In the 1998 comedy "There's Something About Mary," Chris Elliot's character, Woogie, breaks out in "love blisters" (hives) every time he encounters Mary (Cameron Diaz).
But for most folks it's much harder to predict what will trigger an unpleasant skin reaction, especially when it comes to encounters with personal hygiene products and makeup.
According to a new report in Jama Internal Medicine online, adverse reactions to personal care products are underreported, and the industry is under-regulated. Dr. Steve Xu, the study's lead author, said that in Europe they've banned 1,000 chemicals from personal care products; in the U.S. only 10 are forbidden.
The most common troublemakers (we know about) are hair and skin care products-triggering rashes, hair loss and other dermatological problems.
A recent Food and Drug Administration statement illustrates this point: "As of November 15, 2016, the FDA had received 1,386 adverse event reports directly from consumers about WEN by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioner products We also are investigating more than 21,000 complaints reported directly to Chaz Dean, Inc., and Guthy Renker, LLC " The company hadn't voluntarily informed the FDA, and the product is still being sold. The FDA cannot order a mandatory recall of a harmful cosmetic product!
So how can you know if a personal care product is safe for you? Try an at-home patch test before using it. Apply and leave the product on the inside of your forearm for 24 hours. It's not an overly sensitive area, so if the product triggers a reaction there, chances are you're at risk for a true allergic reaction.
Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into "The Dr. Oz Show" or visit www.sharecare.com.
(c) 2017 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.