Pharmacist urges Brits to do 24-hour test before October 31

Pharmacist urges Brits to do 24-hour test before October 31 Health experts are encouraging people to avoid three things to protect their skin this Halloween A pharmacist is urging people to do a 24-hour test before October 31 for an important health reason. Many people will dress up for Halloween, including wearing makeup and face paint. However, health experts say they could be putting their skin at risk if they aren't careful. As October 31 draws closer, pharmacists are urging Brits to be cautious about what they put on their skin when dressing up this Halloween. Augustina Vasilachi, a Professional Standards Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, has highlighted the potential risks of using certain Halloween makeup products and shared three things anyone celebrating the occasion should avoid to keep their skin healthy. Augustina said: "While reaching for a tube of fake blood from last year’s costume, or picking up a pack of face paints may seem harmless, this could risk irritating your face, eyes and other parts of your body, causing potentially unpleasant reactions. That’s why we’re encouraging all Brits to prioritise their skin health and think more carefully about what they put on their skin this Halloween." Conduct a patch test before October 31 Augustina urges people to do the 24-hour test before Halloween. She said: "Conducting a proper patch test before using any makeup or other cosmetic products this Halloween may help reduce your risk of an adverse reaction." She recommends the following method: - Apply a pea-sized amount of the product to a small area of clean skin on your inner forearm or behind your ear. - Keep the area dry and undisturbed for at least 24 hours. - After 24-48 hours, rinse the product off and continue to monitor the area for any reaction. - Look out for signs of irritation, such as itching, redness, swelling or discomfort. - If you experience any reaction, wash the area thoroughly and discard the product. Do not apply it to your face or other parts of your body. A patch test before makeup is important because it helps you identify potential skin allergies, chemical sensitivities, or irritants before applying the product all over your face. Some reactions do not show up immediately; testing a small amount on your wrist or inner elbow for 24-48 hours helps catch delayed sensitivities. There are rare cases where a full anaphylaxis is triggered. If you do develop difficulty breathing, call 999. Seek advice from a pharmacist, GP or NHS 111 if you develop a significant skin reaction or symptoms affecting your eyes. Old and expired products According to Augustina, all Brits should avoid certain things to protect their skin health this Halloween. She first stressed the importance of avoiding old and expired products. She said: "Over time, cosmetics can become a breeding ground for bacteria, especially once they’ve been opened and exposed to the germs from hands, brushes, or in the air. By applying old or expired products to your skin, you risk spreading these bacteria to your face and other parts of your body, potentially leading to irritation, breakouts, or even infections." Cheap or counterfeit products The pharmacist added: "Some counterfeit or non-compliant makeup products sold could be unregulated, meaning that they could contain harmful ingredients like heavy metals and allergens that can irritate or cause damage to skin and eyes. "To avoid this, only purchase products from trusted retailers, and be wary of those that do not have ingredient lists, are missing traceability information like a batch number or barcode, or come with suspiciously low prices." Poster paint, craft glue, and other non-cosmetic products Augustina's warning includes being mindful when using non-cosmetic products. She said: "Things like poster paints, craft glue, and marker pens often contain harsh chemicals that are not suitable for use on the skin." She added: "To avoid risking skin damage and irritation, only use face paints, makeup, and other cosmetics that are specifically formulated for use on the skin."