question: Why does irritated or dry skin sting/hurt when you apply lotion?
comment: Chapped skin has micro cracks on it. Think of them as very small little cuts. So, you are putting lotion on those little cuts and it can sting.
passages: Absorption through the skin is increased when lotions are applied and then covered with an occlusive layer, when they are applied to large areas of the body, or when they are applied to damaged or broken skin.
  
  Section::::Potential health risks.:Allergens.
  
  There is currently no regulation over use of the term "hypoallergenic", and even pediatric skin products with the label were found to still contain allergens. Those with eczema are especially vulnerable to an allergic reaction with lotion, as their compromised skin barrier allows preservatives to bind with and activate immune cells.
   All topical products, including lotions, can result in the percutaneous (through the skin) absorption of their ingredients. Though this has some use as a route of drug administration, it more commonly results in unintended side effects. For example, medicated lotions such as diprolene are often used with the intention of exerting only local effects, but absorption of the drug through the skin can occur to a small degree, resulting in systemic side effects such as hyperglycemia and glycosuria. 
   Topical solutions can be marketed as rinses, sprays, or drops, and are generally of low viscosity and often use water or alcohol in the base. The solution can cause drying of the skin if alcohol is used in the base. These are usually a powder dissolved in water, alcohol, and sometimes oil. Alcohol in topical steroids can frequently cause drying if it is used as a base ingredient. There is significant variability between brands. There is a risk of irritation, depending on the preservative(s) and fragrances used in the base. Some examples of topical solutions are given below:
   Lotions can be used for the delivery to the skin of medications such as:
  
  BULLET::::- Antibiotics
  
  BULLET::::- Antiseptics
  
  BULLET::::- Antifungals
  
  BULLET::::- Corticosteroids
  
  BULLET::::- Anti-acne agents
  
  BULLET::::- Soothing, smoothing, moisturizing or protective agents (such as calamine)
  
  Section::::Occupational use.
  
  Since health care workers must wash their hands frequently to prevent disease transmission, hospital-grade lotion is recommended to prevent skin dermatitis caused by frequent exposure to cleaning agents in the soap. A 2006 study found that application of hospital-grade lotion after hand washing significantly reduced skin roughness and dryness.
   Since contact dermatitis relies on an irritant or an allergen to initiate the reaction, it is important for the patient to identify the responsible agent and avoid it. This can be accomplished by having patch tests, one of various methods commonly known as allergy testing. The top three allergens found in patch tests from 2005–06 were: nickel sulfate (19.0%), Myroxylon pereirae (Balsam of Peru, 11.9%), and fragrance mix I (11.5%).
   Depending on their composition, lotions can be comedogenic, meaning that they can result in the increased formation of comedones (clogged hair follicles). People who are prone to acne or forming comedones often prefer lotions that are designed to be non-comedogenic (not causing outbreaks).
  
  Section::::Potential health risks.:Systemic absorption.
   BULLET::::- Pollen from trees, grass and ragweed
  
  BULLET::::- Animal skin and secretions such as saliva
  
  BULLET::::- Perfumes
  
  BULLET::::- Cosmetics
  
  BULLET::::- Skin medicines
  
  BULLET::::- Air pollution
  
  BULLET::::- Smoke
  
  BULLET::::- Dust mites
  
  BULLET::::- Balsam of Peru (used in food and drink for flavoring, in perfumes and toiletries for fragrance, and in medicine and pharmaceutical items for healing properties)
  
  BULLET::::- Eye drops (A reaction to preservatives in eye drops can cause toxic conjunctivitis)
  
  BULLET::::- Contact lens solution (some preservatives can irritate the eye overtime resulting in conjunctivitis)
   Since thickness and consistency are key factors in lotions and creams, it is important to understand the manufacturing process that determines viscosity.
  
  Manufacturing lotions and creams can be completed in two cycles:
  
  BULLET::::1. Emollients and lubricants are dispersed in oil with blending and thickening agents.
  
  BULLET::::2. Perfume, color and preservatives are dispersed in the water cycle. Active ingredients are broken up in both cycles depending on the raw materials involved and the desired properties of the lotion or cream.
  
  A typical oil-in-water manufacturing process might go like this:
   "Tingle" is a standard description for indoor tanning lotions that contain ingredients that increase blood flow at the skin level, or cause a "tingling" sensation.
  
  Section::::Ingredients.:Bronzers.
   Today, many creams and lotions, commonly based on vegetable oils/butters, petroleum oils/jellies, and even lanolin are widely available. As a preventive measure, such products may be rubbed onto the affected area as needed (often every other day) to prevent dry skin. The skin is then patted dry to prevent removal of natural lipids from the skin.
  
  Section::::Treatment.
   Section::::Medicine delivery.
   BULLET::::- Sap from certain species of mangrove and agave
  
  BULLET::::- Soluble salts of platinum – "see" platinosis
  
  BULLET::::- Thiomersal – mercury compound used in local antiseptics and in vaccines
  
  BULLET::::- Topical anesthetics – such as pramoxine or diphenhydramine, after prolonged use
  
  BULLET::::- Topical steroid – "see" steroid allergy
  
  BULLET::::- Urushiol – oily coating from plants of Toxicodendron genus – poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Also found in mango plants, mango skin, cashews, and smoke from burning urushiol-containing plants, which can cause skin as well as severe lung irritation.
  
  Section::::Mechanism.
   Contact dermatitis is of two types: allergic (resulting from a delayed reaction to an allergen, such as poison ivy, nickel, or Balsam of Peru), and irritant (resulting from direct reaction to a detergent, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, for example).
   Lotions are similar to solutions but are thicker and tend to be more emollient in nature than solution. They are usually an oil mixed with water, and more often than not have less alcohol than solutions. Lotions can be drying if they contain a high amount of alcohol. There is a significant variability in the ingredients between different lotions.
  
  Section::::Classes.:Shake lotion.
  
  A mixture that separates into two or three parts with time. Frequently an oil mixed with a water-based solution needs to be shaken into suspension before use.
  
  "Shake well before use".
  
  Section::::Classes.:Cream.
   The first step in treating the condition is appropriate recognition of the clinical problem, followed by identification of the culprit chemical and the source of that chemical. Corticosteroid creams should be used carefully and according to the prescribed directions because when overused over longer periods of time they can cause thinning of the skin. Also, in some instances such as poison ivy dermatitis calamine lotion and cool oatmeal baths may relieve itching.
   Nettle agent
  
  Nettle agents or urticants are a variety of chemical warfare agents that produce corrosive skin and tissue injury upon contact, resulting in erythema, urticaria, intense itching, and a hive-like rash.
  
  Most nettle agents, such as the best known and studied nettle agent, phosgene oxime, are often grouped with the vesicant (blister agent) chemical agents. However, because nettle agents do not cause blisters, they are not true vesicants.
   Dermatologists can prescribe lotions to treat or prevent skin diseases. It is not unusual for the same drug ingredient to be formulated into a lotion, cream and ointment. Creams are the most convenient of the three but are inappropriate for application to regions of hairy skin such as the scalp, while a lotion is less viscous and may be readily applied to these areas (many medicated shampoos are in fact lotions). Historically, lotions also had an advantage in that they may be spread thinly compared to a cream or ointment and may economically cover a large area of skin, but product research has steadily eroded this distinction. Non-comedogenic lotions are recommended for use on acne prone skin.
   Section::::Preparation.
  
  There are no major preparations required for skin testing. At the first consult, the subject's medical history is obtained and physical examination is performed. All consumers should bring a list of their medications because some may interfere with the testing. Other medications may increase the chance of a severe allergic reaction. Medications that commonly interfere with skin testing include the following:
  
  BULLET::::- Histamine antagonists like Allegra, Claritin, Benadryl, Zyrtec
  
  BULLET::::- Antidepressants like Amitriptyline, Doxepin
  
  BULLET::::- Antacid like Tagamet or Zantac
   People with dermatitis or other skin irritations should have the test performed on an unaffected part of the body. If a child needs to have this test performed, it may be helpful to explain how the test will feel, and even practice or demonstrate on a doll. The more familiar the child is with what will happen and why, the less anxiety he or she will feel. When the antigen is injected, there may be a slight stinging or burning sensation. There may also be mild itching at the site of injection afterwards.
  
  Section::::Normal values.
   BULLET::::- Paraben-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Paraphenylenediamine dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Permanent wave preparation-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Phenothiazine drug-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Photoallergic
  
  BULLET::::- Photoirritant
  
  BULLET::::- Plant derivative-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Pollen-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Polyester resin dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Propylene glycol-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Protein contact dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Quaternium-15 hypersensitivity
  
  BULLET::::- Reed dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Rosewood dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Rosin dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Rubber dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Seed-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Shoe dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Solvent-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Sorbic acid-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Subjective irritant contact dermatitis (sensory irritant contact dermatitis)
  
  BULLET::::- Sunscreen-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Systemic contact dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Tear gas dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Textile dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Traumatic irritant contact dermatitis
  
  BULLET::::- Tree-associated plant-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Tree-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Tulip fingers
  
  BULLET::::- Urshiol-induced
  
  BULLET::::- Vegetable-induced
  
  Section::::Dermatitis.:Eczema.
   BULLET::::- Step 1: Add flake/powder ingredients to the oil being used to prepare the oil phase.
  
  BULLET::::- Step 2: Disperse active ingredients.
  
  BULLET::::- Step 3: Prepare the water phase containing emulsifiers and stabilizers.
  
  BULLET::::- Step 4: Mix the oil and water to form an emulsion. (Note: This is aided by heating to between 110-185 F (45-85 C) depending on the formulation and viscosity desired.)
  
  BULLET::::- Step 5: Continue mixing until the end product is completed
   A complete patient history combined with negative allergic patch testing is usually necessary to reach a correct diagnosis. The simplest form of physical irritant contact dermatitis results from prolonged rubbing, although the diversity of implicated irritants is far wider. Examples include paper friction, fiberglass, and scratchy clothing.
  
  Section::::Physical irritant contact dermatitis.:Low humidity.
   In the prick, scratch and scrape tests, a few drops of the purified allergen are gently pricked on to the skin surface, usually the forearm. This test is usually done in order to identify allergies to pet dander, dust, pollen, foods or dust mites. Intradermal injections are done by injecting a small amount of allergen just beneath the skin surface. The test is done to assess allergies to drugs like penicillin or bee venom.
   Careful note should be taken in choosing the right mixing equipment for lotion manufacturing to avoid agglomerates and long processing times. It can make all the difference in manufacturing time and costs. Conventional agitators can present a number of problems including agglomerates and longer processing times. On the other hand, high shear in-line mixers can produce quality lotions and creams without many of the complications encountered with conventional mixers. Sonolation is also a process that is growing in popularity.
  
  Section::::Potential health risks.
  
  Section::::Potential health risks.:Acne.
   In some cases, an excessive use of perfumes may cause allergic reactions of the skin. For instance, acetophenone, ethyl acetate and acetone while present in many perfumes, are also known or potential respiratory allergens. Nevertheless, this may be misleading, since the harm presented by many of these chemicals (either natural or synthetic) is dependent on environmental conditions and their concentrations in a perfume. For instance, linalool, which is listed as an irritant, causes skin irritation when it degrades to peroxides, however the use of antioxidants in perfumes or reduction in concentrations can prevent this. As well, the furanocoumarin present in natural extracts of grapefruit or celery can cause severe allergic reactions and increase sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.
  