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How Allergies Affect Your Skin

Allergic Dermatitis

Spring is in the air, and so are seasonal allergens! Pollen and mold are the main culprits of spring allergies. When we’re outside more in the warmer weather, we’re exposed to these environmental conditions that might irritate our skin. Since there isn’t a cure that can prevent allergic reactions, knowing which substances provoke a reaction and avoiding those substances to manage symptoms will help you deal with springtime allergies.

How Do Allergies Affect Skin?

It isn’t completely understood why certain substances provoke our immune system, although it’s believed that a lack of exposure early in life prompts a response to the unknown substance, even if it’s harmless. There can also be chemical reasons, like in food allergies. The only way to know if someone is allergic to something is to see if their body reacts to the substance, and allergy tests involve exposing a small bit of skin to potential allergens.

Allergies Are an Inflammatory Response

Hives are one of the most common skin symptoms of allergic reactions. If you’re unsure whether you have hives or it’s just contact dermatitis, be on the lookout for groupings of red, raised bumps on your skin that itch. You’ve likely had hives before if you’ve experienced a bug bite. They’re an inflammatory reaction to anything you’re allergic to — and that includes bug saliva! The best way to treat hives is to fully understand what triggered them in the first place.

Watery, itchy eyes are a trademark reaction to seasonal allergies. But did you know that the skin around your eyes can also get irritated and become inflamed as a result of allergies? The most important thing for you to remember when the skin around your eyes is irritated is not to touch it.

While eczema isn’t necessarily an allergic reaction, it can definitely be aggravated by seasonal allergens in your environment. When you have eczema, your skin’s protective layer is abnormally sensitive to external irritants. When your skin is exposed to seasonal allergens, your eczema may flare up and turn into a nasty dry skin rash. If you have eczema and you suffer from seasonal allergies, it’s crucial that you seek a dermatologist’s help managing your condition. Of course, it may happen that your seasonal allergies don’t affect your eczema to the point where it’s affecting your daily life. Moisturizing is absolutely essential, as well.

Diagnosis of Allergies

Having a sound understanding of what you’re allergic to and how it affects your skin is the best line of defense you can have against allergic reactions like rashes and hives. Once you understand what’s causing your inflammation, it’s possible to avoid those particular triggers. If you can’t avoid them all of the time, it’s important to talk to your dermatologist about potential relief solutions. Your dermatologist may recommend an antihistamine or a hydrocortisone cream to help relieve symptoms.

Having an allergy test to know what you’re allergic to is the best way to prevent unknown reactions and outbreaks. You may have already been experiencing cold-like symptoms or rashes and think it may be allergies. In either case, schedule an appointment with one of our experts for an examination to make sure your allergies are kept under control.

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