Ah-choo! Seasonal allergies bring a lot of unwanted symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, sore throat, and so on.
Here’s another item to add to the list: skin reactions.
If you’re one of the millions of people who have seasonal allergies, you’re also more likely to experience skin problems like redness, itching, and swelling. These skin reactions may be painful and uncomfortable, causing you to scratch and damage your skin even further.
The skin care experts at The Derm are sharing tips to help prevent seasonal allergies from affecting your skin along with the best ways to soothe your skin if they do, including when to see a dermatologist for professional treatment.
What are seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies (also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis) happen when your immune system overreacts to something in the environment – usually an airborne allergen, such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander – and releases histamines into your bloodstream.
Your skin may also react to these allergens, leaving you with rashes, scaly patches, hives, eczema, or other unpleasant skin conditions.
Seasonal allergies can occur at any time. But with pollen-filled trees and flowers blooming, spring is often the worst time of year for allergy sufferers – and that means your skin might suffer, too.
Avoiding your seasonal allergy triggers
So, how can you reduce your exposure to the allergens that trigger your symptoms? Here are some tips to follow:
- Close your windows and doors, especially on high pollen days.
- Stay indoors during peak pollen hours.
- The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
- After going outside, remove the clothes you wore and shower or bathe to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
- Don’t forget your pets! If they go outside, wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove any pollen on their fur.
- Wash sheets, pillowcases, and towels every week.
- Avoid lawn mowing, weed pulling, and other gardening chores that stir up pollen and other allergens.
Skin-friendly solutions during allergy season
To keep your skin healthy and help prevent allergic reactions, The Derm recommends that you follow these tips as well:
- Use a dehumidifier in your home to add moisture to the air that hydrates your skin.
- Instead of tight clothes, wear loose-fitting clothes made with cotton or other breathable fabrics.
- Always keep your skin clean and moisturized.
- Ask your dermatologist for skin care product recommendations.
- Avoid fragrances, dyes, and harsh ingredients.
- Never scratch, rub, or exfoliate compromised skin.
How to treat your skin
If you develop an allergic reaction on your skin, there are things you can do at home to help relieve your discomfort, including:
Anti-itch creams/lotions
Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion are popular anti-itch options. Hydrocortisone is a mild corticosteroid that reduces itching and inflammation. Calamine is a mixture of zinc oxide and iron oxide (which gives calamine its signature pink color) used to protect and soothe irritated skin.
Cool compress
A cool compress – such as an ice pack, damp cloth, or even a bag of frozen peas – can help calm a painful rash. You may apply the cold compress for 10-20 minutes at a time, several times a day, but take breaks in between to avoid damaging your skin further. When done, gently pat your skin dry with a towel and apply moisturizer.
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters
HEPA filters are designed to trap over 99% of airborne particles, including allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander that can trigger skin reactions. Using a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter helps reduce these allergens in the air of your home. Many vacuum cleaners come with HEPA filters as well.
When to see a dermatologist
If you have an allergic skin reaction that doesn’t go away on its own, always get it checked out by a dermatologist – even if it gets a little better after home treatment. A skin reaction that doesn’t heal could be a sign of a serious medical condition.
The Derm can do skin and blood tests to determine what allergens are triggering your symptoms, and then create a personalized treatment plan just for you.
Book an appointment at The Derm today
Seasonal allergies are bad enough without adding itchy, painful skin to the mix! Count on the board-certified dermatologists at The Derm to provide you with exceptional patient care and give you the allergy answers you need.
The Derm has two convenient locations to serve you in Glenview and Park Ridge. To learn more about your seasonal allergy treatment options, book an appointment today.
