What Is Eczema What Does It Look And Feel Like
Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, red, itchy and bumpy. Its one of many types of dermatitis. Eczema damages the skin barrier function . This loss of barrier function makes your skin more sensitive and more prone to infection and dryness.
Eczema doesnt harm your body. It doesnt mean that your skin is dirty or infected, and its not contagious. There are treatments that can help manage your symptoms.
In the word dermatitis, derm means skin and itis means inflammation. The word as a whole means inflammation of the skin. Eczema originates from the Greek word ekzein which means to boil over or break out.
Tip# 8 Avoid Dust And Pollen
- Avoid putting heavy carpets and curtains. Instead, prefer light cotton curtains and vacuum carpets regularly.
- Prefer leather sofas over thick fabrics because they catch less dust. Leather can be cleaned by wet cloth.
- Use light cotton bed sheets and change them at least 2-3 times in a week.
- Always do wet mopping of the house to remove dust.
- Avoid stuffed toys because they are dust catchers.
If you are allergic to pollens you will have an exacerbation of AD during a particular season. In such cases, you should:
- Stay indoors as much you can.
- When outside ,avoid playing on grass or in gardens.
- Take bath and change clothes when you come back to remove pollens clinging to skin, clothes and hair.
What To Do If You Think Youre Allergic
If you suspect youre having an allergic reaction to skincare products, stop using any of the products that could possibly have caused the reaction. Next, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist as soon as possible. If youre able, its also helpful to record the times your symptoms appeared and which products youve been using. If you can bring them to your appointment, even better.
Bringing this information to your dermatologist will help them narrow down what could be happening. That way, the two of you can figure out which products are best to avoid and which products you can use instead.
Avail Dermatology is here for any of your skincare needs. If you have any further questions about the history of skincare or want to speak to our staff, or give us a call at 770-929-9033. !
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Seasonal Skin Allergies: What They Are And How To Treat Them
When people think of allergies due to seasonal changes, they tend to think of telltale symptoms like sneezing or watery eyes. But in reality, your skin can become just as affected by weather patternsand sometimes, it may need a little TLC to get through the change in seasons and cope with seasonal skin allergies.
Take autumn, for example. The season brings crisp, cooler air and beautiful foliage, but both of those things can invite allergens and irritants that affect your skin. Ragweed pollen, a common cause of itchy skin, can be plentiful in this season. And as leaves fall, mold spores tend to accumulate in piles of foliage and further aggravate skin allergies, especially if you stir them up doing yard work.
What’s worse, those factors are all in addition to how dry, cooler weather can remove moisture from the skin and leave it more prone to irritation and damage. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to abstain from all the outdoor fun this season brings. With a little prep and proper skin careas well as understanding your skin’s unique needsyou can help your skin ride out climate changes year-round.
How To Treat An Allergic Reaction To Skin Care Products
by Andy Millward | Apr 27, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Anyone can have an allergic reaction to a skin care product, myself included . In my case, I was stupid and didnt read the grass allergy warning . However more often than not, you may not be aware of an allergy until youve had a reaction to a skin care product, as the reaction can be less subtle than if the allergen is ingested.
Surprisingly, its more common to react to natural or organic skin care products than synthetic, because of the high amount of naturally active skin care ingredients. A lot of synthetic skin care products are bulked out with inactive fillers, so although you may experience irritation, an allergic reaction is less common.
Its often difficult to know exactly which ingredient caused the reaction, as you can be allergic to literally anything, or at least anything your body perceives to be a foreign invader. The skin is designed to protect the body from outside invaders, so if it comes in to contact with something it identifies as an attacker, the skin sends stress signals to the brain that its under attack. The brain then sends signals to the skin to produce more antibodies. The heat, bumps, rash, hives etc experienced during an allergic reaction is your skins way of expelling the allergens.
Ideally you should always patch test new products , then monitor for 24 hours for any reaction, before applying it to the rest of your face / skin.
Its important you DO NOT
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Use A Saline Sinus Rinse
When allergies cause sinus problems, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommend a person rinse their sinuses with saline. This can remove allergens and clear the airways.
The AAAAI recommend the following saline recipe:
- mix 3 teaspoons of salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- add 1 teaspoon of this mixture to 8 ounces of boiled water
- dissolve the mixture in the water then use as a saline rinse
Sinus rinsing devices can be purchased online or from a pharmacy.
When To See Your Doctor
There are a lot of different conditions that can cause skin sensitivity. Some require more serious and diligent treatment than others. If you suspect your skin condition involves an allergic response, you should consider making an appointment with an allergist.
Although its rare, allergic reactions can cause a life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis. Seek immediate medication attention if you begin experiencing:
- difficulty breathing
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How Common Is Eczema
Eczema affects up to 15 million Americans. Infants are prone to eczema and 10% to 20% will have it. However, nearly half outgrow the condition or have significant improvement as they get older.
Eczema affects males and females equally and is more common in people who have a personal or family history of asthma, environmental allergies and/or food allergies.
Top 10 Home Remedies For Skin Allergies
1. Coconut Oil: It is a popular choice to soften skin, reduce dryness and flaking and itching of skin. Coconut oil reduces inflammation and supports healing of the skin. The Vitamin E, Vitamin K and medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil are key ingredients, which penetrate skin and help in moisturizing and treating skin conditions. It can be used directly or mixed with equal quantity of olive oil. Massage oil gently on skin and leave it on for at least half an hour. Applying coconut oil after a bath keeps the skin soft and problem-free especially, if you have sensitive skin.
2. Honey: It has been used since ages to promote rapid tissue healing, encourage new skin growth and to prevent bacterial growth. You can apply honey directly to skin 2-3 times daily. Leave it for at least 30 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water. One part of honey can also be mixed with one part of cinnamon powder and applied. Drinking lukewarm water with one tablespoon each of honey and lime juice proves helpful in clearing up the skin allergies.
4. Ice Therapy: Hold an ice pack over your eczema patches for 10-15 minutes. This numbs the skin and reduces blood circulation to the affected area. When the ice pack is removed the veins start to dilate and blood rushes to the part carrying nutrients, which flush out the toxins and enable healing of the damaged tissues. This offers prompt relief from itching.
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Effective Home Remedies For Skin Allergy Itching Relief
Skin allergy is a common condition in the worldwide population. Although this is a popular skin disease, you should not underestimate it because it may have a lot of impact on your life. With mild conditions, the disease causes some discomfort to the patients, such as itching, fever, etc. But with severe conditions, skin allergy may leave the scar or skin color changes. For mild conditions, you can get rid of it naturally at home. In this post, we will list out some of theeffective home remedies for skin allergy itching relief.
What Are Some Common Types Of Skin Allergies
The four most common skin allergic conditions include:
- Hives – an outbreak of swollen, pale red bumps on the skin.
- Angioedema – a swelling of the lower layer of skin, often associated with the development of hives.
- Contact Dermatitis – a red, itchy rash caused by direct contact with an allergen.
- Atopic Eczema – a condition that makes the skin red and itchy, which can be flared up and worsened by certain allergens.
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When To See A Healthcare Provider
Of course, see your healthcare provider if you can’t manage your symptomseven if your case is not severe.
You should also see a skin specialist or allergy specialist straightaway if you experience a severe or persistent reaction. They can perform a patch test to see if you are allergic to anything.
Patch tests involve exposure to 20 to 30 common allergens. They are added to patches and applied to the skin. After 48 hours, the patches are removed to check for reactions.
The skin is monitored for up to seven days to see if any irritation develops.
What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Eczema
- How can you tell that I have eczema?
- If I dont have eczema, what other skin condition might I have?
- Is there a specific brand of moisturizer that you recommend?
- Is there a prescription cream that you can prescribe?
- How often should I see a dermatologist regarding my eczema?
- What soaps, lotions, makeup, etc. should I avoid?
- What medications do you recommend?
- What at-home treatments do you recommend?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Eczema is very normal, very common, and very, very uncomfortable. It can affect your quality of life. At its worse it can keep you from sleeping, distract you and make you feel self-conscious in public. See your dermatologist or other healthcare provider as soon as you start to see signs of it. Explore at-home remedies and prescribed treatments.
Youre not alone! 15% to 20% of people experience eczema or another type of dermatitis at some point in their lives.
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When Should You Call The Vet
While these remedies may help your dog feel better, but theyre not going to cure your dogs skin allergies by themselves. Your vet may prescribe topical therapy, anti-itch medication , or medication to treat a present skin infection.
When following a treatment plan, its important to be in regular communication with your vet. If you notice any of the following, you definitely want to give them a call or set up an appointment!
Youve noticed new symptoms. If youre seeing new symptoms or your dog is showing signs of allergies on other parts of their bodies its a good idea to check in with your vet.
Your dog is getting worse even though youre following the treatment plan exactly. If youve been following the treatment plan you made with your vet and your dog isnt getting better or is getting remarkably worse, call the vet. You may need to change the treatment plan to better help your pup.
You want to try something new or make a change to your dogs treatment. If you want to try something new, like some of the products weve listed in this guide, make sure to check with your vet first. You can use the opportunity to update your vet on what youre seeing and ask questions, like could there be side effects or how long will it take to see results?
What Causes This Reaction
To figure out why your skin might be having a negative reaction, you have to consider common skincare ingredients. Unfortunately, this can be tricky, because there are thousands of different types of ingredients used across skincare products. For example, maybe youre allergic to the preservatives or chemical components of certain fragrances in your face wash. Or perhaps the base ingredient in that anti-aging serum doesnt sit well with your skin.
So, if you wake up with a skin reaction, the best way to determine the cause is to retrace your skincare steps and specifically examine the ingredients in those products.
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How To Immediately Treat A Reaction
No matter which kind of reaction you’re having, the first thing you should do is stop using the product. If you’re experiencing any symptoms like swelling in the face or eyes, difficulty breathing due to swelling in the throat, or confusion, you should seek immediate medical care, as these could be signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction. And if you’re not sure what you’re dealing with exactly, it’s crucial to check in with a dermatologist.
But if you just have some mild irritation or allergies, there are some things you can do at home or with the guidance of a dermatologist to feel better:
- Wash the product off your face with cold water or use a cold compress to soothe some of that stinging feeling.
- Apply an over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to help manage the itchiness.
- Take an oral antihistamine to help treat the itchiness.
- Stop using the product!
For more severe reactions, your dermatologist may prescribe a topical corticosteroid cream or an oral steroid medication to reduce the inflammation.
Whats Frustrating Your Skin
If opening up your cosmetics bag feels akin to crossing a minefield because youre never sure which product might trigger an itchy rash or painful breakout, its time to get a better handle on your beauty allergies. As many as 24 percent of Americans will experience an allergic skin reaction at some point during their lives, which isnt surprising when you consider that more than 3,700 substances have been identified as contact allergens meaning they can trigger a rash or other skin reaction and quite a few of them live in the beauty products you use every day. Fortunately, the more you know, the easier it is to sidestep problems. Here are some of the most common irritating ingredients and soothing alternatives.
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Tip#3 Avoid Sudden Temperature Change
- Do not switch on AC immediately after coming from the hot sun.
- Switch off AC/ fan few minutes before leaving in the hot sun.
- Stay indoors in very hot or cold weather.
- In summers, wear loose cotton clothes and take a bath if you are sweating a lot.
- In winters, keep your skin warm with soft clothes.
- Take bath with lukewarm water in both summers or winters, so that body temperature does not change while taking a bath.
What Foods Should I Eat Or Avoid To Reduce My Risk Of Eczema
The connection between eczema and food allergies is unclear. If you have food allergies, then one of the reasons why you must avoid that food is that it may cause or worsen dermatitis. Examples of common allergies include peanuts, dairy, eggs, sugar, alcohol and gluten. Pay attention to what you eat. If your eczema flares up after you eat a certain food, then you might have an allergy to it.
If you dont have a food allergy then there are no foods, including chicken, that will cause or worsen your eczema.
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Tip#10 Avoid Allergy Causing Food
Certain foods like milk, peanuts, eggs, soy, seafood can increase allergy in a few people. If you have noticed exacerbation with that particular food, then avoid it. However, do not avoid food if they do not cause an increase in skin allergy.
Watch this video to know the common cause of skin allergy and how to avoid them:
How To Treat Skin Rash
This article was co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD. Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 145,043 times.
Rashes can happen for a variety of reasons. While most of them aren’t serious, it’s important to learn how to treat basic rashes to keep you and your family safe. Learn how to diagnose common rashes and care for them at home.
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