Your Skin and Seasonal Allergies: What You Need to Know
The leaves aren’t the only thing that changes as summer becomes autumn. Your skin and tolerance to the change in the weather may change, too. This is known as seasonal allergies and is common in many men and women of all ages. The dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute can help you put a plan in place to try and prevent seasonal allergies from occurring and affecting your skin, and teach you how to combat them if they do occur.
What to Know About Seasonal Allergies
About Seasonal Allergies
Sneezing, congestion, a runny nose, and other symptoms often reflect seasonal allergies. They occur due to an increase in pollen in the air causing skin irritation to those with a low pollen tolerance. Pollen increase occurs as the seasons change and the weather changes from fall to winter and spring to summer. When our immune system identifies an allergen, it responds by releasing histamines into the bloodstream, ultimately causing an allergic reaction.
Those with seasonal allergies are likely to experience an increase in dry, itchy, and irritated skin. If your skin is dry, use a hydrating cream that contains glycerin to rehydrate the areas of dry skin. Whenyou have severe dryness, hives and scaly patches may appear as well. If either of these occur, use calamine lotion to ease the itchiness. If your nasal area is dry from it running, ensure you are using appropriate tissues or a clean handkerchief. This will help alleviate your nose from drying out.
Saving Your Skin From Seasonal Allergies
Pollen is most often in the air on dry, windy days and it is recommended that those with a low pollen tolerance stay inside on these days to avoid seasonal allergies from occurring and skin from being affected. Another common trigger of allergies is lawn mowing or weeding. These both stir up pollen allergens. If you have seasonal allergies, it is best to hire someone to take care of your yard work to avoid triggering your allergies and you are less likely to experience a runny nose, itchy eyes, and itchy skin.
Additionally, there are steps to take inside your home to help reduce the pollen in the air. Pollen counts are highest in the morning and late at night, so it is best to keep your windows shut during those times. Keeping your air conditioning on in your home and using a dehumidifier can also help. Using an air conditioner and dehumidifier will also help keep your skin from drying out.
Oral antihistamines, decongestants and nasal spray are the best over-the-counter medications that can help ease allergy symptoms and effects to your skin. Oral antihistamines help relieve sneezing, itching and runny noses. Decongestants are best for clearing the nasal passages but should only be used for a few days. If the problem persists, nasal spray can be used more consistently. Nasal spray is also good to have on hand for those who know they experience seasonal allergies and can be used before symptoms even begin. Not only while oral antihistamines, decongestants and nasal spray help you feel better, they will help your skin to retain moisture again and clear up the dryness that may have occurred.
If you have tried a variety of medications each year and seasonal allergies still occur and your skin is still affected, it may be time to see your dermatologist. A dermatologist can provide skin and blood tests to determine what allergens trigger your symptoms. They can then determine specific treatments for you.
Contact Us for Treatment
If you experience seasonal allergies the dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute want to help you prepare and combat them once and for all. If you are in Bloomington, Illinois or the surrounding areas, get in touch with us.