After a harsh and gloomy winter, the arrival of the spring season is almost a breath of fresh air. The sun starts to shine, the breeze is fresher than ever, and flowers begin to bloom. However, as this new season unfolds, it brings with it an uninvited friend—the nasty seasonal allergies!
Seasonal allergies are at an all-time high during spring. Trees and grasses begin to pump out pollen causing people to suffer from sneezes and watery eyes.
But did you know that this can also wreak havoc on your skin? To help us navigate through this transition, proactivity is key! Come and let’s look into the common spring skin allergies and the different ways we can ease them.
5 common skin allergies during spring
1. Eczema
While someone with eczema can have it all year round, exposure to seasonal allergens may exacerbate the condition. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory condition that causes the skin to be vulnerable to various irritants. This results in skin that’s itchy, crusty, and extremely dry.
To prevent exacerbation, strengthen the skin’s protective layer by cleansing and moisturizing with hypoallergenic products. Once rashes develop, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid creams and other prescribed medications to hasten relief.
2. Hay fever
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a highly common allergic reaction that induces non-stop sneezes, watery eyes, congestion, and yes… skin itch! The usual triggers are pollen, mold, insects, and pet dander.
Since hay fever can cause your skin to itch, try your best to refrain from scratching vigorously to avoid the worsening of rashes. Over-the-counter relief with diphenhydramine may be applied to reduce the irritation as well.
3. Hives
Urticaria, or what we commonly know as hives, is another skin reaction triggered by allergens that are abundant during spring. The hallmarks of this condition are red raised welts that turn pale in the center especially when pressed on. These are excessively itchy and may induce a stinging or burning sensation.
In milder cases, hives get better on their own without treatment. But once the symptoms become unbearable, your doctor may prescribe antihistamine medication to tone the allergic reaction down. Over-the-counter itch medications can also assist in the relief of symptoms.
4. Heat rash
As the sun shines brighter after months of cold winter, pores may become blocked and may trap sweat under the skin. This is called a heat rash and may cause bumps and blisters in areas of the skin exposed to friction.
Now since heat is the culprit, simply cool the skin and clean it thoroughly. Make sure to reduce the exposure to heat as well to prevent these rashes from developing. If kept cool and clean, symptoms should subside completely in about a couple of days.
5. Mosquito and insect bites
With the warmer temperature comes the influx of pesky mosquitos and insects. If you’re vulnerable to insect bites, you’d know the pains of having an insect bite turn into a horrible skin discoloration. So to avoid having to suffer from skin pigmentations, prevention is always better than cure.
If you’re particularly prone to insect bites, slap on some insect repellents with 10-30% DEET to keep the bug bites at bay. Now if the nasty insects have already left their marks, an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream and antihistamine medications should help tremendously.
There you have it! Make sure to be one step ahead by making sure you have your relief creams, antihistamine medications, and bug sprays ready even before the allergy hits. Remember that when it comes to the allergy season, being proactive can save you from a whole deal of discomfort. Thus, it’s best to be prepared so you can stay free from the itch and stinging rashes all throughout this season. ♡
If you wanna proactively transition through varying seasons, come and join us in our #AllNaturalGlow campaign. All you have to do is subscribe here and follow us on Instagram. Let’s get that glow going!
Sources: