Plowing through boxes of tissues to plug your streaming nose and constantly itching yourself red and raw – yep, dealing with allergies can be an absolute drag. Especially when it comes to the havoc they can wreak on your skin. If you want to beat them, your best defence is a good offence. Here are some of the most frustrating symptoms and how you can prevent them from even occurring in the first place.
Hives
Urticaria, or hives, is a common skin condition distinguished by red, itchy bumps appearing anywhere on the body. They can range in size, sometimes sticking around for days and even weeks. While many people seem to think that touching an allergen is the trigger for the annoying blemishes, it’s also possible to breakout out after ingesting something that doesn’t sit right.
Puffiness
If you look like someone has blown your face up like a balloon, the puffiness might not be a sign you slept poorly last night, but rather a subtle side effect of allergies. Debra Jaliman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City told Women’s Health that allergies can cause your skin to become swollen and irritated thanks to seepage of serum into the skin.
Dermatitis
Noticing red, itchy, scaly rashes on your skin? This inflammation might be dermatitis, a common allergic reaction. There are two types, atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, and contact dermatitis. Eczema can have a range of triggers including different foods, animal dander, dust mites or certain fabrics. Contact dermatitis is often caused by nickel, perfumes, rubber (latex) products, cosmetics and dyes.
THE FIX
Figure out the trigger
Some allergies can be controlled with over the counter meds, but persistent and debilitating reactions should be dealt with by a professional. Book in an appointment with an allergist to get your allergy accurately diagnosed and to set out an effective treatment plan. The guessing game will get you nowhere.
Purify your home
After you’ve determined what is setting your skin off, it’s time to remove it from your surroundings. Investing in the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link is the perfect start. This stylish little purifier removes harmful indoor pollution, capturing gases and 99.95% of fine particles1 including allergens like dust mites and pollen. You can even monitor your indoor air quality via the handy Dyson Link app2.
Read the fine print
Look carefully at the products you’re lathering up with as they could include offending ingredients, with fragrances and preservatives often to blame. Always go for products with the least amount of ingredients and patch test them 48 hours prior to use. If you’re experiencing irritation speak to a medical professional about using a mild topical steroid or an oral antihistamine.
1 Particle capture tested to EN1822. Gaseous capture tested to JEM 1467 (acetic acid, acetaldehyde, ammonia) and GB/T18801 (formaldehyde, benzene) and DTM-003282 (NO2). Gaseous capture rates vary.
2 App functionality may vary by market. Requires WiFi and app enabled device. Standard data and messaging rates may apply
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