Face masks and hand sanitiser: could they affect your allergies?

14th October 2020

Face masks and hand sanitiser: could they affect your allergies?

In recent months, we’ve all become accustomed to wearing face masks while out in public and constantly washing our hands with hand sanitiser. This is to prevent us catching and spreading the coronavirus, keeping us and our loved ones safe.

But having to follow these steps might make some people with allergies or sensitive skin worry. From breakouts to dried, painful skin, people with contact dermatitis will be wary of what comes into contact with their face and hands.

Hand sanitiser

To protect you against germs, the alcohol content in hand sanitiser needs to be at least 60%. The problem is that alcohol breaks down the protective barrier on your skin too. For people with sensitive skin, it could lead to more symptoms they don’t like. Things like flaky skin or maybe even blistering.

You should also look at the other ingredients in hand sanitiser, such as dye and fragrances. There may be an ingredient in there which can cause painful flare-ups. If this happens, consider putting it to one side for now and consult with your doctor. They may have a more ideal product for you. 

If you have contact dermatitis, you may already be familiar with products you can use to keep your hands safe. Keep them well moisturised and talk with a specialist if anything changes.

Face masks

The government has mandated we must wear a mask when out in public. For the majority, this is fine. But those with sensitive skin might be wary about wearing something new. When buying a new mask, see if you can find out the material it is made from to see if you would react to it.

If you have a reusable mask that needs washing, you should also be careful about what detergent you use. Though you most likely have something ready that you use on your other clothes.

Something that has become a new problem is being referred to as “maskne” (mask acne). Maskne refers to bumps, rashes, and other skin problems that people get around their nose and mouth, likely due to face masks. Those with existing skin problems are most likely to develop maskne, so be careful when using your mask for long periods.

Protecting yourself and others is extremely important. Unfortunately for some, it may be the case that that irritation is more sinister than it seems. If this is you, then don’t feel you have to suffer just because it’s what the government says. Talk to an allergy specialist who should be able to give you the advice you need to live comfortably and safely.

If you’re looking for more insight into your allergies or would like an allergy test, or simply need advice, get in touch now on 02031 433 449.

What you need to know about contact dermatitis

29th July 2020

What you need to know about contact dermatitis

Fun fact: your skin is the largest organ of your body. You should love the skin you’re in and treat it right. Keep it well moisturised, don’t damage it with too much sun, and enjoy what life gave you. But, for some people, it isn’t that easy.

Their skin might be more sensitive than other people’s and they might be prone to breaking out in a condition. For some, it may be bouts of acne. For others, it could be eczema. Or it might be contact dermatitis, a reaction to certain materials or substances coming into contact with your skin. 

It affects 15 to 20% of people during their lifetime and can be caused by an irritant on the skin or something they are directly allergic to. So how do people cope with contact dermatitis and how can you minimise its impact on you?

Symptoms

First, let’s look at what contact dermatitis can do to your skin. Signs of the condition include dry, itchy skin, potentially with painful blisters and cracks. There might be a noticeable red rash and it could happen within a few hours of coming into contact with an irritant or maybe even a few days.

While it can affect any part of your body, it tends to happen mostly around your hands and face. These are the areas most likely to come into contact with the irritant, so that makes sense.

Can you prevent contact dermatitis?

While you can’t 100% guarantee never having a reaction again, there are ways you could potentially decrease the chances. What’s helpful at this point is knowing what causes your reactions. Some people, for example, react to metals, such as those in jewellery. Or it could be because of a certain perfume or detergent you use.

If you know what causes your reaction, it’s easier to avoid it. If you aren’t sure, then it’s best to talk to a doctor or allergy specialist about it. They can take you through the process to discover what causes your reactions. It’s best to seek professional help rather than trying to figure it out yourself.

Other than that, you should always treat your skin right. Wash your hands in warm water, not hot water, and use soap gently. Do the same when drying them. Talk with your doctor about what soaps to use and any moisturisers they recommend.

Living with contact dermatitis isn’t nice, but it is manageable. If you ever need help, your doctor will always be happy to help.

For more advice, talk to one of our allergy specialists. We have the expertise to deal with a range of allergies and give you the advice you need. To find out more, get in touch on 02031 433 449.

Everyday products that might be causing skin irritation

28th December 2018

Everyday products that might be causing skin irritation

Even if you’re an adult, you could still have an undiagnosed allergy. Maybe your skin flares up, and you aren’t sure why. You might not know it, but there are several surprising products that could be causing it.

Sometimes, finding the trigger that’s causing your dermatitis or eczema is challenging. In this part of our continuing series, we have some more lesser-known triggers that just might be causing you trouble.

Hand sanitizer

While this product is useful when there’s no sign of soap in sight, hand sanitizer can, unfortunately, cause irritation. Ingredients such as alcohol can cause sensitive skin to become inflamed, break into hives, or trigger existing skin problems like dermatitis or eczema.

To solve this, why not try alcohol-free hand sanitizer instead?

Plasters

Have you ever put a plaster over a cut only to find that your injury was worse afterwards? It could be infected, or you might just have an allergy to plasters. The sticky adhesive on plasters contains glues such as methacrylates and epoxy diacrylates.

Unfortunately, these glues – much like the ingredients in hand sanitizer – can cause your skin to become inflamed, itchy, and sore. Luckily there is an easy solution for when you need a plaster – anti-allergy plasters. You can buy them in most supermarkets and drugstores.

Sweeteners

If you like to add sweetener to your morning coffee, you might want to rethink doing so. Sweeteners, such as Stevia, can trigger allergies. As the sweetener is derived from a plant, this means it may come into contact with allergens such as pollen. By consuming sweeteners, you could be exposing yourself to triggers.

We highly recommend getting tested for allergies no matter what your age. Knowing what to avoid is important and can make your life that much more comfortable.

If you think you might be suffering from allergies or contact dermatitis, why not order one of our home testing kits today? Find out once and for all what’s causing your skin irritation. Request an allergy test from us or visit our website.

Allergic skin conditions: what you need to know

14th December 2018

Allergic skin conditions: what you need to know

The skin is your largest organ, so you should take care of it as such. While we would all love healthy, clear skin, for some this is a near impossibility thanks to our allergies. Skin allergies can exacerbate conditions like urticaria or dermatitis. At their worst, they can also lead to asthmatic reactions, putting your life on the line. It’s estimated that 60% of us suffer from a skin condition.

Dealing with allergies is difficult enough, but when you suffer from a skin problem, it is incredibly challenging. But what are the most common conditions and what causes them?

Atopic dermatitis

Belonging to the same group as eczema, atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease. Although it is common during infancy and childhood, not all sufferers will grow out of it and will continue to deal with the condition throughout adulthood. It’s caused when the skin isn’t able to properly retain moisture, causing the skin to dry out and blister, crack, and bleed. The skin is itchy, hot, and inflamed.

Unlike urticaria, atopic dermatitis doesn’t clear up overnight and is often a lifelong affliction. Mainly because it is a genetic condition, something which separates it from the similar contact dermatitis. Family members suffering from an allergic condition can even pass it on to their children. Triggers typically include extreme cold or hot weather, and chemicals like those found in soaps, detergents, and cosmetics.

Urticaria

Sometimes referred to as hives, weals, or welts, urticaria can cause the skin to itch, red bumps to form, and inflammation to rise. It usually forms on patches of the skin, but it can spread further across the body. Although it usually clears after 24 hours, it can affect the skin for around six weeks. We call it ‘acute urticaria’.

It can also manifest in chronic urticaria which causes the condition to last over several years. High levels of histamine in the body are a primary cause of the condition. When histamine, as well as other chemicals, are released into the skin after exposure to allergens, the blood vessels open, causing the skin to become blotchy and inflamed.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed, we highly recommend that you get tested for allergies. By doing so, you will be able to start your journey to living an itch-free life. Find out what environmental or chemical triggers you might have.

If you think you might be suffering from allergies, why not order one of our home testing kits today? Find out once and for all what’s causing your skin to itch. Request an allergy test from us or visit our website.