Monthly Archives: June 2020

Is Your Face Mask Causing Skin Irritation? Here’s What You Need to Know

The authorities are constantly reminding people to wear facial masks, especially when going outside. Although met with controversies, wearing protective masks is one proven way of protecting oneself against viruses including COVID-19. Those with a history of asthma and allergies have to be extra careful during these times.

In case of allergic reactions, make sure to visit an asthma doctor or an allergist specialist. An allergy clinic near you may not be open right now, but most likely they can accommodate online consultations. Nonetheless, you should take immediate action if you experience allergy symptoms and prevent further complications.

The downside of wearing a face mask

In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, wearing a face mask is a must. This is to prevent the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 virus. There are different types of masks meant for specific users.

Normally, ordinary people can wear typical surgical or cloth masks. On the other hand, medical personnel should wear N95 or KN95 masks aside from their personal protective equipment (PPE).

However, there is one downside of wearing a face mask. There are some people who actually experience skin irritations when wearing one. Common symptoms of skin irritation due to face masks include:

  • Tiny pimple clusters
  • Rashes
  • Scaling

Your breath or either mucus or saliva traps the oil and sweat under the mask, hence leading to skin irritation. These skin irritations usually appear around the nose and mouth area which can look unsightly and uncomfortable.

That is why wearing a face mask can be tricky. On the one hand, wearing a face mask is important especially when outside. But there is that risk of skin irritation due to the mask you are wearing. If the face mask does cause skin irritation, you can consult an allergist doctor. Other than that, how should you deal with this?

Choosing the right face mask

One way to prevent possible skin irritation is by choosing the right face mask. As an ordinary citizen, you can choose a face mask that is made from soft and breathable material. For example, there are face masks that are made from 100 percent cotton.

That means you should not only choose face masks with cute designs. Instead, it should also feel comfortable and fit on your face just right. There are cotton face masks available that you can buy in stores, but you can also make one from old t-shirts.

Meanwhile, experts do not suggest using polyester, rayon, and nylon materials for face masks. These kinds of fabric are not breathable and prone to damping due to sweat and can lead to skin irritation. In the case of skin irritations, make sure to contact an allergy doctor right away.

However, some people may not be allergic to the fabric material but with its other components. For example, the allergic reaction might be due to the adhesive or even the detergent used to wash the mask. Nonetheless, make sure to consult a dermatologist or an allergy physician before getting another mask.

But even if you are not able to contact medical personnel about your face mask-related skin irritation, you can determine if it is indeed caused by one. For example, a rash on the nose area might be due to the adhesive strip. On the other hand, it might be because of the ear strap material if you notice some irritation in your ear area.

How to protect your skin from face mask irritation

Aside from choosing the right mask, you should also make sure to protect your skin. Here are tips to prevent face mask-related skin irritations.

Put moisturizer on your face.

Putting moisturizer is one of the best things to do to prevent skin irritations. This helps lessen friction between your skin and mask that causes the irritation. For better results, apply an oil-free facial moisturizer every two hours while wearing a mask.

Wash your face more often.

But make sure not to use soaps with harsh ingredients as much as possible. Instead, use gentle soaps to wash and clean your face. If you have other skin issues, continue using your medication or skincare product. Better yet, limit the use of foundation and makeup – it won’t be that noticeable anyway when you wear a mask.

Consult medical experts in case of skin irritations.

If you do experience skin irritations due to wearing a face mask, better consult a skin expert or an allergy specialist.

Protect yourself from the virus, but protect your skin too

These are some useful tips that you should follow to prevent skin irritations due to face masks. For any of your allergy concerns, consult an allergist specialist in Manassas VA.

Cryotherapy for Allergy Treatment: How It Works and Is It Worth It?

One of the most common symptoms of an allergic reaction is a runny nose. However, this is usually mistaken as a symptom of a common cold. But you should know that your runny nose is not because of a cold. If you are not sure, you can find an allergy doctor to determine whether your sniffles are indeed due to an allergic reaction.

Is it really an allergic reaction?

Sometimes, you might not need to go to an allergist if you have a runny nose. You can find out by yourself if your runny nose is because of an allergy. For one, if those sniffles have been bugging you for the past couple of weeks, chances are it is due to allergies.

This condition is called chronic rhinitis. If you experience this, you should seek immediate treatment. Visit an allergist so that you will feel better and get rid of the annoying sniffling all day and all night. Allergic rhinitis can be due to common allergens like pet dander, pollen, dust mites, as well as household products, perfume, and even hormonal changes.

There is another type of rhinitis called the vasomotor rhinitis. It usually happens due to nasal hyperactivity, but can be treated using steroid sprays. However, steroid sprays may only provide relief in a short amount of time. Another treatment one can consider is through cryotherapy.

What is cryotherapy?

Perhaps you have already heard about cryotherapy. Some people associate cryotherapy with exposing the body to freezing cold temperatures. Cryotherapy is also being used to hasten muscle recovery. It is also said that NBA superstar Lebron James is an avid fan of cryotherapy.

However, cryotherapy can also be a breakthrough treatment for allergic reactions such as rhinitis. The difference is that cryotherapy for allergy treatment won’t require you to expose your body to freezing temperatures. Instead, it involves freezing some nasal nerves to lessen your sniffles.

Freezing the nasal nerves will block the signals that cause congestion, runny nose, or sneezing. This treatment is said to be ideal for those with chronic allergies or those whose allergic and asthma treatments are not effective.

But before trying any treatments for the first time, it is also a good idea to consult an allergist specialist. You might also have to undergo allergy testing to make sure that you are getting the right treatment through cryotherapy.

How cryotherapy works

Cryotherapy is a minimally-invasive treatment that involves using local anesthesia and a cryotherapy probe. The latter will then be inserted into the nostril and freeze the nasal nerves. The end result should supposedly lessen or eliminate stuffy or runny nose. This treatment can promise long-term relief from runny nose and other symptoms of rhinitis.

The treatment itself is painless, except for the insertion part. The entire treatment may require several sessions for better results, but it may depend on the therapy provider. Your allergy doctor might be aware of this treatment, while some might not. Nonetheless, it is best to consult a doctor first before trying any medication or treatment.

What happens after cryotherapy?

Undergoing cryotherapy won’t take a lot of your time to recover. Although, you might have to lie low a little bit and avoid strenuous activities in the meantime. You might also expect some side effects such as a noticeable increased nasal congestion. But you can also expect significant improvements around two to six weeks after the therapy.

It is also important to note that cryotherapy won’t get rid of your allergies entirely. This is because allergies are mostly an immune system concern. That said, cryotherapy has nothing to do with your immune system. Instead, it will provide only treatment by doing something on your nasal nerves.

Also, cryotherapy may not be recommended for those with specific health issues such as:

  • Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
  • Raynaud’s disease
  • Cryoglobulinemia
  • Cold urticarial
  • Open wounds or specific skin conditions
  • Diabetes
  • Sensitivity to cold temperatures
  • Blood disorders
  • Neuropathic conditions

If you experience frequent rhinitis and do not have the abovementioned health conditions, then you can try cryotherapy. It does not require surgery although it is minimally invasive.

There will be some mild discomfort but you will notice results after a few weeks post-treatment. However, make sure to consult an allergist doctor in Germantown prior to your planned cryotherapy treatment.

Can Yoga Really Help Treat Skin Allergies?

The skin is the body’s largest organ in terms of surface area and weight. It protects your internal organs and your body in general. That is why you have to take care of our skin especially if you have allergies.

Speaking of allergies, you should consult an allergist doctor if you experience signs of allergic reactions. Allergies can come from various allergens such as food, household products, and outdoor elements. Some may experience runny nose and sneezing, while others experience skin irritations.

Dealing with skin allergies

Those with skin allergies such as atopic dermatitis or eczema would usually struggle with dealing with it. No one wants to feel uncomfortable scratching their skin and even leave painful scabs later on. If you are one of those who experience such, you should consult an allergy specialist immediately.

There are many allergens that trigger such allergic reactions. Nonetheless, it can affect your daily life, confidence, and self-esteem. The National Eczema Foundation reports that there are more than 30 million Americans affected with common skin issues like eczema and atopic dermatitis. If you are not sure if you have skin allergies, you should undergo allergy testing in a reputable allergy clinic near you.

Yoga for skin allergies… is it effective?

Yoga is one of the most popular forms of exercise. It challenges your flexibility and your ability to control your body movement. Yoga may not be as easy as you think, yet it can be a rewarding experience.

But aside from being a great way to break a sweat (and improve your flexibility), yoga can also help in healing your skin problems. We all know how expensive it can be to spend on skin treatments or beauty products.

On the one hand, investing in skin care and treatment products is important. However, some of these products may have ingredients that can do more harm to the skin than good. If you do experience symptoms of skin allergies, best to contact an allergist specialist to help manage the symptoms.

Some skin care products may cause irritation and clogging on the skin and lead to:

  • Eczema
  • Wrinkles
  • Rosacea
  • Hives
  • Acne
  • Melanoma
  • Rashes
  • Psoriasis

Aside from some skincare products, such skin issues may also be due to hormonal imbalance, toxins, and harsh environment. Some ways that can help improve one’s skin health is by improving blood circulation, reducing stressful activities, and yoga. Of course, you can also visit an allergist for your allergy-related concerns.

Simple yoga asanas that can help with your skin problems

You don’t have to be a yoga expert to try out these poses. One study reported in Medical Science Monitor revealed that yoga has helped improve the feeling of fatigue, stress, and mental and emotional distress. As we all know, stress can contribute to skin problems like acne and other skin inflammations.

Try these yoga poses that can help make your skin clearer, suppler, and healthier.

  1. Utthanasana

This involves bending forward, with your palm touching flat on the ground. This asana is said to increase facial blood flow and promote glowing and radiant skin. In addition, this yoga pose encourages oxygen supply to the face and aid in skin rejuvenation.

2. Sarvangasana

Better known as the shoulder stand, this pose is another great yoga pose that can aid in better-looking skin. It can also help in improving skin texture and blood circulation in the face. Experts suggest doing this yoga pose about 3 to 5x daily for better skin.

3. Bharadvaja’s twist

Doing this yoga pose can help in eliminating toxins from the body. Fewer toxins mean better-looking and well-nourished skin.

4. Matsyasana

Also known as the fish pose, this asana also helps in achieving healthy and youthful-looking skin. It is also said to improve the overall function of the pineal, pituitary, and thyroid glands. At the same time, it aids hormone balance. If you also want to get rid of your double chin, you can also try this, too.

5. Trikonasana

This pose is also known as the Triangle pose and one of the best asanas for better skin. It also helps in opening the chest, heart, and lungs. The Trikonasana pose aids in adding oxygen supply to the skin. Thus, your skin will feel rejuvenated and fresh.

Is yoga really good for your skin?

It is a must to do something about your allergies. If you are suffering from it, you should visit an allergy specialist doctor immediately. Make sure to contact only the best allergist in Manassas VA. Although yoga can be beneficial to your skin health, it is still a good idea to consult an allergist before doing alternatives.