Tag Archives: allergic reaction

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.

What You Need to Know about Allergic Rhinitis

Sneezing is often associated with colds and often results in stuffy or runny nose and watery eyes. To help alleviate your cold symptoms, doctors would usually prescribe cold medications to lessen your sniffles. But if you sneeze a lot, suddenly feel itchy all over, or end up with runny nose and watery eyes even without symptoms of colds, chances are you may have allergic rhinitis.

It is said that around 40 to 60 million – or even more – Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis. Also known as hay fever, this condition often affects your nasal area. If you think you have allergic rhinitis, you should consult an allergist doctor near you and given the right medications to manage the condition.

Knowing more about allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis usually occurs when you inhale something that you are allergic to, such as pollen, pet dander, or a certain perfume. This condition also occurs if you ingest something that you are allergic as well, such as seafood or eggs. However, the more commonly known type of allergic rhinitis is more on the former wherein you experience adverse reactions upon inhalation of an allergic.

There are instances wherein a person do not realize he or she is allergic to something unless already inhaled or ingested. In such cases, it can result in the manifestation of similar symptoms as in common colds such as a runny and stuffy nose, and watery eyes. If you experience this after suspicion of getting into contact with a potential allergen, head to the nearest allergy clinic immediately.

As mentioned, allergic rhinitis or hay fever is usually triggered by a pollen allergic reaction. In other words, it may happen when you are outdoors as they may come from plants and then blown away by the wind. However, it can also happen indoors especially if you are not fond of regular dusting and if you have furry pets.

Types of allergic rhinitis

It is important to note that allergic rhinitis or hay fever has two major forms: seasonal and perennial. The former occurs especially during springtime to early fall, and are usually caused by airborne spores or pollen from trees, weeds, and grass.

The latter, on the other hand, happens all year-round. It can be caused by indoor or outdoor allergen triggers like dust mites, pollen, pet dander. Some food allergies may also result in perennial allergic rhinitis, although this is a rare instance. In some cases, there are people who experience both.

That is why you should consult an allergy doctor if you experience possible symptoms of hay fever. An allergy specialist doctor will provide medications and treatment to help manage your condition. At the same time, it will prevent your condition from worsening which can lead to further complications.

Symptoms

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology or AAAAI revealed that there is around eight percent of American adults suffer from hay fever. On the other hand, it is also believed that as much as 30 percent of the total global population have this condition.

An allergy physician and other allergy experts suggest getting treatment from allergies if you or someone you know experience one or more of the following symptoms.

  • Repetitive sneezing
  • Runny, stuffy, and itchy nose
  • Itchy or sore throat
  • Coughing
  • Itchy and watery eyes (usually accompanied with sneezing and runny nose)
  • Itchy and dry skin, or hives in worse cases
  • Fatigue and headache

These symptoms usually show up as immediately as you come into contact with an allergen. On the other hand, some of the symptoms such as fatigue and headache may occur following long-term exposure to the specified allergens. Nevertheless, it is best to consult an allergist doctor to help manage your condition.

Treatment

Doctors would normally prescribe antihistamines to help manage allergic symptoms. Antihistamines work by halting the production of histamines in the body, of which the latter contribute to the allergic reactions. Among common over-the-counter antihistamine medications include loratadine (popularly known as Claritin), cetirizine (also known as Zyrtec), and diphenhydramine (generic name of Benedryl).

Some are also given nasal decongestants to relieve sinus pressure and stuffy nose. However, prolonged use of these products can result in a rebound effect and make the condition worse. Also, it is better to consult an allergist first before taking or using these medications.

Finding an allergy expert near you

If you experience any symptoms of allergic rhinitis, never delay treatment. Instead, visit the best allergist in Germantown MD immediately for proper treatment.

Should You Get an Allergy Test?

Millions of people all over the world suffer from allergies. In fact, around 50 million people are afflicted with some kind of allergies in the US alone. Allergies are also considered one of the most common types of chronic health conditions that plague both children and adults alike. Allergic triggers vary from person to person and should be determined by allergy testing.

Knowing what exactly causes your allergies is an important step so you can be able to manage your condition. One way to determine what triggers your allergies is by having an allergy test. It is usually a painless and quick way to find out what causes your allergic reactions. Before that, you should know how allergy tests work and whether you need to take one.

What are allergy tests for?

If you experience any symptoms of allergies, you should visit an asthma doctor. But to confirm what exactly causes your allergies, it is better to find an allergy doctor who will conduct allergy tests.

For starters, allergies are usually our body’s response to a specific trigger or what we call “allergens”. Common types of allergies may either be seasonal (pollen, molds, and the like), perennial (pet dander, dust mites, smoke, etc.), or food allergies.

To determine which among these triggers your allergies, you need to undergo an allergy test. Allergy testing can either be through blood or skin tests. In some cases, the patient may have to undergo an elimination diet to determine the specific food that is causing an allergic reaction.

All of these allergy test procedures should be done by an allergist specialist and in an allergy facility or office. It is important to follow the doctor’s orders before undergoing an allergy test to ensure accurate results.

Allergy test standards

As mentioned, only certified allergists should conduct allergy tests. Otherwise, taking allergy tests without any medical recommendation and prior exams may not yield reliable results. This includes availing free tests in supermarkets or drugstores. You can even avail allergy test kits if you want to do the testing at home, but may not be as reliable.

This is why you should only rely on certified allergist doctor as they know better about allergies and how to manage it. You can guarantee that results will be more accurate and get better help in managing your condition. In effect, you can live a normal life as possible.

Most allergy tests are non-invasive and won’t require surgery or any complicated medical procedures. As mentioned, allergy tests may either be through skin patches or getting blood samples. If there is a certain reaction (ex. presence of rashes or swelling on the skin test area), it means you are allergic to that certain allergen. In some cases, you may have to take another test to confirm the previous test results.

Preparing for an allergy test

First of all, it is important to prepare yourself before undergoing an allergy test even if it is not really considered a major procedure. Such tests should be done only by certified or licensed medical personnel to ensure accurate results. Expect to be asked some details about your family history and lifestyle among a few.

If you are taking medications before getting an allergy test, you may be recommended to stop it temporarily. Otherwise, such medications may affect the results of your allergy test. In particular, you may have to temporarily stop taking medications such as:

  • Prescription and over-the-counter antihistamines
  • Heartburn medications (ex. famotidine)
  • Asthma medications (ex. omalizumab)
  • Antidepressants (ex. amitriptyline, nortriptyline)

You may also expect to experience some discomfort, although mostly tolerable, while the allergy test is ongoing. Results are usually available within a week. By then, you will be prescribed some medications and perhaps a lifestyle change to help manage your condition.

Should you get an allergy test?

If you are experiencing allergic symptoms but do not know which exactly causes the reactions, it is best to have an allergy test. While there are over-the-counter products that can relieve allergic symptoms, it will simply mask the discomfort but still have no idea of what the exact triggers area.

Having said that, it is highly recommended to consult an allergy physician to help manage your condition. He or she knows better in terms of identifying and recommending the right action steps to alleviate your allergic symptoms. Feel free to visit an allergy clinic in Manassas VA if you want to undergo an allergy test.

The Price of Beauty: What to Do If You Have Cosmetic Allergies

It’s nice to glam up every once in a while. Using beauty products including skincare, makeup, and hygienic products can boost your confidence. It can also help in improving your productivity at work and enhancing your social skills. It improves your appearance and can make you look more attractive for many people.

Unfortunately, some people are not able to use some beauty products due to allergic reactions. In such cases, it is best to consult an allergist specialist to manage the condition. Allergy to beauty products may not be as common as pet allergies or food allergies. However, there are a lot of people around the world who have what it is called cosmetic allergy.

Are you allergic to beauty products?

There are many reasons your skin breaks out. It can be due to stress or the foods you eat. On the other hand, it can be due to the beauty products you are using. Cosmetic allergy can cause adverse effects such as itching, rashes, swelling, and puffiness among a few.

It is said that there are two major types of skin reactions: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. The former occurs when a certain beauty product causes damage to the skin. Among these symptoms include burning sensation, itching, or redness, or oozing blisters in worst cases. If you encounter any of these symptoms when you use makeup, it is best to contact an allergist doctor immediately.

On the other hand, the latter may affect your immune system. Like irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis can also cause symptoms such as swelling, redness, and hives. The symptoms often manifest themselves on specific parts of the body such as the eyes, ears, lips, neck, or the entire face.

Regardless of the symptoms, it is important to consult an allergist immediately. These can lead to worse situations if left ignored. He or she should also help you manage your condition and advice for any treatments you need to undergo to minimize the onset of the allergic symptoms.

Common beauty products that can cause allergies

Among common beauty products that cause cosmetic allergies include:

  • Eye makeup
  • Skin moisturizers
  • Soaps
  • Shampoos or conditioner
  • Antiperspirants/deodorant
  • Lip stains
  • Compact powder
  • Nail polish (especially those with formaldehyde)
  • Hair dyes
  • Perfume

Most of these products contain ingredients that cause adverse reactions when come into contact on the skin and scalp. In such cases, it is best to consult an allergy physician before using these products. Among these potentially harmful ingredients include the following:

  • Paraben
  • Formaldehyde
  • Phenoxyethanol
  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone
  • DMDM hydantoin
  • Alpha-hydroxy acids (especially those with more than 10 percent AHA levels)

How to avoid cosmetic allergies

There are many ways you can avoid these cosmetic allergy symptoms. One way is to determine if you are indeed allergic to makeup or any beauty product. As mentioned, various symptoms will appear that will confirm your allergy to a specific beauty product. If this happens, it is best to visit an allergy clinic to treat the symptoms. Other tips to avoid the adverse effects of cosmetic allergies include the following.

  • Check the label. The fewer the ingredients, the fewer the chances that it can cause adverse reactions to users. Better yet, choose products that are FDA-approved.
  • Consider having an allergy testing procedure before buying a product. One way is by patch testing. Apply a small amount of the product on the inside part of your arm. Wait for about 48 to 72 hours and check for any signs of swelling, redness, or itchiness. If there is, you already know what to do.
  • Do not apply perfume or cologne directly on the skin, but on your clothes instead. This will help lessen the risk of adverse reactions on the skin.
  • Some products may be labeled as “hypoallergenic” or “dermatologist-tested”. However, these may not guarantee that the product is safe against adverse effects. Then again, you can try the skin patch test just to be sure.

Conclusion

We should all be careful with the products we choose. Just when you think you are not allergic to a certain product or food, it will appear that you are once it touches your skin or consumed one. If you experience any unusual symptoms after coming into contact with a specific product, make sure to visit an allergy physician in Manassas VA immediately for proper treatment.

What You Need to Know about Hives

It is a universally-known fact that millions of people around the world have some kind of allergies. These are usually triggered by various factors such as food and beverages, pet dander, and pollen among a few. Allergic reactions can be mild but some can be severe it can be fatal enough for other people. If you are allergic to a specific food or other outdoor elements, it is best to consult an allergy specialist doctor to help you manage your condition.

Allergy triggers can cause allergic reactions that can vary from person to person. One common allergic reaction that afflicts millions of allergy sufferers is hives. This refers to skin welts that are usually red and itchy. It usually appears on the skin a few minutes or hours after getting into contact with an allergen. Hives also come in different sizes and shapes and can last up to 12 hours.

Hives vs. angioedema

Hives are also referred to as urticaria in medical terms. It usually causes itchiness and redness, but in some cases cause stinging or a burning sensation. Hives appear in different parts of the body such as the legs, arms, chest, and face. It can as small as a pen blot to as large as a food plate.

Another condition that is similar to hives is called angioedema. The difference between the two is that the latter develops underneath the skin instead of topical (the skin surface itself) as the former. Unlike urticaria, angioedema also causes swelling around the lip, eyes, feet, hands, and even the genital area, and it lasts longer than urticaria.

There are two types of urticaria: acute and chronic. The former lasts less than six weeks and are usually caused by common triggers such as foods, medications, or insect bites. The latter, on the other hand, lasts more than six weeks and can be hard to determine the exact cause. However, it is said that chronic urticaria and angioedema are caused by hepatitis, thyroid disease, or cancer.

Both urticaria and angioedema can be potentially life-threatening especially if it affects the throat or lungs. In such emergencies, it is best to go to the nearest allergy clinic or contact an allergy doctor immediately.

Causes and symptoms of hives

Hives occur due to an allergic reaction to certain allergens. Among common triggers of hives include:

  • Foods such as shellfish, nuts, and eggs among a few
  • Medical conditions such as common colds, hepatitis B, influenza, and urinary tract infections (UTI)
  • Temperature changes
  • Fever
  • Dust mites and animal dander
  • Plants such as poison ivy and nettles
  • Insect bites

While there are many possible allergic triggers, it is most likely hard to pinpoint which of these is the exact cause of hives. Nevertheless, it is important to call an allergist specialist once symptoms appear. Speaking of symptoms, among common signs of hives include:

  • Red, itchy welts that can be as small as a dot or as large as a food plate
  • The welts occur in batches on certain parts of the body such as the legs, arms, chest, and feet among a few
  • Swelling on the skin area with welts
  • Sometimes with a stinging or burning sensation

In worse cases, hives can also cause anaphylaxis which can be potentially fatal if not treated immediately. Other symptoms that need immediate medical attention include:

  • Feeling light-headed
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Cold and sweaty skin
  • Irregular heart beat

If you have the above symptoms, consult an allergy doctor immediately.

Managing and treating urticaria

In these cases, the adage “prevention is better than cure” may be suitable in these cases. As much as possible, identify possible triggers that may cause hives.  For instance, you may have to abhor or lessen alcohol consumption or avoiding consumption of certain foods such as nuts or shellfish.

There may be some products that can also trigger hives such as laundry detergents, skin creams, and body soaps. Choose ones that have gentle ingredients, unscented, and paraben-free. Avoid stress as much as possible and make time to relax and unwind even for just a few minutes.

If hives are already present, make yourself as comfortable as possible. Never scratch the affected area and apply cold compress or ice on it to alleviate itching and lessen the redness. Take supplements with Vitamins C and D, and evening primrose oils to lessen the occurrence of hives. However, make sure to consult an allergist doctor first before taking any medications or if the symptoms worsen.

Find an allergy doctor near you

If you have signs of allergies, it is best to consult an allergy physician in Germantown MD immediately. This is to avoid further complications that can worsen your condition. Visit one today!