• FIND THE SOURCE OF THE ALLERGY: The prevention of seasonal allergies is a bit difficult if the cause of allergy is unknown. In order to identify its cause and to know whether it’s from dust or food. Skin allergies can happen due to direct contact with harsh soaps, detergents, bleaches, perfumes, cosmetics or even airborne pollutants and allergens. This happens more in winter as the skin barrier is disturbed
  • WATCH OUT FOR HUMIDITY LEVELS: Humidity levels tend to drop in the winter months. The pollution dust smog around the skin makes the skin drier. The drier the air, the drier the skin will get. This breaks the natural skin barrier that controls how much water will go in your skin and how much will go out through the skin.
  • Patients are more likely to experience dryness and flakiness during the colder months of the year, especially if you’re prone to eczema or other dry skin conditions. Patients who are known to have asthma and upper respiratory allergies such as hay fever and running nose are prone to skin allergies.
  • Patients with skin allergies who have hives, urticaria or peeling red skin, sometimes even have blood oozing out from the affected area. Some can even get acute angioedema with swelling of lips and eyelids and a feeling of breathlessness or actual breathlessness. They need to visit a dermatologist for management of these acute conditions. The most common skin allergy which worsens in winter is atopic eczema. This is a condition where the skin develops red, dry, itchy, rashes and this worsens when the weather gets cold and dry. Sometimes these rashes may be scaly when they appear on hands and feet. This may be present even at other times of the year but flares in winter. This is commonly seen in children and older people as the skin is already delicate and sensitive.

DOS AND DONT'S

  • Protect your self from dust and pollution as much as possible.- Keep your selves covered so as to avoid exposure from a sudden drop or Change in temperature.- Use nasal sprays to expel out the allergens responsible for allergic reactions
  • Those suffering from respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis should consult their physician and get their medication revised before the sudden change in weather
  • Drink tea made with natural antihistamines, especially nettle leaf or ginger, black pepper, tulsi leaves tea
  • Take a short shower with lukewarm water.
  • Eat right-- Don't eat very spicy or oily food- Include vitamin C rich foods such as kiwi, Amala, orange, lemon, etc. in your diet, as they have natural antihistamine properties.- Also eat food rich in omega 3 such as flaxseed, walnuts, chia seeds, as they reduce inflammation in the body and foods which have quercetin (a plant pigment) such as fruit, onion, apple, parsley, tomato, papers, green leafy etc as they prevent both the manufacture and release of histamine as well as other allergic and inflammatory compounds.