When it comes to treating skin allergies, knowing what items and substances cause your body to experience an adverse reaction is important. Identifying your triggers will help you avoid them, and help your doctor determine which treatment plans work best for you. As with hay fever, the pollen and mold allergens that affect your skin will be localized to geographic regions. We aim to help North Texans get to know what common allergens to look out for when living with skin allergies.
The Most Common Skin Allergy Triggers
Reactions for skin allergies can range from mild to severe, and can include rashes, hives, swelling, eczema and various irritations that appear on or that affect your skin. While there are many types of allergens that can cause the skin to flare up, we’ll focus on three main categories – contact, environmental, and food allergens.
Contact allergens cause reactions when touched, or when they come into contact with your skin. Common contact allergens include adhesives (like those in bandages), cosmetics and fragrances. Fragrances are not limited to perfume and cologne, and are components in many household items, especially detergents and cleansers. You may want to select unscented options when they’re available. Latex and metals like chromium, cobalt and nickel are also common contact allergens.
Environmental allergens are what most people associate with “allergies.” These are the ones that cause watery eyes and runny noses, yet they can also cause your skin to experience an allergic response. The common environmental skin allergy triggers are flowers (fragrance), mildew, mold, pet dander, plants and pollen. In North Texas, mountain cedar, oak, grass and weeds can cause discomfort during their specific flowering seasons.
Rather than the classic symptoms of hay fever, a person’s skin may scale, become red, dry or itchy when exposed to these elements. Additionally, insect bites, bee stings and even extreme heat may result in allergic reactions. When working outside in the yard or spending time outdoors, do what you can to protect yourself from your triggers.
Finally, with food allergies on the rise, it’s no surprise that foods can also be a common skin allergen. While the usual top nine allergenic foods are included, such as shellfish, milk and tree nuts, the most common skin allergens can also include various spices like coriander and cinnamon, nightshade plants like bell pepper and tomatoes, fruits like pineapple and papaya, and food with a high nickel content.
Keep in mind that while there are many allergens, there are also multiple allergy treatment options available, each having its own benefits.
Treatment for Common Skin Allergies
However your skin allergy affects you, help is available. You can identify your specific triggers by working with a board-certified allergist, like Dr. Mireku at TexasAllergyMD, to access expert allergy testing and diagnosis.
Through an exam, including bloodwork or skin prick testing, you can find out if you’re experiencing contact, environmental, or food-related skin allergies. Once the culprits are identified, your doctor will develop a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle to get your skin feeling its best.
Get Highly-Rated Care for Skin Allergies in North Texas
The care team at TexasAllergyMD is ready to help patients in McKinney/Prosper and Southlake find skin allergy treatments that work for them. Dr. Mireku helps patients of all ages with various allergy concerns. Call us at (469) 375-1525 or request an appointment.
