Why Does Hayfever Make Eczema Worse
The sun is shining and the holidays are inching closer for most people summer is considered to be happy and exciting time of year but, if you suffer from eczema this time of year can be problematic as your skin is exposed to all sorts of irritants including dry air, heat and pollen! This is because if you suffer from eczema, you may also be more vulnerable to hayfever. What causes both conditions to appear simultaneously though, and what can you do to protect your skin? Today I explore the relationship between these two conditions and what you can do to prevent a flare-up!
Felicity Mann
What Causes Darkness Around Eyes
Dehydration is a common cause of dark circles under your eyes. When your body is not receiving the proper amount of water, the skin beneath your eyes begins to look dull and your eyes look sunken. This is due to their close proximity to the underlying bone.
Dark circles under the eyes may look purple or blue to dark brown or black, depending on skin color. These circles are rarely a cause for concern, but people may wish to reduce their appearance for cosmetic reasons.
How To Get Rid Of Morning Itch
If Morning Itch is caused due to psychologic reasons or out of habit, then telling your mind to not to scratch for a few days and holding the urge to itch may help get rid of the problem. Morning Itch caused due to other skin conditions may need to be treated by a dermatologist. Apart from that certain changes in lifestyle may help you get rid of Morning Itch. These changes are:
- Try and take a shower before bedtime as it gets rid of any dead skin, sweat, or bacteria that may be present on the skin. Just a light shower is good enough to get rid of Morning Itch.
- Always use a skin moisturizer to keep Morning Itch at bay.
- Try and maintain a cool temperature throughout, so that the body remains cool and comfortable and prevents sweating which is a common reason for Morning Itch.
- Clean and change the linen every alternate day to prevent any dust mites or bed bugs, which could be causing you to have Morning Itch.
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Some Of The Worst Countries To Settle When You Are Suffering From Eczema
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Philippines
These places have unpredictable weather. The climate is either extremely hot or cold and windy. Most of the areas in these countries also have very high humidity in the summer and dry weather in the winters, which aggravate dry skin. The seasons in these regions are also either too short or too long. The fluctuating climate in these regions makes it hard for people to adapt, causing stress and trauma on the skin.
Why Does My Skin Feel Tight After Moisturizing
If your skin feels taught and dry after moisturizing, then chances are it doesnt contain enough of emollients for your skin type. Aloe vera, for example, is an ideal lightweight moisturizer for oily skin but can dehydrate dry skin, if used too often. The enzymes in the gel act as an exfoliator, which can make dry skin feel even worse by stripping it of essential oils. Not all moisturizers are created equal, so make sure to choose one specifically suited to your skins needs.
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What Is A Good Moisturizer For Dry Skin
The best moisturizer for dry skin is one that is all-natural! It should also be dye-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free and nourish the skin. A great example is Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Daily Face Moisturizer . Its rich in vitamins A, B, C and E and is non-comedogenic, sulfate-free and hypo-allergenic. Its also 97% naturally derived!
Its affordably priced and, best of all, can be delivered right to your front door. Go online and check it out today! Trust me, your skin will thank you for it!
Or, if you prefer a water-based moisturizer, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is a good brand to try. It absorbs quickly and hydrates deeply. Its also dye-free, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. It contains purified hyaluronic acid which is found naturally in healthy skin. As well, its dermatologist-recommended.
How To Deal With Swollen Face In The Morning
1. Cool Your Face
Avoid the warm shower in the morning and instead wash your face using cool or tepid water. You may also consider trying a cooled face mask for 15 minutes. Using cooled tea bag or refrigerated cucumbers may also help. Alternatively, you can simply place a cool refrigerated towel over your swollen face for 10 minutes to reduce swelling.
2. Change Your Pillow
Get a new pillow that helps keep your head elevated. You may consider elevating the head of your bed to limit gravity’s effects. Do not opt for very high pillows or your may have to deal with insomnia, neck-pain, or breathing difficulties.
3. Make Lifestyle Changes
Be active and do exercise regularly. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration. A glass of water before you sleep will help prevent water retention. You should also limit your salt intake because it promotes water retention and aggravates your symptoms of edema. Limit your alcohol intake as well to prevent facial puffiness.
4. Remove Makeup
Sleeping without removing your eye makeup can irritate your eyes and cause puffiness. Be sure to wipe it away using makeup remover before you go to sleep. Use cold water to rinse your face and pat dry.
5. Take Medications
You may consider taking antiviral or antibiotics medications depending on what causes facial puffiness in the first place. Your doctor may give you steroids if your puffiness is due to anaphylaxis, allergic reaction, or insect bite.
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Itch And Pain: Two Stimuli Two Different Reactions
It is very interesting to compare the reaction to itch and pain as two different stimuli. pain and itch have very different behavioral patterns. The central processing of itch involves multiple areas of the brain. The specific brain areas activated by itch are also involved with the central processing of pain. This implies that neural networks activated by these two stimuli are not distinct. Yet itch and pain have different activation patterns and reflexes.
Pain causes a withdrawal reflex. If pain is experienced, we try to protect the painful part of the body and not touch or overuse it. For example, if you hurt your back, you become very protective, avoid bending, and move with trepidation. Itch has the opposite behavioral pattern the scratch reflex draws us to the itchy area. Intense scratching helps to relieve the itch and indeed often becomes pleasurable until damage is caused resulting in broken skin. Then itch is replaced by pain, and the person withdraws from the area.
Areas in the cortex activated in atopic dermatitis and associated with processing itch lead to the following functions relating to itch:
- Negative affective aspects of itch, and memory of negative experience
- Localized scratching reward mechanisms
The cortex in the frontal brain is the area of reward and decision-making. this gives one explanation for the compulsive and often satisfying nature of scratching. therefore physical and emotional components of itch are linked together.
What Can You Do To Protect Eczema
Summer can be a really tricky time for eczema sufferers and it often seems like triggers lurk around every corner. The hot weather, the dry air from air cons and now the possibility of pollen irritating your vulnerable skin it can seem as though right from the start, the odds of surviving the summer without a significant flare-up are not in your favour.
However, as I explore in my blog, How can you protect your skin during the hayfever season there are still things you can do to prepare your skin and prevent a flare-up. When it comes to eczema and hayfever in particular, here are my 4 simple steps to keep pollen allergies from agigitating your skin.
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Why Does Eczema Itch
Itch is a symptom that 100 percent of people with eczema have to deal with often on an ongoing basis, day and night.
Eczema is frequently referred to as the itch that rashes. Itch is said by many people to be the worst thing about eczema, as it can be so incessant and never goes away. Eczema flares are frequently triggered by the itch-scratch cycle. This is when itching leads to scratching, which results in the release of inflammatory mediators, leading to the development of eczema and more dry skin.
Dry skin and eczema flares lead, in turn, to more itching and so the cycle continues. Itch is a complicated symptom of eczema. Multiple nerve pathways and chemical mechanisms have been identifiedas well as other contributing factors, including a defective skin barrier, external triggers and human nature in the search to answer the question Why does eczema itch?
The Epidermis As The Itch Receptor Unit
The epidermis consists of keratinocyte cells, which are constantly reproducing then moving upward and being shed as dead skin cells. In addition to keratinocytes, the epidermis contains nerve receptors and chemical mediators, which also appear to be involved with the sensation of itch. One theory concerns nerve endings in the epidermis, as it is thought that an itch sensation is generated through nerve receptors adjacent to the keratinocyte cells. specific nerve receptors for itch have not yet been identified in the epidermis. However, scientific experiments have shown that if the epidermis is removed, itch is abolished. This proves that itch must generate from the epidermis. In addition, itch is uniquely restricted to the skin, mucous membranes and the cornea of the eye, where there are epidermal layers. No other body tissue experiences itch.
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Does Putting Tea Bags On Your Eyes Work
Tea bags may help to improve the appearance of your eyes by reducing dark circles, puffiness, and redness. They may also help to treat irritation, styes, and pink eye. Placing them on your eyes gives you the chance to rest and unwind. Do the treatment several times per day until your symptoms have abated.
What Is The Mechanism Of Itch
Itch in atopic dermatitis generally originates in the skin. Medical names for itch starting in the skin can be pruritus, dermatological itch, or pruritoceptive itch. This type of itch begins when free nerve fibers are stimulated by nerve endings called C fibers in the top layer of the skin . The nerve endings can be stimulated by different factors, including external irritants, dry skin, eczema flares, or chemical mediators in the skin .
In response to itch in the skin, nerve pathways are activated and messages travel to the brain. People often respond to itch with a behavior , which is often scratching. However, itch in atopic dermatitis is not as straightforward as this it is actually thought to be very complex. This is because there are two other types of itchneurogenic itch and psychogenic itchthat are also thought to play a part.
Neurogenic itch is generated in the central nervous system in response to circulating itch factors. Psychogenic itch is completely different as it relates to itch being stimulated by psychological factors. In eczema these include unconscious or conscious urges to scratch, habit, or a response to stress.
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Is Your Eczema Worse After A Shower
Whether you take it first thing in the morning or before you go to bed, showering regularly is an important part of any hygiene routine.Unfortunately, if youre one of the millions of people dealing with eczema, taking a shower can actually irritate skin and even bring on a flare-up!
Why does eczema get worse after a shower? Read on to discover some helpful tips on how to create a pleasant showering experience even when suffering from eczema.
Keep Your Skin Hydrated
If you suffer from eczema, your skin can lack moisture and easily become dry, making it more susceptible to irritation and allergens such as pollen. Thats why its important to try and nourish your skin during the summer months when it can easily become vulnerable to UV radiation and other factors that can cause dryness.
Moisturiser should be your new best friend, but more importantly, you should be opting for a moisturiser that contains plenty of nourishing ingredients, such as coconut oil, avocado oil or Shea butter. If you want to learn more about some of my personal favourite natural moisturisers for dry skin, check out my blog here for my top recommendations.
Neem is another natural ingredient thats been shown to help dry skin as it contains natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, easing areas of inflammation and reducing redness while calming irritation and itchiness. Our Neem Cream contains extracts of neem, sweet almond oil and rosemary and has been known to have a very soothing effect on eczema-prone skin.
If you suffer from eczema-prone skin stay away from moisturisers that contain abrasive chemicals and parabens if the ingredients list is too long or contains plenty of long, baffling words, stay away! Try to consider your cosmetics too if you can, go organic with your makeup and try organic, natural ranges that have been formulated specifically with eczema-prone skin in mind, such as PHB Beauty.
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The Best Places In The World For Eczema
- Sao Paulo, Brazil
Here the humidity is 84% all around the year. There are a number of Eczema Support Networks and Communities that can help you deal with your skin condition.
- Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Besides being humid throughout the year, South Africa leads in spreading awareness through The National Eczema Association to provide suitable conditions for people suffering from eczema.
- Sydney Australia
The warm and pleasant weather in Sydney throughout the year makes it an adaptable climate for eczema sufferers. There are also support and management groups like the Eczema Association of Australia, which provide donations and facilities to treat and prevent the spread of eczema.
- Costa Rica
The Coastal Areas of Costa Rica have a reasonably moderate level of humidity and mild climate throughout the year. The hot days are accompanied by a cold sea breeze which prevents eczema flare-ups.
- Athens, Greece
With many days of sunshine and a stable level of humidity, the coastal areas of Greece also provide relief and comfortable weather for people healing from sensitive skin caused by eczema.
- Las Palmas, Spain
Not extremely hot or cold, and no sudden change in temperature, the vegetation and quality of life on an average is reasonably high in Spain, making it one of the safest places for eczema sufferers, such as you and I.
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How Do You Treat Extremely Dry Skin
Treating dry skin need not be difficult or stressful! And it shouldnt break the bank either. The easiest ways to comfort and soothe extremely dry skin are also affordable and include the following:
Also, there was a six-week study performed on the clinical improvements for very dry skin using a moisturizing cream that has a natural ingredient base that is colloidal oatmeal.
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Tips For Showering With Eczema
If you suffer from eczema or notice that you feel itchy after taking a shower, here are some tips to help you find relief.
Avoid Long, Hot Showers: Your shower should be short. Ideally, you should aim for around five minutes to ten minutes. In addition to keeping your shower brief, remember to use cool water as opposed to hot.
Dont Shower More Than Once a Day: Limit your shower to once a day . Children can shower even less frequently – around once or twice per week. Taking more than one a day simply gives the water more opportunity to strip away your skins natural oils.
Pat Dry The Skin: After your shower, be sure to use a soft towel to pat dry your body. You want to avoid rubbing the towel against your skin as this can lead to irritation.
Use Soap Strategically and Sparingly: To avoid causing unnecessary flare-ups, consider using soap only in strategic areas, such as armpits, feet, hands, and genitals. Dont overdo the amount of soap you use. Be sure to also avoid scrubbing your skin with exfoliators such as loofah, scrubbers, or harsh sponges as these can further irritate the skin. Even washcloths cause friction and should be used with caution. The best way to wash is simply by lathering with your hands.
Use Natural Products: As always, avoid using products that contain fragrances, alcohol, antibacterial ingredients, preservatives, or harsh cleansers. Unfortunately, no matter how tempting they might sound, bubble baths are also a no-go. Natural products are best!
Swollen Face In The Morning: Causes And Treatments
Waking up with a swollen face in the morning can ruin your plans for the day. You may have an important meeting ahead but you cannot go looking like a puffer fish. Exactly what causes this problem? Why do you have facial swelling in the morning? The truth is that it can indicate underlying medical conditions, especially if you have other problematic symptoms as well. It may not be that serious if it happens occasionally, but you may still consider talking to your doctor about your condition. Let’s find out more about some common causes of facial puffiness.
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Does Histamine Cause Itch In Eczema
Histamine is not a mediator of itch in atopic dermatitis, but its role remains controversial. In atopic dermatitis, it has been found that nerve fibers that transmit itch both peripherally and centrally are histamine insensitive. These peripheral nerve fibers have been found to be mechanically sensitive but unresponsive to histamine. It is thought that these specific nerve fibers may be more clinically relevant to atopic dermatitis itch rather than those nerve fibers that are histamine sensitive. This is the reason why even high doses of antihistamine do not relieve itch, unless they are centrally sedating antihistamines. Therefore sedating antihistamines are probably the only ones that help itch in eczema that does not have a urticarial component .
Skin conditions that cause an eczematous reaction including urticaria are histamine mediated, as are insect-bite reactions and allergic drug reactions. Histamine directly stimulates histamine type 1 receptors on itch-specific nerve fibers. This is why for these conditions antihistamines taken in tablet form are the mainstay of treatment. several types of antihistamine drugs may be prescribed. Treatment generally starts with non-sedating H1 antihistamines , but there are several other treatment options available.