How to clean skin when allergic

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 24 January 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
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Skin allergies & dermatitis tips: a Q&A with a dermatologist πŸ™†πŸ€”
Video: Skin allergies & dermatitis tips: a Q&A with a dermatologist πŸ™†πŸ€”

Content

Do not scratch the rash, wear loose clothing. Clean skin with cool water and soap, then apply Hydrocortisone lotion, ointment or cream. Consider using a natural treatment or an oat bath. Always use cool water and know when to see your doctor.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Avoid contact with the rash

  1. Do not scratch the rash. The act of scratching only stimulates the itch and prolongs the duration of the allergic reaction, even causing the rash to spread. So do not touch or scratch the rash.
    • If you can't resist the itch, wear gloves while at home. Or, if you find it inconvenient, keep your fingernails short. In general, anything should be done to help delay the urge to scratch it.

  2. Choose loose clothing. Dressing too tight can rub against the rash and cause further irritation. Wear loose clothing or, if possible, clothing that does not cover the rash, such as shorts or a t-shirt.
    • Humidity and heat can sometimes irritate the rash, so wear light, quick-drying material like cotton.
    • If the symptoms are severe, wet clothing may help. For example, you can find a soft cotton shirt like a long-sleeved t-shirt or pants, soak it in cold water, squeeze out the water, and put it on. Wear loose clothing over wet clothing.

  3. Avoid engaging in activities that cause skin irritation. During the period of the rash, activities that cause unnecessary skin contact and sweating should be avoided.
    • Most contact sports such as soccer, rugby and hockey should be avoided as it is difficult to avoid contact and further irritate the skin.
    • You can still participate in exercises like aerobic, swimming and weight lifting. However, sweating can irritate the skin of the rash, so if you exercise, choose a workout outfit that dries quickly and doesn't expose too much to the rash.
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Method 2 of 4: Apply soap and lotion


  1. Wash skin immediately with cool water and soap. If the rash is caused by external contact with the allergen, wash off the allergen on your skin to reduce the severity of the reaction.
    • Avoid using soaps containing sodium laurel sulfate, as this chemical often provokes an allergic reaction.
    • Choose a mild, fragrance-free cleanser such as Dove, Aveeno, Cetaphil or Shur-clens.
  2. Use lotions or ointments. Many lotions and ointments are available over the counter in pharmacies. These products provide immediate relief from itching or burning symptoms. You can try:
    • Calamine Lotion (topical Calamine cream), apply as needed or as directed.Be careful not to leave the lotion on the skin for too long to avoid irritating the rash.
    • Aloe Vera cream is applied 2-3 times a day until the rash begins to heal.
  3. Try Hydrocortisone cream. Hydrocortisone cream is available in most pharmacies over the counter and can temporarily help reduce skin rashes caused by allergens.
    • Mild (0.5 or 1%) Hydrocortisone cream is usually applied 1-4 times daily until the skin begins to heal.
    • Hydrocortisone cream is available in the form of an ointment, lotion, foam, liquid, gel, spray, and wet washcloth. You can choose the cream in any form you like and follow the instructions on the product label
      • Ointments often have a better soothing effect on irritated skin. Lotions can be irritating and are better used for large areas of the rash.
  4. Use natural remedies. In some cases, over-the-counter lotions and creams can further irritate the skin. If so, you should try natural treatments.
    • Clay can help cool it down, thereby reducing the itch sensation. You should use pure, untreated clay. Mix the clay in a bowl or cup of water until it forms a smooth thick mixture. Then, apply it on the itchy or irritated area. Wait for the clay to dry, then peel it off. If you peel off and feel skin irritation, wet the clay and gently wipe it off with a soft, wet cloth.
    • Apple cider vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help reduce itching. Dab a few drops of apple cider vinegar with a cotton ball or clean towel and apply to the affected area.
    • Peppermint or peppermint leaves can provide immediate cooling, reducing skin irritation. You can puree mint leaves to apply directly to the skin.
    • Peppermint or peppermint leaves can provide immediate cooling, reducing skin irritation. You can puree mint leaves to apply directly to the skin.
  5. Take an oatmeal bath. The anti-inflammatory properties of oats help soothe irritated, itchy skin. Taking an oatmeal bath may help relieve or ease the symptoms of the rash. Fill a bath with lukewarm or cold water, then add half a cup of oatmeal. Soak in the bath for 15-20 minutes.
    • Ideally, use colloidal oatmeal or ground oats to a fine powder. Oatmeal is easy to dissolve and is easy to wipe off after bathing. If you don't have oatmeal available, you can use a blender to puree regular oatmeal yourself. Or you can put the oats in a Muslin cloth bag or cheesecloth and put in the water.
    • In some cases, adding a few drops of extra virgin olive oil to the bath water also helps because it has natural moisturizing properties. If you want to use olive oil, be careful when moving around in the bathroom as it is very slippery.
  6. Use cool water. Sometimes the simplest solution will be the best one. You can soak a soft washcloth in cool water and apply it to the affected area 2-3 times a day for 15-30 minutes. Cool water can help relieve itching and reduce swelling. advertisement

Method 3 of 4: Seeking professional medical help

  1. Be careful with severe allergic reactions. You should see your doctor right away if there is any reaction other than skin irritation. Some of the signs that suggest you need medical intervention include:
    • The rash spreads into a wide array on the body
    • The rash gets worse instead of getting better with time and with home treatment
    • The rash lasts more than 1-2 weeks
    • Signs of infection, including signs of increased redness or swelling, and drainage of pus
  2. Ask your doctor about topical corticosteroid cream. Corticosteroids are a group of drugs that help treat many diseases. Derived from the natural corticosteroid hormone in the adrenal glands, corticosteroids have an anti-inflammatory effect and become an excellent product to combat allergic reactions. Corticosteroid creams (commonly used to treat skin rashes) are many topical steroid creams that are applied directly to the affected area. Ask your doctor what corticosteroid cream is right for you.
    • Only apply cream to the affected area, with the correct frequency and location as directed by your doctor. Usually, you need to apply the cream 1-2 times per day. Use less cream and ask your doctor about the amount of cream to use. Side effects (rare) often occur from improper use of the cream.
    • Many people are concerned about corticosteroid creams due to the steroid factor, but this is unfounded. Topical steroids are very safe if used correctly, if not used for a long time, and dependence on the cream like other steroids is rare.
  3. Try cortisone pills or injections. In rare cases, if the rash does not go away with corticosteroid creams, your doctor may prescribe cortisone pills or injections to reduce the rash. Take oral corticosteroids according to your doctor's instructions if prescribed.
    • If you are taking blood thinning medications or supplements, your doctor may recommend that you avoid taking any medications / supplements before getting cortisone injections.
    • When you get cortisone injections, you may need to change your patient's gown, depending on where the rash is. The area around the injection site will be cleaned and the needle will be sprayed with antiseptic. You may feel pressure as the needle is inserted and the medicine is pumped out.
    • In some cases, there will be redness or warmth in the chest or face after the injection. Your doctor will likely ask you to protect the skin around the injection site for 1-2 days, apply an ice pack as needed to relieve the pain, and be alert for symptoms of infection such as pain, redness, and swelling.
  4. Get an allergy test. If allergic reactions appear frequent or severe, your doctor may order an allergy test. Testing helps determine what is causing the allergic reaction, making it easier to avoid this factor and avoid further allergies. There are 3 types of allergy tests: the prick test, the skin patch test, and the endoderm test.
    • The prick test is the process of placing a small amount of an allergen on the skin, usually in the arm, upper back, or neck. The skin is pulled to bring the allergen down to the skin's surface. Then the doctor will observe for signs of the reaction. Results usually appear after 15-20 minutes and can be tested for multiple allergens at the same time.
    • The skin patch test is the process of applying multiple allergens to an area of ​​skin (usually the back). This area is then covered with a bandage. Allergic reactions will be assessed within a few days of applying the skin.
    • An endoderm test is the process of introducing a small amount of potential allergen into the skin. Then the doctor will watch for signs of a reaction. This test is often used to find signs of a serious allergen such as bee venom or penicillin.
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Method 4 of 4: Search for permanent solutions

  1. Determine the cause of the allergic reaction. An allergy test can help identify the allergen, but it may not be necessary. You should review pre-allergic activities and see if anything stands out. For example, ivy or poison oak are a common irritant and if you're camping or hiking they can be the cause of allergies. Or if you are new to a skin, hair, nail or lotion product, they could be the cause of the allergy.
    • Ask your doctor for a list of products that often contain substances that you should avoid.
  2. Identify items indoors that can cause skin irritation. Most of us are busy and it is difficult to check every single ingredient in every home cleaning product or personal care product. Be aware that many chemicals in household items can cause skin irritation. You should begin to review kitchen and bathroom furniture, paying particular attention to products that often cause allergic reactions. If a product is clearly chemical-rich, it's best to throw it away and look for a more natural product instead. Be careful with ::
    • Soap, especially dish soap
    • Soap, especially dish soap
    • Paper towels and laundry detergent
    • Clothing, especially clothing made of raw fabrics such as wool
    • Latex (rubber resin)
    • Fragrances such as perfumes and skin sprays
    • Cream for face
    • Nickel, found in jewelry, watch bands, and zippers
    • Sunscreen
  3. Use moisturizers or skin protection products. Depending on your job, it can be difficult to avoid or to identify all the potential irritants. Therefore, to avoid an allergic reaction, you should use skin moisturizers and protective products.
    • Use moisturizers like natural lotions that contain ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and propylene glycol. These ingredients help prolong the moisturizing effect. A good moisturizer can keep skin healthy to counter an allergic reaction.
    • Petroleum Jelly Moisturizing Wax (available in most supermarkets) can help provide a protective barrier to the skin, reducing contact between skin and irritants. In addition, you should apply moisturizing wax to dry, cracked skin at night to help the skin heal. Any open wound can increase the risk of the skin being affected by the allergen.
    • Wearing thick rubber gloves when working with chemicals or detergents can help reduce the risk of direct skin contact, thus reducing allergic reactions. At home, you should buy a pair of rubber gloves to use and buy rubber sandals to wear when cleaning the kitchen, bathroom.
    • If you have been exposed to the allergen (identified or suspected), you need to act quickly. Get the allergen out of your body as quickly as possible. Wash exposed skin with soap and warm water.
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Advice

  • If you are prone to allergies, it is best to carry moisturizers, Aloe Vera cream and Calamine Lotion with you at all times. Treat the allergic reaction as quickly as possible.
  • Washing your skin is an important step, but chemical soaps can make allergies worse. You should choose natural soaps with less ingredients because they are less harmful to the skin.
  • Many herbal ingredients such as pistachio fat promise to help reduce skin allergies, but in fact, they are not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and also not effective. It's best to use ingredients that have been tested and proven to work like ointments and lotions.

Warning

  • Many skin allergic reactions are not serious and heal on their own over time. However, you should see your doctor right away if you have signs of fever, chills, blurred vision, cough or wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, tongue, limbs, or hives. That could be a sign of a serious allergic reaction and should be addressed quickly.