KNOW YOUR ALLERGY TO STAY SAFE
Changing seasons bring in a variety of allergies. Experts help you prevent them and stay healthy
Whenever there is a change in the weather, every city reports an increase in cases of seasonal allergies with people suffering from cough and cold. Apart from these, some people get breathing problems, sore throat, itchy skin or even rashes on the skin. During changing seasons, people also tend to fall prey to indoor allergies such as dust mites and indoor mould as they spend more time inside during this season.
Mould and house-dust mites can also trigger asthma, cough, wheezing and shortness of breath. During this time, rise in pollution levels across cities have also become common. The smog can also trigger various infections in people with weak immune systems.
FIND THE SOURCE OF THE ALLERGY
Kanchan Naikawadi, a preventive healthcare specialist, says, “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, there is a specific blood test, comprehensive allergy test. Once the cause of allergy is known, the necessary measures or treatment can be taken.”
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.
As the season changes, the atmosphere and the temperature changes with it and the skin also needs to adapt to the changes. With the onset of winters, many develop scaly red rashes, which can be allergic in nature. Dr Sujit Shanshanwal, dermatologist, says, “The difference in the humidity needs to be accounted for and along with that the management of the skin problem has to be tailored accordingly. It is easy to manage the skin problems but it should be done under the consultation of a qualified dermatologist so that the right medications are prescribed. There are certain skin conditions, such as, psoriasis, which become worse during winters and extra precaution needs to be taken to keep them under control.”
Dr Kumar Doshi, pulmonologist, however, suggests home remedies to these issues. “Onions have a chemical called quercetin, which can reduce allergic reactions (berries have it too). Foods rich in vitamin C can also be helpful. Pineapples have bromelain, which is also anti allergic, however, you shouldn’t eat it, if you are allergic to it.”
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 more dry 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.
Dr Kruti Banodkar, dermatologist, says, “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 effected area, says Dr Vandana Punjabi, dermatologist, cosmetologist and trichologist, adding, “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.
There are certain skin conditions such as psoriasis, which become worse especially during winters and extra precaution needs to be taken to keep it under control
DR SHANSHANWAL, DERMATOLOGIST
This is a condition where 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.”