Your skin is the largest organ in your body, so when you face skin irritation due to dry or sensitive skin, it can hinder your daily life. If you’re dealing with frequent allergic reactions to your skin, you may have sensitive skin.
What is Sensitive Skin vs. Dry Skin?
Sensitive skin is a condition that occurs in people who have genetic differences in the normal protective skin barrier or those who experience skin irritation that causes inflammation.
When you have sensitive skin, your immune system overreacts to an allergen or irritant, causing inflammation. Some people have sensitive skin from birth, while others can experience it when they are exposed to allergens or irritants.
On the other hand, xerosis, or dry skin, is caused when your top layer of skin dries out due to lack of moisture. Genetic or environmental factors like extreme temperatures can cause dry skin. Strong soaps that strip the moisture from the skin or frequent handwashing can also lead to dry skin.
Dry skin often has symptoms such as scaling, peeling, flaking, mild itching, tight skin, and even cracks that could bleed.
Fortunately, although dry skin is inconvenient and uncomfortable, it is not often a serious medical concern. People can experience both sensitive and dry skin. Dry skin can weaken the protective outer layer of your skin, making you more susceptible to irritation by chemicals and other substances.
What are the Signs That I Have Sensitive Skin?
In most cases, people with sensitive skin will experience symptoms such as:
- Hives
- Rashes
- Stinging or burning of the skin
- Redness of the skin with or without swelling
- Cracked, dry skin that may bleed or blister
- Hard, dry, or leathery patches of skin
- Skin that is swollen, red, or itchy
Symptoms of sensitive skin can vary based on the cause of the reaction. Sensitive skin is often caused by irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, or eczema.
Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common and presents as a nonspecific rash that is formed after exposure to a physical agent that damages your skin’s protective outer layer. This skin condition can be triggered by exposure to heat and hot water, as well as soaps, hand sanitizer, beauty products, laundry detergents, solvents, etc.
An immune or allergic reaction to an allergen, irritating chemical, or other substance causes allergic contact dermatitis. Fragrances and preservatives in common laundry detergents and beauty products, plants like poison ivy, latex, adhesive, rubber, and jewelry made from metals like nickel can trigger this condition.
Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a chronic skin condition that flares up periodically, presenting with inflamed, rough skin. It is often triggered by humidity or sweat, hot or cold weather, soaps and beauty products’ preservatives and fragrances, and foods such as nuts, soy, and wheat.
How Can I Treat My Sensitive Skin?
For those with sensitive skin, the experts at Allergy & Clinical Immunology Associates recommend that you follow some basic sensitive skincare tips to help keep symptoms at bay:
- Don’t use perfumes.
- Avoid very hot showers.
- Use a moisturizer on your skin regularly to prevent dry skin.
- Choose a sensitive skin formula when choosing a body wash, lotion, face wash, or moisturizer.
- For sunscreen, use a sensitive skin formula.
- Steer clear of any scented laundry detergents or beauty products.
- Over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines and antiitch creams can help manage symptoms when they occur. However, consult with your allergy specialist before using new products or taking new medications.
When Should I Seek Immediate Medical Attention for an Allergic Reaction?
While a life-threatening skin reaction is rare, it can occur in some people. Anaphylaxis is a serious medical condition requiring emergency medical attention to manage. If you think you are experiencing a severe allergic reaction, you will likely experience symptoms beyond skin irritation, such as tongue, throat, or face swelling, fainting or dizziness, difficulty breathing, blisters or signs of a skin infection, and a painful rash that covers most of the body.
Call 911 immediately if you think you are having a severe allergic reaction.
Allergy Treatments at Allergy & Clinical Immunology Associates
At Allergy & Clinical Immunology, our team of experts can help you identify your allergies and create an expert skin allergy care plan to help you manage them. Our Pittsburgh area patients can take advantage of comprehensive testing and face-to-face consultations for the best care possible. Contact us today to learn more about our allergy care services!