Spring is upon us, which means cute sundresses, weekends spent outdoors and, unfortunately, allergy season. Allergies often cause physical symptoms such as sneezing, runny eyes, headaches and more. Allergies can also affect your skin, specifically the sensitive skin on your face. This can be seen in puffy eyes, a sallow complexion, or red and itchy skin. Here are a few tips to help combat spring allergies that affect your skin.
Try an OTC medicine. After consulting with your doctor, head to the local drugstore for an antihistamine, such as Allegra, to help soothe your symptoms and prevent flare-ups. There are also various herbal remedies you could use in place of OTC medicine, so be sure to research that as well if it’s what you prefer.
Avoid products with fragrances. Strong fragrances in your beauty products– everything from makeup to your facial moisturizer– can further irritate your skin during allergy season. Look for products labeled “fragrance-free” or marked specifically for sensitive skin, since these are your best bet.
Avoid anything with parabens or propylene gycol. Much like strong fragrances, products that contain these preservatives can irritate skin.
Monitor pollen and mold counts. Keep track of the weather reports on the Internet or on television– local news stations often include this information during allergy seasons.
Stay super-clean. Especially during spring, make sure to take showers often. Washing your hair and changing your clothes after you’ve been working or playing outdoors eliminates any form of allergens.