What Are Skin Allergies?
Skin allergies are a typical dynamic response of the skin to a stimulus triggered by a particular substance that you eat or touch. Not everyone has a skin that is sensitive to an allergen, but those who have a kind of an allergic reaction can counter it together with the rash which follows. Our bodies are different, and as one foreign substance is offensive to one’s body, they may not, to the bodies of others. Common substances which cause skin allergies are:
- insect bites
- plants such as poison ivy
- foods such as peanuts
- metals such as nickel
- fragrances
- latex
- cosmetics
- insecticides
- drugs such as antibiotics or antimalarial
- cleaning agents
These substances and many others, can create some harsh reactions on the skin of those who are allergic to them. Some of the signs following allergies include:
- blisters
- dryness
- redness
- itchiness
Some of the several types of skin allergies affecting people include diaper rashes, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, drug eruptions, and nummular eczema. Some of these allergic reactions appear as fluid-filled blisters, reddish rashes, scaly lesions or inflammation of the outer skin. Skin allergies occur as symptoms in themselves; a sign of a different disease or infection altogether. Regardless of the nature of the infection, you just want it gone anyway. Here are some home remedies for your skin allergies.
15 Home Remedies for Skin Allergies
Apple Cider Vinegar
The apple cider vinegar is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that contains acetic acid. This acetic acid also has antimicrobial qualities which will help to counter the organisms the reaction of the skin to some allergies. Use a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and one cup of warm water to make a mixture and rub it on the area of the skin reaction using a cotton ball. Leave it for fifteen minutes and after the ACV mixture dries up, you may rinse it. Repeat it twice every day.
Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant is one of the most common medicinal plants around. It is famous for its healing and anti-inflammatory abilities. You will need to get the gel of the aloe vera plant and rub it on the affected parts of the skin. Leave the aloe vera gel to dry up for about thirty minutes before you rinse it off. Do this three times every day, and you will see its action after a few days. If you don`t have access to fresh aloe vera, you can always buy organic some aloe vera gel from stores near you. It works effectively against rashes, itches, and lesions.
Coconut Oil
This is another natural moisturizer that can speed up anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity on the skin. Ensure it’s warm before you apply it to the reacting skin. Wash it off the skin area thirty minutes after rubbing in the coconut oil and dry it up with a clean cloth. Do this every day until you experience positive changes. This will help out with mitigating the itching and swelling.
Petroleum Jelly
You can also rub Vaseline or any type of petroleum jelly on the area of the allergic reaction as many times as possible daily. This can help inhibit new microbial infections and form a layer of protection on the affected part of the skin. It is also a great way to moisturize and keep your skin hydrated.
Lemon Juice
Lemon is a familiar fruit of the citrus family which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Get some juice of lemon fruit in two cups of water (or half a lemon in a cup of water), and rub it on the skin reaction as frequently as possible to prevent the spread of the reaction or infection. It will also relieve you of the itches.
Manuka Honey
This is one of the few remedies that contain immunoregulatory qualities. This substance offers a quickened healing process of rashes and relief from swelling. You only need to rub the manuka honey on the affected area of the skin, allow it to stay for half an hour, then rinse.
Baking Soda
Make a thick paste with a teaspoon of baking soda using a little water. Rub the baking soda paste on the area of allergic reaction and allow it to stay for about ten minutes before washing it off. Do this as many times as possible every day. The baking soda restores the pH level of the infected part of the skin because of its alkaline nature.
Guava Leaves
Guava leaves have powerful anti-inflammatory ethanolic components which relieve itches. Pound a few guava leaves and rub it on the affected skin after Soak guava leaves in a little water for about thirty minutes, then pound them and rub on the affected area of the skin. Do this twice daily until the allergic reactions disappear.
Peppermint Oil
You can keep skin allergies away with a mixture made of peppermint oil. Mix seven drops of peppermint oil and a teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil. Rub this oil combination on the reacting area of your skin and leave for about an hour before washing it off. Repeat this procedure thrice daily for some days. The anti-inflammatory menthol in the peppermint oil will numb the pain and itching of the rashes and swelling of the skin.
Neem
A preparation from neem leaves can soothe any skin that suffers from allergic reactions because it is an anti-inflammatory agent and a natural antihistamine. Grind some dry or fresh neem leaves and make it into a paste. Rub this paste on your skin and allow it to stay for 30 minutes before you rinse your skin. This should be used about four times every day until there are positive changes.
Ginger
This is another anti-inflammatory agent that soothes the symptoms of skin allergies. Boil a slice of ginger in a cup of water and let it simmer for about five minutes. After it has cooled off, use a cotton ball to apply the ginger water on the rashes or swelling. Leave it on for at least thirty minutes before rinsing. Repeat this process three times a day for several days. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory abilities of the ginger liquid will help treat allergies.
Tea Tree Oil
Make a mixture of seven drops of tea tree oil and one teaspoon of olive oil or jojoba oil and use it to massage the skin with allergic reactions. Let the oil stay on for about an hour and rinse it. Keep this up four times daily until there is a restoration of the skin. This mixture will offer instant relief for itches and reduce the inflammation due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Tulsi
Tulsi leaves, also known as holy basil leaves, have a wide range of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory capabilities that checkmate infections of the skin. They are great for reversing the effects of skin allergies and reducing redness or swelling on the skin. Use a grinder to mesh and grind a couple of holy basil leaves into a paste. Rub the paste into onto the affected area of the skin and allow it to remain for about thirty minutes before you rinse it off with warm water. Repeat this several times daily until you experience signs of healing on your skin.
Black Seed Oil
Kalonji black seed oil works as an analgesic and has antipruritic qualities. The black seed oil contains thymoquinone, which can be very active in nullifying skin allergies. Rub the black seed oil onto the area of skin reaction and wait for about an hour before wiping it off. Repeat it as many times as possible within a day and continue the sequence for a few more days until the skin is healed.
Minerals, Vitamins, and Water
There are many health benefits we get from the various vitamins and minerals in our diet. Some vitamins notable for skin health include vitamins A, C, and E, while minerals like magnesium are useful in skin care and healing. These vitamins and minerals collaboratively work as antioxidants and antihistamines, which make skin allergies less severe. Magnesium and vitamin E take care of inflammation of the skin, and enough Vitamin C with water keeps the skin immune to allergic reactions. These vitamins and magnesium are present in some fruits such as tangerine, oranges, lemon, and other citrus fruits, potatoes, carrots, vegetable leaves such as spinach, broccoli, kale, and nuts such as cashew nuts and walnuts. There are some supplements that contain these vitamins, however, you will have to see your doctor before taking them.