Is Skin hypersensitivity a disease and how to recognize it?

– This is a fairly common problem, but it does not belong to the category of diseases. Hypersensitive Skin is characterized by an overreaction to triggers. Both normal, oily and dry skin can become hypersensitive at certain times.

Signs of this condition:

tight feeling,

redness with temperature changes, contact with water or the sun,

dryness,

overreaction to insect bites, contact with household chemicals, certain medications.

There are situations in which people suffer from skin diseases for quite a long time (psoriasis, lichen planus, discoid lupus erythematosus), but regard them as manifestations of hypersensitive skin. A dermatovenereologist will be able to understand and prescribe the correct treatment.

What can cause hypersensitive skin?

– There are many provoking factors, they can be exogenous (external) and endogenous (internal).

Exogenous factors:

extreme heat or cold, temperature changes, ultraviolet radiation, air pollution;

work in hazardous conditions, for example, with an increased content of harmful substances and impurities in the air;

the use of household chemicals that irritate the skin;

use of patches;

frequent depilation, in which alcohol-containing preparations are applied to the skin;

the presence in the menu of spicy hot food;

alcohol consumption, smoking, including passive;

such cosmetic procedures as facial dermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, TCA peels;

surgical interventions;

long-term treatment with retinol preparations or topical steroids (retinoid, corticosteroid dermatitis).

Endogenous factors of skin hypersensitivity include:

genetic predisposition (if close relatives have sensitive and / or dry skin or thin with superficially located vessels);

the presence of dermatoses (atopic, seborrheic, perioral dermatitis, rosacea, eczema, xerosis);

immunoallergic diseases and/or delayed or immediate hypersensitivity reactions;

problems of internal organs (diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and thyroid gland, dysbacteriosis, hypovitaminosis);

pathology of the walls of blood vessels (congenital and / or acquired), vegetative-vascular dystonia;

taking certain medications (for example, from the group of retinoids);

stress, depression and other psycho-emotional experiences;

hormonal disorders, menopausal and premenstrual syndromes, pregnancy.

– Insect bites provoke complications of several types: local (edema at the site of bites, infection of foci), general mild and moderate severity (urticaria, Quincke’s edema), local severe (swelling of the larynx with asphyxia) and general severe (up to anaphylactic shock) .

What should be the first aid for people with hypersensitive skin for insect bites?

– First, you need to wash the bite with cold water and soap and dry. Then treat with an antiseptic solution (for example, chlorhexidine). Do not use household chemicals for this purpose, they can cause additional allergization.

Which doctor should you contact if you are concerned about the bite site?

– First, you should contact the local therapist or general practitioner at the place of residence. The doctor will recommend antihistamines, solutions and pastes containing zinc, antiseptic solutions, steroid ointments.

If puffiness at the site of the bite exists for a long time, is not removed by the above means, is infected, and begins to actively appear in new places – go to a dermatologist.

Treatment is usually carried out on an outpatient basis, but if necessary, the doctor can hospitalize in a dermatological hospital.

If the bites are multiple and localized mainly on the face, and even more so accompanied by significant swelling, then this is a reason to immediately call an ambulance.

What precautions should people with hypersensitive skin take?

– Patients who are treated with multiple bites of various insects often ask: “What medicines can I take so that insects do not bite?”. Medications recommended by a doctor are aimed at relieving symptoms and reducing an allergic reaction to pre-existing manifestations. And prevention is standard and simple: the use of repellents, fumigators, wearing closed clothes, hats.

To live with sensitive skin in harmony, it is important to pay attention to caring for it.

Remember a few simple rules:

It is important to clean the surface of the skin with neutral mild products.

Dry gently and thoroughly.

Moisturize as often as possible (and after water procedures, it is necessary) with hypoallergenic products.

Do not use scrubs.

Avoid makeup.

Do not wear tight, constricting clothing, especially made of artificial and woolen materials.

Avoid bright colors in clothing that will be in direct contact with the skin.

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