Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and with it comes the usual mix of joy and anxiety about how to best celebrate with your family and loved ones. Many of us may be thinking of traditional gifts we’d like to give:flowers, chocolate, wine, lingerie, scented candles or a simple handwritten love letter. This can get complicated if you or your loved one is among the 31.6 million Americans living with eczema and especially if you have any of the allergies that often coexist with this condition.
We asked doctors who treat eczema which activities to embrace and which to avoid so that you and your loved ones cancelebrate Valentine’s Day to its fullest.
Whether it’s a peck on the cheek from your kiddo, or a more romantic smooch from your partner, kissing is a lovely Valentine’s Day tradition you can safely embrace. In the words of Dr. Rupam Brar, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics in the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Enjoy kissing! Kissing releases feel good neurotransmitters and hormones like oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin. Feel good, look good.” This may sound overly simple, but there are a few small caveats to keep in mind. When it comes to lipstick or lip balms, Dr. Jeff Yu, director of occupational and contact dermatitis clinic at the Harvard Medical School, has reported that “certain lip balms may cause dermatitis in people who are allergic to ingredients in them, including lanolin (sheep’s oil), beeswax and other fragrances.” It’s important to make the distinction, though, Dr. Yu adds that “it’s a more important issue if you are actually wearing the product rather than short contact during kissing.” A quick conversation, then, is important to have to be sure your loved one knows about any potential allergies you might have. Steer clear of any triggering lip products and enjoy a boost of happy hormones with your loved one.
Tradition #2 to Avoid: Scented Candles, Incense and Perfume
While it’s tempting to light a few candles or burn that stick of sandalwood incense, it’s best to avoid these potential triggers if you live with eczema. “Absolutely avoid it if possible,” says Dr. Yu. “Even if you spray your perfume on your clothing, it’s enough to induce a rash or exacerbation of your eczema. There are fragrance free candles to set the mood if necessary. However, avoid incense and perfumes. Natural fragrances are no less allergenic than synthetic fragrances. Don’t let the labeling fool you!” Dr. Brar added an important point, too: “Avoid essential oils. Don’t be afraid of everything, but just be aware of what you put close to your body.”
Tradition #3 to Embrace: Anything with Silk Fabric
As an eczema-friendly gift, silk lingerie is a great choice, says Dr. Brar. “The important thing is to be proud of your skin showing, even if it’s not in perfect condition.” She advises caution for “anything with a scratchy texture like lace, or anything overly tight that might trigger itching.” For any member of the family who lives with eczema, Dr. Yu recommends 100% silk sheets as a safe but luxuriousgift. “They’re great for the skin since they are generally very soft and completely natural.” This is a great alternative to fabrics like wool, polyester or leather, all of which are more likely to irritate your skin.
Tradition # 4 to Avoid: Jewelry with Nickel or Cobalt
Be careful when you pick out a necklace, bracelet or wristwatch as a gift this Valentine’s Day. “Nickel or cobalt,” Dr. Yu explains, “are the most common allergens and can induce flares in the earlobes, neckline, or wrists.” According to Dr. Brar, you can test for nickel using a “spot test,” if, say, you wanted to give an old family heirloom to your loved one but didn’t know if it contained nickel. The spot tests are quick and affordable and widely available online. If you’re giving something new, it’s best to stick with “18K gold, silver, or platinum,” which are less likely to irritate the skin.
Tradition #5 to Embrace: Chocolate
Indulge your love of chocolate as a gift. Unless you have a specific food allergy related to chocolate, giving your loved one a heart-shaped box of chocolates is still a good eczema-friendly Valentine’s Day tradition. “Keep in mind that chocolate contains antioxidants that have overall health benefits,” Dr. Brar says. “Just watch out for cross contamination if you are allergic to nuts.” Dr. Yu points out that cocoa beans may be high in nickel, but “this is rare and if you haven’t had an issue with it in the past, there shouldn’t be a need to avoid chocolate now.” So, as always, consider your own medical history and any allergens your loved ones may have, and, if chocolate has been a good gift for you in the past, it remains an eczema-friendly tradition come Valentine’s Day.
New Bonus Tradition
Many members of our NEA community mentioned an additional, new eczema-friendly Valentine’s Day tradition: alone time. That’s it. Plain and simple. In a year of crowded homes and online school, it may be that the best gift you can give your loved ones is the relaxing gift of a little quiet time alone. Take the kids, take the dog, take on your partner’s share of the household chores, and give your loved one a few hours to relax, unwind and soak up the “me time.”
Yes, you can kiss someone with eczema. Eczema is not contagious and cannot be spread through physical contact, including kissing. However, those with eczema may have sensitive skin, so it's important to avoid any potential irritants that might trigger a flare-up.
Yes, you can kiss someone with eczema. Eczema is not contagious and cannot be spread through physical contact, including kissing. However, those with eczema may have sensitive skin, so it's important to avoid any potential irritants that might trigger a flare-up.
environmental factors or allergens – such as cold and dry weather, dampness, and more specific things such as house dust mites, animals, pollen and moulds. food allergies – such as allergies to cows' milk, eggs, peanuts, soya or wheat. certain materials worn next to the skin – such as wool and synthetic fabrics.
For those with dyshidrotic eczema (eczema of the hands and feet), foods that contain nickel make exacerbate symptoms. These include canned meats, chocolate, seeds, beans (including soy), peas, shellfish, and even some black teas.
What foods make eczema worse? There is wide range of foods that might worsen eczema. The foods most commonly found in both immediate and delayed reactions are cow's milk, hen's egg, wheat and peanuts. To identify which foods may make eczema worse your doctor may try a diet which removes the suspected foods.
In more severe cases, atopic eczema can cause widespread inflamed skin all over the body and constant itching. Children with black and brown skin may get round patches of eczema on their skin, or eczema where hair grows. Inflamed skin can look red on white skin, and darker brown, purple or grey on brown or black skin.
Eczema typically develops in early childhood and in a small number of cases spontaneously resolves on its own. For everyone else, eczema is usually a lifelong skin condition. While scientists have yet to find a cure, there are treatments and ways to manage your eczema to minimize flare-ups.
Eczema symptoms can vary. For some, they're mild, but for others, they're moderate or severe. They can even cause embarrassment because of their appearance and interfere with daily life.
Life with eczema means touching your skin and, inevitably, scratching. But too much scratching (or, worse, picking) can be damaging, can lead to infections and scarring and it can become a problem unto itself.
You can't catch someone else's dry itchy skin, or scaly patches or inflammation, just because you're close to them, or even touching them. Eczema is not contagious, no matter what.
Eczema is among the most common skin conditions. It can occur in people of any age, sex, or ethnicity. Up to 30% of dermatology visits are for eczema and related conditions, and an estimated 10% of Americans have some form of the skin disorder.
Foods that are rich in skin-protecting and cell-building can help curb eczema flare-ups. Meats such as beef or chicken are especially rich in skin-repairing amino acid glycine which can provide relief to dry patches and irritation by healing the skin cells.
However, because dyshidrotic eczema causes you to develop small blisters and cracked skin, you should stay away from acidic foods — for example, citrus fruits — that can cause additional surface irritation.
Relieve the itch by using a moisturizer. Antihistamines may help reduce severe itching. Your health care provider may recommend topical steroids. These should not be used for more than 3 months without taking a break.
If your eczema prefers lower temperatures, try sleeping with an electric fan on. If funds permit, an air conditioning unit can be an invaluable addition – especially during a heatwave. Some people with eczema even keep a mini fridge for the bedroom, so they have cold emollient and drinks to hand throughout the night.
Bathing and showering can help dry skin and eczema, but there are some important points to consider. The water temperature should be lukewarm, not hot, as this can cause drying and skin irritation. Keep the bath or shower short, ideally 5-10 minutes. Avoid using soaps, shower gels, bubble bath and shampoos.
Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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