What Causes Sensitive Skin And How To Treat It

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sensitive skin

Sensitive skin happens for different reasons, like genes, things in the environment, or other skin issues. Harsh chemicals in skincare, extreme weather, and allergens are common reasons. To help sensitive skin, use products without smells that are good for allergies. Use gentle cleaners, moisturizers, and sunscreen to avoid problems. Don’t use hot water when you shower; use warm water instead. Drink enough water to keep your skin healthy. If the problem doesn’t go away, ask a skin doctor for advice and maybe get tested for allergies. Protect your skin from too much sun and use products made for sensitive skin to have healthier skin.

What is sensitive skin?

What Is Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin can act up because of things like weather, allergies, or certain products. Your skin might turn red, dry, sting, itch, or feel tight. It could also have bumps, scales, or hives. Problems like eczema, contact dermatitis, rosacea, and others are often the reasons for these reactions.

What are the symptoms of sensitive skin?

What are the symptoms of sensitive skin

Sensitive skin can show up like this

  • Red, swollen, and itchy skin
  • Skin that’s red, with or without swelling
  • Skin that stings or burns
  • Rashes or hives
  • Dry skin that might crack, blister, or bleed
  • Patches of skin that feel dry, hard, and like leather.
  • How it looks depends on why your skin is sensitive.

Sensitive skin often happens because of

Irritant contact dermatitis This is the most common type. It happens when your skin reacts to a chemical or something physical that harms the protective outer layer, causing a rash.

Allergic contact dermatitis This is when your skin reacts to an allergen or irritating chemical. It’s like an allergic or immune response.

Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is a long-lasting condition where the skin becomes rough and inflamed. It can come and go over time.

“If your skin is dry, it can make you more likely to have sensitive skin symptoms. This happens because when your skin doesn’t have enough moisture, it’s not as protected from things that can irritate it from the outside, like chemicals or other substances. Dr. Jih also says that skin conditions like rosacea, which causes inflammation, and photodermatosis, a skin reaction to light, can also make your skin more sensitive.”

What are common triggers for sensitive skin?

What are common triggers for sensitive skin

Dr. Jih says that just like sensitive skin symptoms can differ depending on what’s causing the inflammation, the things that most often cause each type of sensitive skin can also vary.

For irritant contact dermatitis, common triggers are

  • Being around heat and hot water.
  • It is using soaps, beauty products, hand sanitizers, solvents, or laundry detergents—basically, anything that can harm the outer layer of the skin.

Things that often cause allergic contact dermatitis are

  • Preservatives and fragrances in soaps, beauty products, and laundry detergents.
  • Some plants, like poison ivy, oak, and sumac,.
  • Being around heat and hot water.
  • Jewelry is made from certain metals, like nickel.
  • Rubber, latex, and adhesives.

Things that can cause eczema are

  • Certain foods, like dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and wheat.
  • Preservatives and fragrances in soaps, beauty products, and laundry detergents.
  • Extreme weather, whether hot or cold and factors like humidity and sweat.

it’s usually difficult for someone to figure out what’s causing their sensitive skin at home. That’s why talking to a dermatologist about your symptoms is important. sometimes sensitive skin can be a sign of another health issue, so it’s extra important to get checked by a doctor.

How is sensitive skin treated?
How is sensitive skin treated

If your skin is sensitive, you can do some things every day to help take care of it better

  • Don’t take really hot showers.
  • Use body wash, face wash, and moisturizer made for sensitive skin. Also, use sunscreen for sensitive skin.
  • Don’t use perfumes.
  • Stay away from beauty products and laundry detergents with strong smells.
  • Put on moisturizer regularly to stop your skin from getting too dry.

“Doing these things is usually enough to make irritant contact dermatitis and mild allergic contact dermatitis more manageable and prevent them,” explains Dr. Jih.

If you’re dealing with moderate allergic contact dermatitis, you can use over-the-counter medications like anti-itch creams and antihistamines to help control symptoms when they arise.

“For persistent skin allergies or more serious eczema, you may need treatment with topical corticosteroids or other medications,” notes Dr. Jih. “Your dermatologist can guide you in understanding the most suitable treatment plan for your specific sensitive skin condition.”

Can sensitive skin ever become serious?
Can sensitive skin ever become serious

“Though it doesn’t happen often, some people might have a very serious allergic reaction to a chemical or product that bothers their skin, “This is called anaphylaxis, and it’s a medical emergency that needs immediate attention from doctors.”

Signs of a really bad allergic reaction are not just things you see on your skin. They can also include

  • It’s hard to breathe
  • Your tongue, throat, or face is swelling up
  • A rash covers most or all of your body, and it hurts
  • You have blisters and signs of a skin infection
  • Feeling dizzy
  • Passing out

If you feel like you’re having a bad allergic reaction and you have these symptoms, contact your doctor 

FAQ’s

Q1. How do you deal with sensitive skin?

A2. Avoid taking very hot showers. Choose sensitive skin body wash, face wash, and moisturizer, as well as sunscreen.

Q2. How do you know about sensitive skin?

A2. Red, swollen, and itchy skin. Skin redness that presents with or without swelling; · Skin that stings.

Q3. What should sensitive skin avoid?

A3. Exfoliants, fragrances, alcohol, sulfates, and preservatives can be some of the most triggering skincare ingredients for sensitive skin.

Q4. Does sensitive skin go away?

A4. It’s not necessary to panic about skin sensitivities. Our dermatologists offer fast relief, but here are five methods you can employ at home to manage sensitive skin.

Q5. Sensitive skin in certain areas?

A5. Skin sensitivities can be found anywhere on the body, however, they are usually more noticeable on delicate parts like the face, armpits, elbows, and groin. Unfortunately, the face is the most exposed part of the body and is often the most affected.