5 Signs That Your Skin Is Sensitive
Sensitive skin is more than an inconvenience. It has the potential to disturb your way of life. The skin is the largest organ in your body, but it is also the pickiest. Chemicals are known to cause skin irritation, but did you know that daily goods such as sunscreen and beauty products can also cause it?
Sensitive skin, or the sensory reaction caused by a product or environmental use, can be induced by a variety of factors, including cosmetics. While skin sensitivity is not an illness, it might be an indication of another condition, such as eczema or rosacea, if it occurs frequently. Here’s what you should know about sensitive skin, including its causes and symptoms.
What causes skin sensitivity?
Sensitive skin is rather frequent. Research published in Frontiers of Medicine found that up to 70% of women and 50% of males have sensitive skin. When I say skin, I’m referring to the epidermis, the skin’s outermost protective layer. This layer is in charge of keeping items that can harm us out. This layer is often weaker in sensitivity, making it vulnerable.
Skin sensitivities have numerous underlying reasons, which influence how symptoms manifest.
Allergic contact dermatitis: This type of dermatitis is caused by an immunological or allergic reaction to a substance. According to JAMA Dermatology, allergic contact dermatitis affects around one in every five people. This can happen with new items, or it can happen with products you’ve used for years. Fragrances in cosmetic items, preservatives in products, and some metals, plants, and adhesives are all common allergies.
irritating contact dermatitis: Your body does not respond to irritating contact dermatitis. Instead, the irritant with which you come into touch affects the outer epidermis. It might occur after a single use or after repeated exposure. Soaps, cleansers, and beauty products can all cause irritating contact dermatitis. It can also happen as a result of heat.
Atopic dermatitis, often known as eczema, is a persistent skin disorder that can flare up and irritate the skin. Eczema flare-ups can be triggered by foods, hot or cold weather, or beauty products.
5 common indications that you have sensitive skin
There are common indicators of sensitive skin regardless of the reason for your reaction. If you encounter these symptoms, see your doctor to find out which chemical is causing your reaction. It is critical to determine whether the problem is an allergic reaction or skin irritation.
1. You frequently have rashes
Rashes are one of the most typical signs that someone has sensitive skin. When your skin is sensitive to products, you will notice an immediate reaction. Rashes may appear as lumps or red spots on the skin. They are frequently more severe if you react to a product that has been left on your skin, such as sunscreen or moisturizer. If you’ve noticed rashes or redness after using certain items, you may have sensitive skin.
2. You have acne on your skin.
Acne and breakouts on delicate skin can feel like a catch-22 situation. You want to address the breakouts, but depending on what you use, over-the-counter acne medications may irritate your sensitive skin. To begin, it is advisable to look for anti-inflammatory products. You should avoid using multiple types of skincare products or acne treatments at the same time. To isolate goods that irritate your skin, introduce and use them one at a time.
3. You have dry skin spots.
Dry patches are another manifestation of skin sensitivity. When the skin is overly dry, it lacks the moisture needed to defend itself from irritants. As a result, dry skin is not only an indicator of sensitive skin, but it can also contribute to the aggravation of symptoms. Dry skin can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Some people have flaky or scaly skin spots, while others have general dryness. Dry skin occurs more frequently when exposed to chilly temperatures or wind. You can address dry skin by using a mild moisturizer or ointment.
4. You have stinging or burning skin.
Using excessively severe skin care products can cause a burning or stinging feeling. This is one of the most obvious symptoms of allergic dermatitis. Moisturizers, sunscreen, cleansing wipes, and deodorant are examples of beauty items that regularly contain skin irritants. A smart alternative is to look for hypoallergenic products designed for delicate skin.
5. Itches on your skin
Another sign of sensitive skin is skin that feels tight and itches after coming into contact with beauty products or chemicals. Your initial thought may be to take a shower and wash the products away. While it is essential that you remove them from your skin, you should be aware that hot water can aggravate symptoms. Use lukewarm water instead. Consider itchy, sensitive skin, such as chicken pox or a new tattoo; it may feel nice to itch it at the time, but you’re exposing yourself to infection. If your skin responds in this way on a frequent basis, consult your doctor about ointments to relieve symptoms.
What is the treatment for sensitive skin?
Because sensitive skin is not an illness, there is no magic medicine to heal it. Symptoms can be treated with doctor-prescribed steroid creams and antihistamines. Natural solutions for sensitive skin, such as oatmeal or hypoallergenic moisturizers, are other options. It’s better to discover your sensitive skin’s triggers and attempt to eradicate them from your life.
The following are common triggers for sensitive skin, according to the FDA:
- Soaps with fragrances
- Cleaners and chemicals
- Preservatives in cosmetics
- Color pigments and dyes
- Nickel and other metals
- Tea tree essential oil
It’s necessary to consult a doctor if your rashes don’t go away, cover your entire body, or become painful. Based on your medical history, symptoms, and environment, your doctor can undertake a physical examination and tests to check you for common allergens.
Your doctor will do skin and blood tests to detect allergies. Prick and intradermal skin tests are the two most popular forms of skin tests. Prick tests are the most popular and involve introducing a trace quantity of the allergen into your body via a small prick. The allergen is injected under the skin during intradermal testing.
Seek emergency medical attention if you are having trouble breathing or if your tongue or throat is swelling.
This article is designed for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be health or medical advice. If you have any questions about a medical condition or your health goals, always see a physician or other trained health expert.