Natural skin allergy remedies are safe that you need to know

Minor symptoms of a skin allergy, such as a rash and hives, sometimes go away on their own, without needing treatment. However, sometimes allergies get worse when not handled properly. In addition to using drugs recommended by doctors, there are several options for natural remedies to treat skin allergies.

Choice of skin allergy remedies and home remedies

One of the main keys to controlling allergic skin reactions is avoiding allergens. Allergens are compounds that trigger the body's immune response to release histamine which later causes an allergic reaction.

Most allergens are actually harmless, but the immune system mistakenly recognizes them, causing allergy symptoms on the skin. Apart from avoiding skin allergens, such as metals and cosmetics, you can also relieve symptoms with natural remedies. Anything?

1. Ice compress

One natural way that can relieve skin allergy symptoms in addition to medication is to apply ice to the part that is experiencing an allergic skin reaction.

An ice pack or cloth dampened in cold water is sometimes effective in relieving itching and inflammation in the skin. The reason is, the cold temperature of the cloth gives a numbing effect to the targeted area. It also helps reduce swelling.

However, this method is only temporary, so it cannot be used as a long-term treatment.

In addition, you also need to pay attention to several things when compressing the affected area with a cold cloth, namely as follows.

• Protect your skin from the ice with a cloth or towel.
• Do not compress for more than 20 minutes.
• Give a break of about 1 hour before returning to compress the skin.

When used carefully, this method is actually quite safe to use for various problems that cause skin allergies. What's more, cold compresses are suitable when the itching from allergies does not spread to large areas of the body.

In some cases of sun allergy, the patient feels better after receiving cold compresses. However, always ask your doctor if this method is safe for your allergic condition.

2. Aloe vera

Known to have anti-inflammatory compounds, aloe vera is also said to be a natural remedy to help relieve skin allergy symptoms.

Aloe vera cream contains anti-inflammatory compounds, so it is thought to help relieve itching. In fact, in certain cases, this cream also helps relieve the burning sensation on the skin.

What's more, the anti-microbial properties in aloe vera also help kill whatever is on the skin. It also makes the skin look cleaner when scratched.

However, aloe vera cream is not a substitute for the skin allergy medication prescribed by a doctor. It's best to ask your doctor about the use of aloe vera, whether it suits your skin condition or not.

3. Oatmeal

Not only to fill the stomach, oatmeal can also be used as a remedy to treat skin allergies naturally. This food ingredient made from ground wheat kernels has been shown to help protect the skin against irritation.

This is because oatmeal contains water-binding polysaccharides and hydrocolloids that help maintain moisture on the skin. As a result, oatmeal acts as a moisturizer.

Apart from that, the fat content of oatmeal also increases its emollient activity, thereby helping to relieve itching on dry skin.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of oatmeal also inhibit the production of prostaglandins and the release of carbonic acid. This activity turns out to help protect the skin from sun damage and inflammation from various types of allergies.

Even so, there are some reports suggesting that topical use of oatmeal can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Therefore, always ask your doctor whether this alternative medicine can be used or not.

4. Avoid direct sun exposure

For those of you who have sensitive skin and have experienced irritation, avoiding the sun might be a good step. Exposure to UV rays and sunburn can certainly make you even more uncomfortable, especially because of the skin problems you are experiencing.

In addition, rashes and itching on the skin can also be caused by sun allergy (photosensitivity). This condition can occur when your skin comes into contact with an allergen after being exposed to the sun's heat.

For example, cosmetics, sunscreens, and perfumes can trigger an allergic reaction after exposure to sunlight. Therefore, the 'drugs' that can help you control allergic skin reactions naturally are avoiding the sun, namely:

• Use long sleeves
• Wear sunglasses and a hat when going out
• Avoid going outside during hot sun hours (10 am-4pm)

5. Wear loose clothing

If you are someone who gets a rash after wearing certain clothes, it is possible that you are allergic to the fabric of the clothing. The rash caused by the fabric of the clothes can lead to more severe conditions if you don't notice it right away.

If you already know what types of clothing trigger an allergic reaction, either through a self-test or an allergic skin test at the hospital, avoid allergens. This may sound difficult because the fabric is treated with a mixture of unregistered chemicals and dyes.

Here are some things you can do besides getting medicine from a doctor to treat skin allergic reactions due to textiles.

• Wear loose fitting clothes made of cotton and linen.
• Wear light colored clothes, as they contain less dye.
• Avoid clothes that are labeled "wash separately" as this means that the dye will run off easily.

If the skin condition gets worse even though you have followed the methods above, consult a doctor to get the right treatment.

Some of the drug options and natural treatments above are alternatives to help relieve and prevent skin allergies. However, this does not mean that the above options can replace the drugs given by a doctor.

Always ask your doctor about alternative treatments that will be done to relieve allergic reactions.