It's fall, ya'll! And, while there is plenty to love about the fall season, there are also some not so fun aspects, as well. Fall brings with it a slew of skin irritants from dryness to mold to foods. This fall, stay on the lookout for these 10 common skin irritants.
Ragweed allergens
During the fall, ragweed plants in the United States often flower. Hay fever is mostly caused by ragweed pollen (allergic rhinitis). The pollen from ragweed plants can also produce an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to it. You may see red, swollen spots on your skin or your eyelids. A ragweed rash normally appears two days after exposure but may go away in weeks.
Clothing
Atopic dermatitis is the most prevalent form of eczema,. People with this condition may get irritated wearing fall type clothes. This includes materials like wool, polyester, and natural fibers. Cotton and cotton-poly fabrics should be kept in your wardrobe if your garment fabric is causing itching, or irritation.
Wild parsnip plant
The fall is an ideal time for the growth of wild parsnip. It's commonly found along highways and in grasslands. When exposed to sunlight and the sap of the wild parsnip plant, skin can develop a rash. It can looks and feel like it has been burned, becoming red and irritated within a day of exposure, and painful blisters may form.
Heat rash
Restricted sweat ducts hold perspiration under your skin, causing heat rash or prickly heat. Itchy, red clusters of little blister-like bumps are Miliaria rubra, one kind of heat rash. Another kind of heat rash, Miliaria crystallina, appears as little, transparent pimples packed with clear fluid. Heat rash isn't life-threatening and will go away on its own once the affected area has cooled.
Chigger bites
Chiggers are a type of small mite that thrives during fall months on tall grass and weeds. Chiggers can adhere to the cuffs of your pants or the sleeves of your shirts if you come into contact with infected plants. After a few days, they fall off, leaving behind an itchy, pink bumpy surface. Chigger bites can get red and crusty if scratched.
Fragrances
A lot of people suffer from fragrance allergies when the seasons change. Some people are allergic to musk, while others are sensitive to vanilla. However, because there are many in the market, finding the harmful component may prove difficult.
Foods
Food allergies, especially in the fall, can cause a wide range of skin reactions from hives to rashes. However, skin irritations are possible even when touching particular foods. Handling acidic foods or spices might be irritating if you have cuts or cracks on your hands.
Harsh winds
You can lose your skin's natural lipids due to strong winter winds. These lipids make up most of your skin's natural moisture barrier and prevent it from drying out. Wear a hat and scarf to shield yourself from the wind, and use a moisturizer with sunscreen before venturing outside.
Fall is no doubt one of the best times of the year when friends and families come together. Getting an unexpected breakout or rash is never fun, especially before a gathering or event. Be aware of possible skin irritants and protect your skin before skin issues rain on your parade. Also, don't forget that sun damage is cumulative so it's important to wear sunscreen even when there is overcast. Fall is also the perfect time of year to change up your skin care routine and pamper yourself. A cozy bubble bath, candles, and a pumpkin spiced latte, anyone?
