The thing about skin allergies is that they are very different from typical allergies as they can show up out of nowhere. And when they do it can be distressing and confusing. Because the one that is dealing with a skin allergy that came out of the blue will wonder how they got it to begin with.
In fact, skin allergies are so misunderstood and can come from a variety of many things. Listed below are 13 myths about them that you need to stop believing.
#13 – Not Many Things Cause Skin Allergies
That is wrong because many things such as soap, detergents, metal, shampoos, fabric softeners, and topical medications can cause skin allergies. And about that new plant that you had picked up that is making your skin itch, that could be a culprit too.
#12 – Rashes Show Up As Skin Allergies
Sometimes rashes do show up as skin allergies but other times they do not. And if the rash is bumpy, itchy, or swollen, then that is an allergic reaction. It could be a reaction to a bracelet or a watch since metal can be a culprit. However, a skin allergy does not show up after just wearing some jewelry for hours. It could just be a rash.
#11 – Ointments That Are Prescribed Are Hypoallergenic
Medical ointments are not always hypoallergenic. In fact, active ingredients that are in various medical ointments can cause skin allergies. If you are having a bad reaction on your skin, then you need to see your doctor again. If you keep using it, it can make your situation even worse.
#10 – Allergies To Sunscreen Are Caused By The Ingredients
It is true that sometimes sunscreen ingredients can cause allergic reactions, these allergies can also be caused by the UV rays. The UV rays hitting the skin can cause allergies to act up. Sunscreens that have zinc or titanium oxide may help reduce those reactions in addition to limiting sun exposure.
#9 – Essential Oils Are Good For Your Skin
Some essential oils are good for your skin but others can also cause skin allergies. Even the popular ones such as lavender, peppermint, or tea tree oil can cause allergies. The only way to know if you have an allergy to a type of oil is to do a patch test to find out about the one you want to try.
#8 – Finding The Cause For Skin Allergies Is Easy
Unfortunately, as much as we would like to say that discovering the cause for those skin allergies is easy to do, it is not. That is because skin allergies take a while to show up. This means it can take over 48 hours to show up so you will not know the cause as it is difficult to trace back.
#7 – It Is Easy To Test For Skin Allergies
Testing for skin allergies is a lot more complex than testing for regular allergies. The way skin allergies are tested is by the allergist placing the allergen on a disc. And then the disc is sealed on the person’s back for 48 hours. Then after that, the wait time to see if there is a reaction is 4 days but more often than not, a reaction can happen in 2 days.
#6 – Change Up Body Wash And Shampoo To Prevent Them
The fact of the matter is that pretty much all body wash products and shampoos contain ingredients that will cause allergies. It is very hard to find any that don’t contain ingredients as there may be some fragrance-free ones that are around. But they are difficult to find, and they may still cause skin allergies. Switching it up will not accomplish much.
#5 – If You Have Not Had A Reaction To A Body Wash Or Shampoo By Now, Then You Are Safe
That cannot be further from the truth. In fact, if you have been using the same body wash or shampoo for decades, then you likely will end up with a skin allergy. That is because the longer you use a particular product for your skin or hair, the likelihood of developing a skin allergy to it increases.
#4 – If It Does Not Contain Latex You Will Be Fine
Latex skin allergies were a major concern at one time. However, very few products nowadays contain latex except for disposable rubber gloves. Therefore, there really are not many products for your skin or hair that contain latex. And, your risk for developing a skin allergy is not any less.
#3 – Your Cellphone Could Not Possibly Cause Skin Allergies
You would be surprised to know that many items that are made with metal can cause you to have an allergic reaction on your skin. Your cellphone is a big culprit since it is made with metal and you are holding it all of the time. The same goes for your keys, your pens, and anything else that is made with metal.
#2 – Skin Specialists And Allergists Can Deal With Skin Allergies
When you are saying that, you are putting too much faith and pressure towards dermatologists and allergists. Dermatologists treat other skin conditions such as rosacea, cancer, eczema, and psoriasis. However, skin allergies are difficult to pinpoint. However, there are skin allergy specialists that can be better suited to help.
#1 – Allergy Shots Can Help
Allergy shots are helpful when it comes to preventing seasonal allergies. However, unfortunately, there are no shots for skin allergies. The only real ‘remedies’ are steroid creams that can help reduce inflammation and itching.
Now you see how tricky skin allergies are to treat and to pinpoint. Unfortunately, those myths don’t help those who are suffering from it. But these are useful for anyone to be aware of.
