A few weeks ago, my friend was telling me that she was being kept awake at nights by a mysterious âstingingâ sensitivity on her eyelids. She had no idea what was causing the sensitivity, or why it continued for days at a time.
She keeps a clean home, so I didnât think her allergies had anything to do with dirt or dust⦠Curious about what it could be, though, I did a little more research and you wonât believe what I discovered.
Almost anything can be an allergenâwhether itâs natural or man-made. If you canât kick the sniffles, rashes, or hives and have no idea whatâs causing the symptomsâhere are five hidden allergens that could be affecting you right now:
Cleansing Wipes
Packaged cleansing wipesâfrom baby wipes to makeup remover and other pre-moistened wipesâare a common allergen. The chemicals used in these wipes can be known allergens, and the reason the reactions have been increasing is because of their growing popularity. If you notice sensitivity or a rash developing after use, stop using them. Soap and water, or just a moist cloth, should be fine. Itâs safer, natural, and cheaper!
Hand Creams and Moisturizers
There are almost too many ingredientsânatural and chemicalâto list in many of these products that are potential allergens. Whatâs even more interesting is that the allergy can lay dormant for years and appear out of nowhere. If youâve been using the same hand cream or moisturizer for the past five years (or longer) but have recently noticed a sensitivity or rash, switch it up. Iâd opt for natural moisturizers, like buttermilk, shea butter, or olive oil. Of course, you could be allergic to these, too, but itâs worth a shot.
Bed Sheets (or Rather, Whatâs in Them!)
There are microscopic organisms that are found in and on the furniture in your home. They feed on dead flakes of skin, so one of their more popular residences is in your bed sheets. These little guys thrive in moist, warm areas with dead skin flakes and they produce a fecal enzyme that can cause a number of allergic reactions. You can avoid this by washing your sheets once per week in warm water. Further, you can purchase mite-proof cases for your pillows and mattresses. These mites can live anywhere, especially in carpeting, so if itâs in the budget, cleaning wall-to-wall carpet can be very beneficial.
Nickel
This is an interesting one, and itâs quite common. You might experience a rash when you wear certain jewelry or clothing that contains nickel, but nickel is also found in a number of foods. Common in food that comes out of the groundâlegumes, nuts, whole grainsânickel can cause symptoms like nausea, joint pain, and fatigue.
The Weather
Itâs true; you might be allergic to the weather outside. âHeat rashâ is a symptom of heat urticaria that can cause swelling, hives, and itching. You can also have cold urticaria, which causes similar symptoms from the cold.
The best way to learn if youâre allergic to something is using the process of elimination.
As for my friendâshe changed her face wash and makeup remover, and the rash and sensitivity has since disappeared.
Sources for Todayâs Article:
Joelving, F., âWet wipes may cause rashes,â Reuters web site, June 21, 2010; http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/06/21/us-wet-wipes-cause-rashes-idUSTRE65K6FD20100621, last accessed July 24, 2015.
Zirwis, M., âMoisturizer Allergy,â Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology November 2008; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3016930/, last accessed July 24, 2015.
âDust Allergies,â American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology web site, 2014; http://acaai.org/allergies/types/dust-allergy, last accessed July 24, 2015.
Reitschel, R., et al., âDetection of Nickel Sensitivity Has Increased in North American Path-Test Patients,â Medscape web site, 2008; http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/572961, last accessed July 24, 2015.
âCold Urticaria,â Mayo Clinic web site, November 21, 2014; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cold-urticaria/basics/definition/con-20034524, last accessed July 24, 2015.