In the age of retouches and filters, it’s easy to believe that skin is supposed to be flawless and without imperfections. The unattainable beauty standards set by celebrities and influencers create unrealistic expectations that can affect a person’s body image.
As a doctor, I advocate for “healthy” skin and self-care rituals rather than “beautiful” skin.
From little kids with eczema (1 in 5 children in India suffer from the condition) to teenagers who suffer from acne and adults who’re covered in hives after having perfectly healthy skin all their lives — I’ve met people with a variety of skin woes. They’ve tried every hack – homemade face masks, products that promise spotless skin in seven days, you name it. But here’s the thing.
When it comes to skin allergies and treatment, it’s not about quick superficial fixes, but understanding your skin — its needs, what it’s allergic to, and what triggers it. Skin rashes can be caused by a number of factors such as infections, heat, allergens, immune system disorders, cosmetics, and medications. Identifying the source of the problem is the first step towards solving skin-related issues.
Did you know that the jewelry you wear or the lunch you eat could make your skin break out?
When the skin comes in direct contact with an irritant or chemical like Nickel (commonly used in jewellery/ watches), Dichromate (leather) or Colophony (used in sticking plasters) it could cause an allergic reaction. Additionally, your diet could also have an effect on your skin. Ingested allergens (mostly proteinaceous in nature) such as Casein protein, Egg protein and Seafood protein are common culprits! Watching what you eat is the best way to prevent skin issues from recurring!
Another common cause of skin rashes are insect bites. At a micro level, when the body comes in contact with an allergen it produces antibodies (IgE) to fight that particular allergen which may in turn manifest as scaly/ red/ bumpy skin lesions. The most common manifestations of skin allergies are:
Everyone deserves to feel good in the skin they’re in.
Skin allergies, if left untreated, can take a toll on your self esteem. From a health standpoint, skin flare ups can be indicative of more serious issues brewing under the surface. An integrative approach not only provides relief in the short run but also helps in long-term management of skin-related issues. Let me explain. In most skin allergies, there is usually an underlying upper respiratory allergy and sub-clinical sinusitis (sinusitis without symptoms). Once the allergen (foreign protein) enters your body, there is a constant production of IGE Antibodies (antibodies produced to fight a foreign protein) in your body. Excess production of these antibodies may slowly manifest hives, canker sores, etc. So in order to treat skin issues, we need to focus on treating upper respiratory allergies as well.
This is possible through an elimination diet and practicing jalneti daily.
The system gives a lot of importance to dietetics & nutrition to heal the body. An elimination diet is when the intake of certain foods (recognised to manifest in disease) is restricted for a stipulated period. With elimination diets, excess mucus production decreases and with jalneti, the existing mucus in the sinuses is washed off/comes out — thereby clearing out the nasal passages. Cleansing your sinuses help with decongestion of the nasal passages and elimination diet may bring down the excess IGE Antibody production thereby leading to decrease in frequency of allergic reactions.
The key is to listen to your body, understand what it’s trying to tell you and make necessary adjustments to your diet and lifestyle. While ointments and allergy medications can help control the rash or provide temporary relief, they’re not permanent solutions and cannot prevent future breakouts.
Have a skin allergy that’s bothering you lately? Drop by our clinic at Road No.10, Banjara Hills or book a virtual consultation by calling us at +91 95151 05391.
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