ALLERGIES: WAYS TO CONQUER THE ITCH
Relieving the itch is the first order of business, an essential step to take before you even begin to scout around for the cause of your misery. Not only will you welcome the comfort of relief, but you’ll also eliminate the danger of infection (and possible scarring) from continued scratching. There are plenty of effective ways to conquer the itch.
Ice cubes, rubbed on skin whenever you get the urge to scratch, take the fire out of inflammation.
Cold, wet dressings soothe eczema and help to stop not only itching but oozing. And the colder the dressing, the more effective, says Alexander A. Fisher, a professor of dermatology at New York University Postgraduate Medical School and author of a textbook on skin problems. ‘Wet dressings consisting of water with ice, made to the consistency of sherbet and applied with a cotton cloth for five to fifteen minutes and reapplied as necessary, are often well tolerated and beneficial,’ says Dr Fisher (Contact Dermatitis, Lea and Febiger).
We found an easy way to make Dr Fisher’s anti-itch slush. To break up the cubes, empty a tray of ice cubes into a plastic bag and pound it with a wooden meat mallet. Then empty the cracked ice into a blender with two tablespoons of cold water and, in several short bursts, blend into a mush. Wrap in cotton and apply to irritated skin.
Dr Fisher isn’t the only doctor who favors cold, wet treatment.
‘Cool compresses or ice packs relieve itching faster and more safely than most medications,’ says Nia K. Terezakis, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Louisiana State University.
Lotions of calamine and milk of bismuth, following wet compresses, bring down weeping, swelling and redness, says Dr Terezakis.
Night dressings of zinc oxide paste (available at chemists), applied on a closely woven cotton cloth, are also suggested by Dr Fisher.
Vinegar in water (2 fl oz/50 ml of vinegar in 2 pints/1.25 1 of water) is soothing.
Lukewarm water baths are extremely soothing, especially for inflammation around the genitals and buttocks or for widespread symptoms. A soothing bath is also a good way to soak off ointments and medications once they’ve served their purpose. Dr Fisher recommends 10 ? oz/280 g of colloidal oatmeal (available at chemists) to a tub of water. This mixture is called a ‘colloidal’ bath because the particles stay suspended in the water to soothe the skin rather than settling to the bottom of the tub. Other colloidals recommended by Dr Terezakis are: skimmed milk, powdered milk, cornstarch, baking soda, or a combination of any of these ingredients. (Colloidal baths do make the tub slippery, though, so be extra careful climbing in and out. A rubber bath mat is a good safeguard.) Depending on the extent of your problem, one to three baths a day should be helpful. As you heal, you’ll need to bathe less frequently.
Soaking in tepid water is comforting, even without colloidals. Whatever you do, avoid hot baths and showers.
Moisturize your skin by always applying a bland, non-allergenic moisturizing cream such as Nutraderm or Nivea Lotion after bathing or showering to prevent drying, itching and further irritation.
Humidify the bedroom in winter and dehumidify in summer to keep your skin comfortable.
Arthur L. Norms, professor of dermatology at Indiana University School of Medicine, recommends some further steps to reduce irritation and control itching and other symptoms.
Substitute 100 per cent cotton clothing, sheets and blankets for synthetics or synthetic/cotton blends.
Wash new clothing and sheets before they’re worn to get rid of chemicals used to stiffen fabric. We know a woman whose whole body broke out in an itchy, disfiguring rash after she slept on brand-new sheets. After several washings, they were finally safe to use.
Rinse all clothing and sleepwear in clear water after washing. Don’t use fabric softener or other laundry aids. And be sure to use low-suds detergents without enzymes, whiteners, bleach and other additives.
Avoid tight clothing, tight dressings and adhesive bandages. Anything that rubs against your skin is going to aggravate the situation, says Dr Norms.
Stay out of the sun. The last thing that red, inflamed or scaly skin needs is to be cooked with heat and light.
Rest. Healing takes energy. If your arm or leg is so bad that it’s swollen and red from top to bottom, you may have to rest it completely for a few days so it can heal itself successfully. In fact, if it’s your misfortune to have a whole-body skin rash, your doctor may order a few days of bed rest.
In more than nine people out of ten, reactions will be mild or moderate. Only 3 per cent react severely. If your skin problems are severe and widespread, covering 50 per cent or more of your body, don’t fool around with self-diagnosis. Body-wide involvement calls for medical attention and sometimes even special hospitalization to isolate the individual from all chemical exposure.
*70/65/5*
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Tags: Allergies
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