Identifying and managing allergen/irritant flares

One of the most common cause of TSW flares is irritant and/or allergen exposure. TSW skin is always in contact with the environment, and being so sensitive, is easily triggered by anything that touches it, even minute particles in the air! We often flare up with seemingly no reason because anything can set it off. However it is possible to get acquainted with our triggers and avoid them, and eventually flare with less intensity and frequency.

It is first important to understand that allergens and irritants are two different things.

Allergens are what your body naturally has an immune response to. It is an allergy and allergies can change over time. Your allergies may disappear, reappear or you may acquire new ones randomly. Irritants are substances that irritate your skin, whether you have healthy skin or not. These are usually strong chemical such as antiseptic/antibacterial products. Even healthy skin can become irritated/dry from constant exposure (e.g. doing the dishes with hot water and antiseptic dishwashing liquid daily).

There are many allergens and irritants in our daily environments that can cause a reaction without us knowing. TSW skin is so sensitive that it can react to products formulated for sensitive skin or baby skin. Some sensitive skin or baby skin even contain strong fragrances! The following is a list of potential allergens and irritants that are in our daily environment.

Look through the list and check if you might be exposed to them every day. You may not even know that your skin is reacting to them, until you remove them. If you are having constantly red and inflamed skin, or cycles of red/inflamed to flaking and then red again, you might have an allergen/irritant around you. Upon removing them or avoiding them, your skin will get better!

 Clothing and fabric of items such as bedsheets, chairs, sofas

• Fuzzy materials such as wool, acrylic, furs

• Synthetic materials that are rough to touch e.g. polyester blends, crepe

• Unbreathable/overly tight materials e.g. scuba/neoprene

• Fabrics that fur/shed easily

• Prolonged periods of covering oozy skin with fabrics/towels

Air quality

• Presence of nearby construction sites

• Smoke from cigarettes, burning, incense, haze

• Use of air fresheners/fragrances/essential oils/scents

• Mold on ceilings/air-conditioning

• Avoid going to hotpot or barbecues due to the smoke/steam and food particles in the air

Daily products

• Facial wash, shampoos and soaps containing phytosterols and/or harsh ingredients

• Exfoliating products/acidic products

• Lotions containing ingredients unsuitable for your skin

• Baby wipes/cleaning wipes

• Fibres from tissue paper/paper towels

Cleaning products

• Laundry detergents and softeners

• Floor and surface detergents e.g. Dettol

• Washing detergents

• Insect repellents

• Fabric or carpet cleaners/sprays

• Leather cleaner
  

Furniture and home environment

• New furniture with heavy smell of plastic, new leather

• Furniture made of wood shavings

• Fresh coat of paint/laminate

• Dusty surfaces/floor/corners
  

Natural environment

• Exposure to harsh sun

• Heat and sweating

• Dryness from air-conditioning

• Humidity may cause more oozing

• Pollen

• Grass and mud

• Animals/pet fur, dander and/or saliva
  

Lifestyle

• Spicy or fermented foods

• Airplane flights

Note: It is also a common misconception that all-natural/plant-based products do not cause flares. Nature and plants can be allergens as well (common ones are pollen, grass, fur/dander), just as much as synthetic products can. Skin can still react to plant-based soaps and detergents.

Note 2: Antiseptic and antibacterial cleaning products in general are harsh on the skin, and recommended to be avoided

Identifying an allergen/irritant flare

The skin’s speed of reaction to an allergen/irritant can vary largely, as quick as an immediate reaction after exposure, to reacting after prolonged exposure. This depends on 1) how strong the skin is and 2) how strong the allergen is.

Signs of an irritant flare are: redness, heat/warmth on the affected area, hives, increased itch, increased flaking. For weaker skin, oozing can happen. After prolonged exposure, the skin quality continues to drip in a cycling fashion, with periods of oozing, then flaking, then oozing again.

On the palms of hands and soles of feet, bubbles with clear fluid appear and are usually itchy. When bubbles are burst or when the skin is torn, it can be painful/sore.

Caring for an allergen/irritant flare

Remove any suspected allergen and irritant immediately and cleanse the skin with water or saline solution. It can take a few days and up to 2 weeks for the flare to calm down and subside. How long the flare takes to subside depends on 1) strength of the skin 2) duration of exposure to allergen 3) strength of the allergen.

Some examples: