Summer allergies

How we like summer! Outdoor plans, sunny days and plenty of time to enjoy them. But sometimes what starts out as a great day can end with a good scare. For this reason, we tell you what are the possible allergies that you can find this summer: how to prevent them, how to detect them and what to do if you suffer from one.

Pimples when sunbathing?

If you have noticed that they come out, it is most likely a polymorphous solar eruption , misnamed "sun allergy". Its symptoms (pimples or hives) appear in areas exposed to the sun within half an hour or after a few hours of taking it and gradually improve with subsequent sun exposures. If they appear immediately and in unexposed areas, it may be solar urticaria, but it is rare.

Treat sun allergy

To treat it once it has appeared, use a sun protection cream with a high protection factor (more than 30) and make short and progressive exposures to the sun. Depending on each case, the doctor may recommend a course of antihistamines. In case of urticaria, it is necessary to follow a treatment with antihistamines and avoid exposing yourself to the sun as much as possible. Whatever your skin, we have the perfect sunscreen for you.

How to prepare your skin for the sun

Cream with a high protection factor and short exposures is the best option to avoid rashes. According to Dr. García Abujeta, the effectiveness of nutricosmetics in this case has not been proven. For people with severe reactions, there are phototherapy treatments in referral hospitals. This treatment consists of gradually exposing the person to ultraviolet light that does not harm.

Clothing with sun protection

According to a study by the OCU, there are very reliable sun protection garments and others that do not serve to give the extra protection that sensitive people need. It is important to look at the label and ask a specialist which ones are more advisable.

What if it's the cold that gives you an allergy?

Between one and five percent of the population has a cold allergy. They are people who get hives when they get into cold water and their body temperature is warm or hot. To avoid this, an antihistamine is generally taken an hour before bathing. There are patients with more acute reactions (swelling, suffocation) who have to carry a specific medication.

Beware of chlorine in swimming pools

Since it can cause allergic reactions that result in itching and dryness of the skin, red eyes, cough … To avoid this, take a good shower and then apply a moisturizer. It's better to prevent than to cure! Chlorine in the pool, is it bad for your health?

What if it's the cream?

In summer we usually change the cream and this can lead to an allergic reaction because it contains an ingredient that we have not been exposed to before and that produces this reaction. Stay true to the creams that you know work for you and choose sunscreen with a physical filter. Don't forget to pay attention to the expiration dates of your cosmetics.

Otic eczema

If your ears itch, it is a sign of a possible infection . One of the causes is chlorine in swimming pools. It is important that as soon as you notice it you go to the doctor to get treatment immediately. To prevent this, use approved wax plugs, but don't reuse them too much.

Food allergies

Reactions can occur throughout the year, but in the summer season you have to be careful with certain fruits typical of the season, such as cherries or peaches, as well as melon.

If you get stung by a jellyfish …

It's not common, but it can also cause an allergic reaction, especially if you've been bitten before. The best thing you can do is wash the bite with sea water or physiological saline but never with fresh water , because it will itch more. If you have jellyfish remains, remove them with tweezers, never with your hands. To reduce inflammation, put ice in a bag, wrap it in a cloth and apply it on the affected area for about 15 minutes.

Mite allergy

Mites and heat are not good friends. And so what is better for allergy sufferers, holidays in the mountains or on the beach? The first option is the best if you can choose it, because the humidity typical of maritime areas makes there a greater risk of allergic reactions. Anyway, if the allergy to the mites is well controlled, there should be no problems in either destination. Here's our survival manual if you have a mite allergy. In any case, before traveling, consult your doctor.

Suitcase "antiallergic"

Take your anti-mite sheets and your pillow with you wherever you go. If you can choose, make sure that the apartment or hotel you go to does not have carpet or decoration that can accumulate dust, but it does have air conditioning. We tell you what you should take in your suitcase if you go to the mountains, although if you are more of the sun and sea, take a look at the basic luggage for the beach.

What to do if my eyes itch?

It is common in summer for your eyes to sting, do not worry. It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva as an allergic reaction to pollen, dust or pool disinfectants called: irritant conjunctivitis. How to prevent it? Wearing sunglasses and swimming pool glasses, if you do not notice relief, do not hesitate to go to your doctor. Write down these 10 habits that will help you have healthy eyes.

Allergy to bees and wasps

By spending more time outdoors, it is easier for us to get bitten and for people sensitive to its poison to suffer adverse reactions. The normal thing is that the area where it has bitten us swells, becomes red and hurts. But if it gets complicated, you have to go to the ER. If you have already suffered an allergic reaction to a wasp or bee sting before, carry antihistamines and bronchodilators (or whatever the allergist has prescribed) with you.

Allergy to mosquito bite?

Allergic reactions from a mosquito bite rarely occur, although if you scratch it, the wheal can be quite dramatic and confusing. It is not clear if it is due to allergy or not, certain people can suffer a great inflammation in the area of the bite that can even affect the joint. In this case it is advisable to go to the nearest medical center. If it's a mild reaction, an antihistamine is enough for the itch.

Enjoy the summer!

We hope none of these allergies will make your vacation sour. Take the necessary precautions and enjoy your summer plans. And if what you are looking for is how to relieve sunburn, do not miss our tips to cure sunburn at home.

Summer plans are almost always outdoors so we get out of our usual environment and many times the chances of suffering an allergy multiply (especially if we have already suffered them before). The days of intense heat under the rays of the sun, the chlorine of the swimming pools, the immersions under water, the sudden temperature changes, the bites of the insects and the summer meals can have a not too happy ending if we do not know how. prevent, detect and manage the dreaded summer allergies. Take good note of the most common summer allergies and, above all, how to avoid and treat them.

Sun allergy

Do you get pimples when you sunbathe? o Does your skin itch after sunbathing? Most often it is a polymorphic solar flare. Its symptoms are pimples or hives and appear in areas exposed to the sun within half an hour or after a few hours of taking it. Luckily it is improving with the following solar exposures. If they appear immediately and in unexposed areas, it may be solar urticaria , but it is rare.

Treatment for sun allergy

To treat the allergy to the astro rey once it has appeared you should use a sun protection cream with a high protection factor, that is, more than 30, and make short and progressive exposures to the sun . Depending on each case, the doctor may recommend a course of antihistamines. In case of urticaria, it is necessary to follow a treatment with antihistamines and avoid exposing yourself to the sun as much as possible.

Preparing the skin for the sun

If you are cautious and want to avoid rashes, always use a cream with a high protection factor and try to keep your exposures to the sun short. For people with severe reactions, there are phototherapy treatments in some hospitals. This treatment consists of gradually exposing the person to ultraviolet light that does not harm.

Cold allergy

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Although it is not as well known as sun allergy, it is estimated that between 1 and 5% of the population suffer from cold allergies. They are people who get hives when they get into cold water and their body temperature is warm or hot. In addition, it is something that not only happens in summer.

What to do. Generally, an antihistamine is taken an hour before bathing. There are patients with more acute reactions who have to take a specific medication. Today there are biological treatments for those who do not work antihistamines. Of course, first of all, consult your doctor.

Chlorine allergy

One of the most classic every summer. The chlorine in the pool can cause allergic reactions that result in itching and dryness of the skin, red eyes, cough …

What to do? Take a good shower and then apply a moisturizer. To relieve itching and inflammation, you can also use cold compresses or aloe vera creams. And in the eyes, drops of euphralia, although it is advisable to wear swimming goggles.

Serious reactions. Chlorine allergy can cause trouble breathing or dizziness. In this case you have to go quickly to the ER.

Allergy to creams

If you change your cream in summer, you may have an allergic reaction as it contains an ingredient that you have not been exposed to before.

You have sensitive skin. In addition to opting for creams with few ingredients and not varying much, choose suns with a physical filter.

Look at the expiration date. The cream can cause allergies if it is expired. On the packaging there is an "open box" symbol that tells you how long you can use the cream once opened.

Ear infection

If your ears itch, it is an indication of a possible infection or otic eczema. One of the causes is chlorine in swimming pools. It is important that as soon as you notice it you go to the doctor to get treatment immediately. To prevent this, use approved wax plugs, but don't reuse them too much.

Food allergies

Reactions can occur throughout the year, but in the summer season you have to be careful with certain fruits typical of the season, such as cherries or peaches, as well as melon.

What to do with a jellyfish sting?

It is another of the great headaches when we bathe in the sea. Allergy to jellyfish is not common, but it is possible. Do you know how to act when faced with a jellyfish sting? We tell you how.

Wash: Do it with sea water or physiological saline but never with fresh water, because it will sting you more. Dry without rubbing.

Extract: Do not touch the remains of jellyfish that have been on the skin with your hands. Do it with tweezers.

Reduce inflammation: Put ice in a bag - it is made of fresh water - and wrapped in a cloth on the affected area for about 15 minutes. If the inflammation does not go down, you notice cramps, dizziness, headache, discomfort, respiratory problems … go to the emergency room.

Mite allergy

It is one of the most uncomfortable and accompanies us all year long. If we can choose between beach and mountain destinations, the second option is the best, because the humidity typical of the maritime areas makes there a greater risk of allergic reactions. Anyway, if the allergy to the mites is well controlled, there should be no problems in either destination. It is always good, before embarking on the trip, consult your doctor. In addition, being cautious does not hurt. Prepare an "antiallergic" suitcase in which you take your anti-mite sheets and your pillow with you wherever you spend the summer.

Allergy in the eyes

If your eyes itch, you are probably facing irritant conjunctivitis, very common in summer. It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva as an allergic reaction to substances such as pollen, dust or disinfectants in swimming pools. To prevent this type of allergies, always wear sunglasses and swimming pool glasses, do not rub your eyes to avoid irritating them and wash them with an ophthalmic bath. If the discomfort persists, see your doctor.

Allergy to bees, wasps or mosquitoes

By spending more time outdoors, it is easier for us to get bitten and for people sensitive to its poison to suffer adverse reactions.

What's normal and what is not. The normal thing is that the area where it has bitten us swells, becomes red and hurts. But if other areas are swollen, such as eyes or lips, we feel dizzy, nauseous or drop in blood pressure, breathing difficulties … we must go to the emergency room.

If you've already had a scare. If you have suffered an allergic reaction to a wasp or bee sting before, carry antihistamines and bronchodilators (or whatever the allergist has prescribed) with you, especially when you are outdoors in places where there are insects.

Allergic reactions from a mosquito bite rarely occur , although if you scratch it, the wheal can be quite dramatic and confusing. Although it is not clear if it is due to an allergy or not, certain people can suffer a great severe inflammation in the area of the bite that can even affect the joint. In this case it is advisable to go to the nearest medical center. If it's a mild reaction, an antihistamine is enough for the itch. To avoid bites , dress in light colors, not frequent hot and humid places, install mosquito nets and use repellants and insecticides.