Eczema caused by pollen?

[Moose1]

Hi

Has anyone ever had an eczema flare up caused by pollen?

Christine

[Hidden]

Hi Christine,

I always get an eczema flare up after coming into contact with pollen, but usually delayed by approx 12 hours. Also get the instant urticaria nettle type rash with various known and unknown pollens, and unfortunately the breathing symptoms to match.

Having a cool shower can really help soothe pollen triggers re eczema but you do need to move fast – within 20 minutes of exposure. It’s too late if your skin is starting to feel itchy although cool water will wash away pollens attached to your hair and skin.

I always wear none allergenic mascara because it acts as a barrier for pollen getting into mucosal and very sensitive cos of blood vessels near to the surface of the eye/’skin’ membranes. You can also use an oil based, and again, none allergenic moisturiser, (trying to find one of those is like an Alice in Wonderland adventure, but worth it) on the rest of your skin which will trap pollens and act as a barrier. Similarly with hair re the dry hair type conditioners.

But washing everything off with water ASAP is a good start before using other meds.

[Moose1]

hi mia

I asked cus i've got this rash type thing come up mainly on my cheeks on my face altho it has spead a little to my forehead, i have a fringe so that's probably why.

I have a wonderful gel like stuff that calms irrated skin but it hasn't worked which is why i started to think. I have mild eczema, just flares up from time to time and fror the most i have no idea why!

It is very red and itchy and according to my mum, does look like a stinging nettle rash. I have very dry skin and is difficult to keep moisture in (as i'm sure u know the feeling) so i use a moisturiser by Decleor (french company) which is the ONLY thing that has ever worked.

Do you think a pharmacist could give me something to calm it down? There is only so long i can restrain myself from scratching

Christine

[Hidden]

Hi Christine,

It does sound like some sort of allergic reaction is happening, either immediate or delayed, but finding the trigger/s is like trying to guess the ending of a ‘whodunnit’ novel.

A useful starting point would be both to see your doc – better than the pharmacist - and to keep a record of when and for how long your symptoms last, including what sort of make-up you wear shampoo/conditioner used, time of the month, environmental conditions and so on.

You could go to extremes like I’ve had to on many occasions, and just not use any jewellery, make-up, soaps, creams, shampoo/conditioner etc on your skin and hair and keep your hair off your face for at least a week, to see what happens. Gradually introducing one item back at a time, and over at least a week might round up a few suspects!

But I do sympathise with the dry skin problems. Once the skin is broken and/or itchy it seems to take ages to get everything back under control. I’ve often commented in the past upon using ‘cooling’ measures, e.g. ice cubes wrapped in dry cotton, as a way of relieving the dreaded itch/scratch/itch cycle.There are lots of other alternatives too, as well as the obvious anti-histamine and similar meds.

But see your GP first.

Good luck.

Mia

[Hidden]

Just a thought…

Eczema can flare up for all sorts of reasons but notably it is strongly associated with other allergic conditions like asthma and rhinitis. Whilst skin contact with allergens/chemicals may well indeed cause eczema flare ups, but so can inhalation or ingestion of allergens/airborne chemicals. In fact, it is more likely that inhalation of pollen will cause eczema than skin contact with pollen.

In many cases the cause of eczema can be extremely difficult to pin point, due to the complex nature of immunological reactions. Allergists tend to talk of the total immunological stress load rather than individual allergens, albeit that exposure to one type of allergen can indeed cause an allergic reaction.

Allergists believe that all immune system stressors (e.g. exposure to pollen, fungal spores, dust mites, pervasive chemicals, psychological stress and meds, etc) add up to form your total stress load. The larger the total stress load, the more likely this will result in some form of allergy symptoms. The symptoms can be wide ranging and often include a combination of symptoms. It can be so difficult to pin point the cause of symptoms because any combination of the many stressors can lead to symptoms.

So what can we do, I hear you ask? You can treat the symptoms with anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory meds, which may well give some temporarily relief. However, an allergist would probably recommend that you start by reducing your total stress load (minimising exposure by avoidance techniques). This may not always stop the symptoms but it should minimise them and thereby reduce the amount of ant-histamine meds required.

Take hair,

Derek

[Moose1]

Well, saw pharmacist today, normally quite helpful but i can't say i thought she was 2day! Anyway, got some E45 cream for itchy skin and my mum's gonna get me some other cream that is good at rehydration. I will go to doctor if this doesn't settle soon

My skin is very awkward lol It random reacts and i can rarely find a cause. I've not changed anything, same skin wash (tea tree), same make up that i've used for over a year now. In fact the only thing that has changed is the pollen count :oD

I am lucky really, normally to look at me you wouldn't know i had ezcema cus it only ever shows when i'm reacting to something. I think this has to be the pollen cus now my eyes are itching and my breathing is slowly going south again.

I wanna stay away from the doctors :o(

Christine

[Hidden]

hey. i have permanant ezcema. its always there. i advise that if you ever find it itchy, and dont have anything that you can put on it, try using a cold compress to take the itch away. other than that the only thing i would advise is to go to the doctor, as it could just need seasonal treating, like hayfever

[WinnifredSullivan]

I have dishydrotic eczema and have tried many things including steroid cream which I am afraid to use too often due to side effects. I have researched and tried different remedies but the best thing that works for me is keeping my hands constantly moisturized. I buy Foderma serum and use it frequently each day especially after contact with water. I have found for me the best defense is a good offense. And if I ever get slack with it the flare up and cycle comes back quickly. I am using foderma serum at least 3-5 times a day and very happy with the results, especially how quickly it can turn around the most cracked, flaky, itchy skin. I also intermittently use Working Hands and Working Feet.