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Skin allergy
Question : My three-year-old son often experience itchiness after waking up from his bed and my wife is experiencing
itchiness around the socks and waist lines. What would you
suggest?
Answer : Your wife and son may be suffering from some form of
allergy. It will be best if you can consult your family doctor
if the symptoms persist. Your son's allergy may be due to dust
mites in his bed. The faeces, skin casts and pieces of dead
mites contain substances which can trigger asthma attacks,
inflammation on the lining of the nose and eczema in sensitive
people.
A dust mite problem can be alleviated by keeping the house
and beds well-aired and ensuring that carpets are kept clean
and dry. Regular dusting and vacuuming of soft furnishings will
also reduce the incidence of dust mite. You may add one or
two drops of tea tree oil on his bed.
Your wife may be suffering from contact dermatitis. It is a
condition caused by certain substances coming into contact
with the skin. Prolonged touching the substance produces an
itch that is usually limited to area of contact.
Contact dermatitis may involve a reaction to a substance
that the person is exposed to or uses repeatedly. Although
there may be no initial reaction, repeated use (for example,
nail polish remover, preservatives in contact lens solutions, or
repeated contact with metals in earring posts and the metal
backs of watches) can cause eventual sensitisation and reaction
to the product.
Initial treatment includes thorough washing with lots of water
to remove any trace of the irritant that may remain on the
skin. Further exposure to known irritants or allergens should be
avoided. As allergic contact dermatitis results from a reaction of
the immune system, your wife may supplement her diet with probiotics such as Lactobacillus LAS and NCFM, Bifidobacterium
BB12 that may be beneficial for skin allergy. These clinically
strains proven lactobacilli and bifidobacteria aid in modulating immune
function.
If blistering develops, cold moist compresses applied for 30 minutes three
times a day are helpful. Calamine lotion and cool oatmeal baths may relieve
itching. |
