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Some mothers develop contact dermatitis in their breasts during the early weeks of breastfeeding as their bodies adapt to frequent contact with a baby’s mouth. Oftentimes, women use pumping bras that can be detrimental to their skin without them knowing. But these hardships do not necessarily mean a mother has to stop breastfeeding.

Spandex is a synthetic fabric that is prized for its elasticity, and is commonly used in form-fitting consumer apparel. However, spandex has some disadvantages that you should be aware of, because it affects your health.

A concert in Australia last year almost took a life when an audience member’s latex allergy was suddenly triggered.

British award-winning singer Adele held a concert in Adelaide, Australia last year and during one of her song numbers a barrage of balloons were released on the audience.

What was supposed to be a moment of levity quickly turned into an ugly and almost fatal incident when one audience member who has a severe latex allergy exhibited symptoms of her condition.

Dr. Pooja Newman who was attending the concert suddenly felt her lips starting to swell.

Soon she was finding it hard to breathe and since she knew the severity of her condition she administered an epinephrine shot, with the assistance of her sister who was also with her, to herself.

Here is the continuation of our list for the "Most Common Types of Allergies":

Eye

Eye allergies develop when an allergen makes contact with antibodies in the eyes and causes common allergic symptoms such as itchiness, red and watery eyes, and inflammation and can impair vision in serious cases.

Drug

Some drugs can also trigger allergic reactions regardless of its form. Penicillin is the cause of most allergic drug symptoms. However, drug-induced allergic reactions may be a one-time allergic reaction only. It is always best to consult your doctor when taking drugs and to make sure that it does not have any adverse reactions when taken with other drugs.

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic Rhinitis is commonly known as hay fever and is caused by allergic sensitivities to mostly air-borne allergens. It can be a) Seasonal AR, wherein it occurs during spring, summer and early fall (which are pollen seasons) and is caused by airborne mold spores or pollens dispersed from grass, trees and weeds; b) Perennial AR, wherein allergic rhinitis symptoms are experienced year-round, and is generally caused by molds, dust mites, pet hair or dander, or insects.

Symptoms of Allergic rhinitis include: runny nose, itchy eyes, mouth or skin, constant sneezing, stuffy nose, and fatigue.

Latex Allergy

Latex allergy symptoms usually develops from many previous exposure to latex products including medical gloves, balloons, and other dental supplies. Latex can also be found in clothing, especially in underwear as elastics.

Common symptoms of latex allergy includes hives and itchiness as it comes in direct contact with skin. Other symptoms are stuffy or runny nose, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty in breathing. These symptoms can occur immediate to exposure, however, direct contact is not necessarily needed to trigger a reaction as anaphylaxis and asthmatic reactions can be caused by exposure to airborne particles of latex gloves powder.

Allergies are overreactions of the human immune system in certain individuals to generally harmless substances in the environment. Allergic reactions varies in severity -- from immediate reactions which are mostly manageable and can be prevented to anaphylactic shocks which is life threatening. Organs that are most frequently affected by allergic reactions are the skin and mucous membrane.

Here are the most common types of allergies:

Food Allergy

Food allergies occur when the body has adverse reactions to certain foods. It can develop as early in the childhood years but can also appear at any age. Some even develop an allergy to foods that they have eaten for years with no problems and suddenly there’s an adverse reaction to it.

Some food can cause anaphylaxis to some individuals which is life-threatening. Hence it is best to immediately consult a physician once you develop an unusual reaction to some food.

There are eight types of food that accounts for about 90 percent of allergic reactions. These includes: Eggs, Milk, Peanuts, Nuts/Grains, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, and Soy. 

Skin Allergy

Skin allergies are commonly manifested by rashes, bumps, itching, redness and other skin conditions. Their causes may not be easily detectable as they can be related to various allergens, but the symptoms are mostly easily manageable. 

Two of the most common skin rashes are eczema and hives, both of which are associated to allergies. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema, and is very common in children.

Contact dermatitis is the reaction when the skin comes in contact with an irritant or an allergen, it is manifested by rashes, blisters, itchiness and burning sensation.

Pet Allergy

Pets are very common in the households, with cats and dogs as the two most common pets. However, our pets shed off material that can trigger allergic reactions. Common allergens shed by pets in the house include saliva, fur, dead skin, urine and sebum.

Insect Sting Allergy

Insect stings are immediately associated with a painful, swelling and redness bump caused by the sting. However, allergic reactions are pretty common too. It has been estimated that potentially life-threatening allergic reactions to insect venom occur in 0.4 percent to 0.8 percent of children and 3 percent of adults.

Most common insect stings that can cause allergic reactions: Honeybees, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, and fire ants.

Insect sting allergy symptoms can range from local sting site reactions to severe anaphylaxis.

Dust Allergy

Dust allergies are commonly experienced at home, especially when cleaning as dust particles are stirred and easily inhaled. Dust allergy symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. It may also trigger symptoms of asthma.

Check out the rest of the list here: Most Common Types of Allergies Part 2

Don’t let your allergies take the fun out of your adventures! Whether you’re going on a road trip or an overseas vacation, you don’t have to pack the itch in your luggage with you.

The common causes of eyelid allergic reactions are preservatives in eye products and makeup, contact lens solutions, airborne allergens and other substances (such as nail polish) that our eye gets exposed to from rubbing it with our hands.

Symptoms of eyelid allergic contact dermatitis include dry, inflamed, wrinkled and swollen eyelids, redness, blister development, itchiness and burning sensation.

How to treat eyelid dermatitis:

Identify the cause and avoid the allergens. This is the foremost step as prevention is always better than cure. With the help of your doctor, identify what causes your allergic reactions and try your best  to avoid it.

Keep your hands clean at all times and it is highly recommended to use non-irritating cleansers on the face and never forget to remove ones make-up before heading to bed; and opt for hypoallergenic face products as much as possible.

If itchiness persists, your doctor may prescribe a cortisone ointment to alleviate the itch. The use of hypoallergenic eye mask during sleep to avoid you from scratching it is highly recommended. Cottonique’s newest truly hypoallergenic 100% Cotton eye mask is perfect for the job and it will ensure a great night’s sleep and completely itch-free!

What is Vulvitis?

Vulvitis is the inflammation of the vulva or the soft folds of skin on the external female genitalia. It is not a condition or a disease which is a common misconception; it is but a symptom that results from various causes such as an infection, allergic reaction, injuries, and other irritants.

Who can get Vulvitis?

Women of any age can be affected by vulvitis. Young girls who have not yet reached puberty are at possible risk due to inadequate hormone levels and post-menopausal women may be at higher risk of getting vulvitis because of lower estrogen levels and thinner vulvar tissues.

Susceptibility of the vulva to the irritation is due to its moist and nature. Stress and poor hygiene and nutrition can increase susceptibility to vulvitis.

What can cause Vulvitis?

Vulvitis can be caused by one or more of the following:

• Use of dyed or scented toilet paper
• Allergic reaction to bubble bath or soap used to clean the genital area
• Use of vaginal sprays or douches
• Irritation by chlorinated swimming pool or hot tub water
• Allergic reaction to spermicide
• Allergic reaction to sanitary napkins
• Wearing synthetic underwear or nylon pantyhose without a breathable cotton crotch
• Wearing a wet bathing suit for extended periods of time
• Bike or horseback riding
• Fungal or bacterial infections including scabies or pubic lice
• Herpes
• Skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis

What are the symptoms of Vulvitis?

• Extreme and constant itching
• Redness and/or burning sensation in the vulvar area
• Vaginal discharge
• Small cracks or blisters on the skin of the vulva
• Redness and swelling on the vulva and labia (lips of the vagina)
• Soreness
• Scaly appearance
• Thick or whitish patches

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is best to immediately consult your healthcare provider as these symptoms may also suggest other genital diseases or disorders.

How is Vulvitis treated?

The first treatment is intervention, immediately stop using any product that can cause the irritation. Wear loose-fitting garments and ensure breathable cotton undergarments.

Doctors may also prescribe cortisone treatment to reduce the irritation and itching.

How to prevent Vulvitis?

• As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure,” women can take several actions to prevent vulvitis. These include the following:
• Use only gentle and unscented cleaning products on the genital area. Avoid the use of vaginal douches and other fragranced feminine products.
• Thoroughly dry the genitals after bathing.
• Wear breathable, loose-fitting cotton undergarments can also help prevent vulvitis. Cottonique offers 100% Natural Organic cotton garments that is completely chemical-free and suitable in preventing any skin irritation.
• Immediately change into dry clothing soon after swimming and exercising.

Source - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic-vulvitis

Eczema is a skin condition that affects both adult and children. It is very important to pick comfortable and suitable clothing that will not trigger or worsen the itching that comes with Eczema. Loose-fitting clothes made from natural cotton with flexible seams and labels purposefully placed at non-sensitive areas are highly recommended. Picking the right clothes will not only avoid the symptoms of eczema, particularly the itching, but will also provide the wearer utmost comfort so they can fully carry out their tasks and enjoy their everyday activities.

What are the things to consider in picking up clothes for those with sensitive skin?

• Go for 100% Natural Cotton Material. Fabric choice can greatly make the difference in choosing the right clothes to wear – 100% natural cotton is the best option as it breathe-easy and will not irritate the skin. Natural cotton is both latex-free and spandex-free so it is perfect to use for those with sensitive skin. Woollen fabrics are to be avoided as its stiff fibres are irritable to the skin; same goes for fabrics made of stretchy material as they may contain spandex which can be an irritant.
• Look for Irritation-Free Labels. Typical labels stitched on the seams are irritable even for those unaffected by Eczema. Look for garments with irritation-free labels either sewn inside or into side seams; those with labelling information printed directly on the fabric is also recommended.
• Pick Clothes with Soft Seams. Stiff or uncovered seams can easily cause irritation to an eczema-prone skin. Pick clothes that have soft and flexible seams for maximum comfort.

These three are the top factors in choosing the suitable clothes for your everyday comfort. Other tips include: Choose clothes with very minimal embellishments as mesh fabric, adhesives and patches can also trigger itchiness; ensure necklines have generous openings easy movement and comfort, and be careful with garments with elastics which is the stretchy material mostly found on armbands, waistbands and cuffs of products, ensure that they are of hypoallergenic material or wound up in a natural cotton lining.

Here at Cottonique, we highly value comfort and we have taken these factors with great consideration so we can provide allergy-free garments to benefit our customers that have dermatological concerns like Eczema and various skin sensitivities.

So what are you waiting for? Take better care of your skin and grab a Cottonique wear today!

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