As the omniscient statistics testify, on our planet every fifth inhabitant suffers any kind of allergy. Over the past twenty years, the body's exposure to allergens has increased significantly. Scientists explain this by the sharp deterioration of the environmental situation, the uncontrolled intake of drugs, sometimes potent, a huge amount of chemicals that are tightly included in our everyday life.
Increasingly, cases of rather unusual varieties of the disease are recorded. For example, an allergy to heat. From the wording it becomes clear that in this case we are talking about an unusual reaction of the body to high temperatures. Could there be an allergy to heat in reality? What are the symptoms of the disease? What should be the treatment? We will try to answer these and many other questions in this article.
How to determine the disease?
Nowadays, there are a number of factors that can provoke the development of allergic reactions. Some products and even climatic conditions are irritants. In modern medical practice, allergies to heat and cold are increasingly recorded. Similar reactions often occur in young children and young people. However, older people with especially sensitive skin can also be allergic to heat. Symptoms, treatment are individual in each case. Therefore, precautions when exposed to direct sunlight for a long time must be remembered by everyone.
Unfortunately, an allergy to heat (photos can be seen in this article) is quite common today. Admittedly, many are unaware of the existing problem, believing that unpleasant symptoms are caused by their prolonged exposure to the sun.
Types of Allergies
This type of allergy can occur in two cases:
- With prolonged exposure to the sun in hot weather.
- When in a too hot room (for example, in a sauna or bath).
Who is at risk?
Most often, an allergic reaction to heat manifests itself in people with sensitive fair skin. In addition, children are usually affected by this disease. Currently, the causes of this ailment are not fully understood. But today we can talk about several factors that contribute to the development of such a reaction:
- genetic predisposition;
- excessive drying of the skin;
- her hypersensitivity;
- excessive sweating;
- the presence of inflammatory processes on the skin;
- too long stay under scorching rays;
- the use of hormonal contraceptives;
- drinking alcohol on vacation, especially wine and champagne.
Allergy to heat: symptoms, photo
Quite often, the disease manifests itself almost immediately under the influence of high temperatures, although this does not always happen. People who are prone to allergic reactions to heat begin to experience various unpleasant sensations. They are pronounced and quite specific. So, the disease is manifested by the following symptoms:
- a rash, often purulent throughout the body;
- severe swelling;
- redness of the skin;
- unbearable burning sensation;
- peeling skin.
Usually, symptoms fully manifest in a few hours or even days after being in the open sun or in a hot room. Such "belated" symptoms sometimes mislead patients, forcing them to look for the cause of the disease not where it is needed.
When a person who is allergic to heat gets into a cool room, the severity of symptoms decreases or disappears completely. But if the unpleasant sensations continue to intensify even in coolness, then urgent measures must be taken. Otherwise, complex skin infection may develop.
Scientists believe that, in addition to external manifestations, there are internal causes of an allergy to heat. Most often, the disease provokes malfunctions in the immune system, various diseases of the liver or gastrointestinal tract, lack of vitamins and minerals in the body. As a rule, with the timely and successful treatment of these ailments, allergy manifestations also pass.
First aid
Immediately after the onset of symptoms of the disease, not everyone can go to the doctor for various reasons. Therefore, you need to know how to independently provide first aid to the patient.
First of all, the victim should move to a cool place. If this does not help, apply a cold compress to the most affected areas of the body or take a cool shower.
Irritation and itching will help remove hydrocortisone ointment, as well as lavender and aloe vera essential oils.
Heat Allergy Treatment
We will not hide that the disease is unpleasant, which is why it is possible and necessary to fight it. If you find yourself or your loved ones symptoms described above, you need to contact a dermatologist and allergist. Only an experienced specialist will be able to choose effective drugs that will save you from the problem as soon as possible.
Do not forget that a sudden allergic reaction can be associated with the development of various chronic infections or inflammatory processes. Therefore, experts usually recommend a complete examination.
How to help a sick child?
Unfortunately, children suffer from this disease at least as adult patients. But it’s hard for parents to look at the suffering of their baby. Children's skin is very delicate and sensitive. In addition, kids often do not know or do not understand how to protect themselves in the heat - they want to run and play in the sun all day.
Do not forget that the child's body is extremely sensitive to potent medications. To protect the child from illness, it is necessary to minimize the baby's exposure to the sun. If an allergy to heat in a child is manifested by skin rashes, lubricate the affected areas with aloe juice. Try to explain to your child how to behave in hot weather.
Traditional treatment
Along with the traditional methods of treatment that your doctor will prescribe, you can also resort to folk remedies. In fact, they very effectively eliminate the discomfort that causes an allergy to heat. They save thousands of patients from such a serious problem, while they are inexpensive and generally available.
- Alternative methods help to quickly get rid of the negative manifestations of the disease. In such a situation, itching and burning juice from cucumbers, apples, raw potatoes will quickly relieve itching. To achieve a positive effect, just wipe the affected area of the skin with freshly squeezed juice.
- We have already talked about the benefits of a shower or a cool bath, but treatment will be more effective if nettle broth or starch is added to the water.
- Pink or white cosmetic clay has a beneficial effect on the skin condition. If an allergy is manifested by a rash on the body, prepare an infusion of deaf nettles. This tool is taken orally by 1/4 cup three times a day.
- Traditional healers recommend drinking a lot during an exacerbation. To do this, tea from chamomile, string, veronica or violet is suitable. This drink has a healing effect on the body, strengthens the immune system. In addition, it has a powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect.
Allergy Diet
Doctors are not tired of repeating to their patients that for the successful treatment of all types of this insidious disease, including allergies to heat, a special diet is necessary. So, it helps to eliminate skin rashes. It is recommended that you include foods rich in vitamin C in your allergy diet. They are natural antihistamines. In addition, they enhance the regeneration of affected skin and accelerate the healing of blisters and wounds.
The source of vitamin C is food of plant origin: citrus fruits, kiwi, bell pepper, blackcurrant, rosehip, sea buckthorn, potatoes. Most herbs are also saturated with this vitamin, among the most common are the following: alfalfa and nettle, raspberry leaves, parsley, sorrel.
Fish and meat products contain significantly less of this vitamin, however, as in milk and eggs. Old potatoes retain only 15 mg of vitamin (from 25 mg in a young vegetable).
Preventive measures
An allergy to heat is much easier to prevent than to treat later. If a person is diagnosed with this, he must follow preventive measures. To do this, you must carefully plan your vacation and work in the summer. Avoid holidays in hot countries and try to minimize or completely eliminate visits to the beaches. If you still really want to sunbathe, you can do it dosed in the morning, when the sun's rays are not yet very active.
The same can be said about work on the street under the bright summer sun - only in the early morning or late evening. In very hot weather, you must cancel or reschedule all work on the street. If this is impossible, do not forget about the existence of sun umbrellas, glasses and, of course, hats.
A person prone to heat allergies should always have a bottle of water with him. Eliminate all physical activity that warms the body and contributes to even more rapid development of the disease. It is categorically contraindicated for people suffering from this ailment, visiting a bath or sauna.