Skin Sensitivity Syndrome
Skin sensitivity touch syndrome is not a type of skin like most people think. Rather, it is a condition in itself. Sensitive skin to touch occurs when individuals have reactions that may include such factors as redness, pustules, bumps, erosions, stining, burning, and tightness. Skin sensitive to touch after having been exposed to some kind of irritant, such as weather or the use of a particular product, is not always an actual skin condition, but sometimes just a one time occurence. If outbreaks occur frequently, however, it is likely that an individual has the condition.
Common symptoms and factors that can increase the likelihood of sensitive skin to touch syndrome include developing a sun sensitive skin rash frequently, having thin skin, having fine textured skin, having dry skin, experiencing flushing due to any type of temperature change, burning or blistering in the sun or wind, having frequent allergic reactions not related to the skin, such as to certain foods, and commonly experiencing periods where the skin is red or blotchy for no apparent reason. A sun sensitive skin rash should not be confused with sun poisoning or sun burn. This condition occurs when a person develops a bumpy “heat rash” after exposure to sun, and is irritating, but not life threatening as sun poisoning can be.
While there is no one cure for skin sensitive to touch syndrome, there are certain steps, such as good hygiene and avoiding irritants that can worsen the condition, that can help individuals to experience relief of their symptoms. Products to avoid often include the sorbic acid frequently found in cosmetics, certain medicines, glues, inks, paints, and rubbers; the chemicals that are often found in perfumes or body sprays; deodorants, astringents, carpeting, cosmetics, cleaning products, insulation, medications, paints, or other things that are made with formaldehyde and formalin; wool; lanolin; pesticides; herbicides; fungicides; hot peppers; methol; peppermint; many plastics; gold metals; silver metals; and latex. Fortunately, many of these products are available in specialty forms made for those with the condition. Remove as many chemical and environmental irritants from your environment as possible. Sensitivity sufferers can also benefit from keeping the skin moisturized, always using sun screen during any sun exposure, testing cosmetics or buying specialty or hypoallergenic cosmetics, avoiding lanolin, avoiding harsh soaps, not using propylene glycol or ethanol on the skin, not using perfumes, and drinking plenty of water and avoiding products or drinks, such as alcohol, that can dehydrate the skin. Keeping this information in mind will help lessen skin sensitivity touch outbreaks.