My skin gets irritated when I go near a mastic tree; Is it an allergy?

“My skin gets very irritated when I get close to a tree called mastic, especially during flowering time. Could it be allergies?”

Yes may be. The mastic tree produces a red “pepper” that can cause allergies in some people. If the individual touches the flower, leaf or fruit of the tree, for example, they end up coming into contact with certain substances (known as allergens), which trigger a process in the skin, causing itching, discomfort and even swelling in the lips and hands. .

What to do?

The ideal is to avoid close contact with the mastic tree. If this is not possible, a good idea is to see a dermatologist, do allergy tests and, possibly, take an anti-allergenic medication during the flowering period of this tree, especially if the person lives in a place where there is a large quantity of it.

Tips to better deal with allergies

There is no miracle measure or product that can eliminate all possibilities of coming into contact with things and situations that trigger signs and symptoms of allergies (allergens). However, the following recommendations may help:

• If using air conditioning, set the temperature above 22 degrees Celsius. Lower temperatures can dry out the air too much and hurt the mucous membrane of the nose and bronchi;
• Closed homes concentrate humidity from residents and can encourage the proliferation of house dust mites. If you have air heating or air conditioning in your home, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules. Keep indoor air relatively dry with a dehumidifier, but no less than 20%. Humidity concentrations above 45% contribute to the proliferation of dust mites;
• Use a high-efficiency portable particulate air filter (Hepa or higher) in your room;
• Clean the floor frequently with a damp cloth, drying well afterwards. If you use a vacuum cleaner, make sure it has a Hepa filter or better;
• If you are allergic to pollen, when planning trips, avoid the countryside in the spring months, choose pollen-free destinations;
• Check an app for forecasts and current pollen levels. On a windless day, airborne allergens are grounded. When the day is windy and hot, pollen counts increase. If high pollen counts are predicted, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms begin;
• Close doors and windows at night if possible, or at any other time when pollen counts are high;
• Avoid outdoor activities early in the morning when pollen counts are highest;
• Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clean pollen from the air. Dry, windy conditions increase the amount of pollen in the air and rain decreases it;
• Limit the time you spend outdoors, avoid it when there is more wind and early in the morning and late afternoon, when the concentration of pollen in the air is higher;
• Avoid mowing the lawn, pulling weeds and other gardening tasks that stir up allergens. Fertilizers and freshly cut grass can make asthma symptoms worse. Wear a face mask if you have to do these outside tasks;
• Leave your shoes at the front door. Remove the clothes you wore outside. Shower and wash your hair before bed to rinse pollen from your skin and hair;
• Wash your nostrils with saline sprays, at least before bed, to reduce pollen inhalation;
• When you bite a certain fruit, you may experience itchy ears or swelling and hives around your mouth. These reactions may be the result of pollen food allergy syndrome, as some fruits have the same chemical structure as pollen. Not everyone with pollen allergies suffers from this syndrome. The good news is that you can overcome the reaction by cooking the fruit;
• Don’t hang clothes outside the house — pollen can stay on sheets and towels;
• For home hygiene, choose natural cleaning products, such as vinegar or baking soda (strong chemicals can irritate the nose and worsen symptoms) and try to wipe the floor with a damp cloth every day, but don’t forget to dry the floor well. , with a dry cloth, afterwards;
• Avoid green plants indoors. Remember, it is pollens from green plants that are easiest to inhale and cause allergies;
• Be careful with some medications. People who are allergic to ragweed pollen sometimes have severe allergic reactions to echinacea, a supposed “immune booster”;
• Avoid closed environments, with tobacco smoke and/or polluted;
• Citronella candles and bug spray can keep mosquitoes away, but they can also trigger an asthma episode. It may help to stay several feet away from any strong-smelling candles, and when using mosquito repellent, choose unscented lotions rather than sprays or aerosols;
• Moving to another climate to avoid allergies usually doesn’t always solve the problem — allergens are practically everywhere;
• Immunotherapy can be an efficient treatment modality; it is the only one that has the potential to cure respiratory allergies especially to house dust mites or allergic rhinitis/pollen-induced asthma, in addition to preventing anaphylaxis due to bee venom;
• Use medications as prescribed. Your medications will work much better with consistent use. If you have asthma, remember to keep your quick-relief medicine on hand in case of an attack. One tool that can help guide your travel plans is a peak expiratory flow meter;
• Talk to your specialist doctor and follow his instructions.