Contact dermatitis is a condition where patches on the skin become red and itch or burn after coming into contact with an irritant. When the skin comes into contact with allergens, allergic reactions may occur one or two days after the initial contact. The more exposure to allergens, the more likely contact dermatitis will occur in response to the allergen. People often think food is a trigger for allergic contact dermatitis, but what we eat is rarely the cause.

What, then, are the common allergens for contact dermatitis? Commonly found substances such as bleach, soap, poison oak, certain metals, and various other irritants may cause your skin to have a negative reaction.

The most common cause of contact dermatitis is poison ivy. Poison ivy rashes occur when the skin reacts to an oily resin called urushiol in the leaves, roots, and stems of the poison ivy plant. Though the rash itself is not contagious, the resin can easily spread upon contact, so make sure to thoroughly wash off the affected area with a mild soap if you happen to touch poison ivy. Irritated skin can be soothed with the help of a natural, anti-inflammatory itch lotion.

Fragrances, nickel, and certain preservatives, such as thimerosal, are also common causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Fragrance sensitivity is now seen in between 8% - 15% of those with contact dermatitis. A fragrance is a compound of chemicals that creates an odor and is found in many products from makeup and skincare to cleaning agents. It can be very difficult for sensitive individuals to pinpoint the exact compound they are allergic to, making it necessary to avoid products with fragrances. If you notice you are having a reaction to a certain product, stop using it immediately to avoid worsening your symptoms.

Nickel allergies are usually associated with earrings and other jewelry; however, it is also often found in common items such as coins, zippers, cellphones, and eyeglass frames. If you notice a rash, bumps, redness, or itching due to coming into contact with something that might contain nickel, you may have developed an allergy to it. Stop wearing jewelry or other items that contain nickel immediately, and look for alternatives, such as hypoallergenic products, instead.

Thimerosal is a preservative often found in certain topical antibiotics. It stops bacteria from growing in certain products and vaccines. However, some people may be allergic and have a reaction to it. If you think you may be sensitive to thimerosal, check for it in the ingredients list of any topical product you may use. There are many other preservatives, such as formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, that you could have a reaction to that can lead to contact dermatitis.

Minimizing your contact with allergens helps to prevent contact dermatitis, but once you have it, what are some of the best natural remedies for contact dermatitis?

• First, make sure you clean the area of any irritating product or substances using a mild soap.

• Try using a cold compress, and aloe vera gel to reduce swelling, redness, and itching.

• Using a gentle, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizer is important because it will help to soothe irritation and heal damaged skin.

An ideal moisturizer adds a protective barrier that makes the skin less susceptible to irritants. It will also help to restore and protect your skin’s outermost layer to prevent future flare-ups. With ingredients like aloe vera, calendula, or vitamin E, a natural remedy cream may also relieve itching.

LEMYKA’s Healing Lotion is a great option for a natural remedy for contact dermatitis. It helps to minimize symptoms and help to heal your skin. Using this lotion daily as much as needed will offer immediate relief for contact dermatitis.

Hives Treatments & Causes - How much do we know

Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is red, raised, itchy skin rashes resulting from the body's reaction to certain allergens or even from unknown reasons. Hives usually cause itching but may also burn or sting.

When an allergic reaction occurs, the body releases a protein called histamine. This is why doctors often prescribe anti-histamine medicines to calm the body's reaction to the allergen.

Hives are very common. In fact, 20% of the U.S. population may have it. They may go away on their own (acute urticaria lasts a few weeks) or may last much longer (chronic urticaria). If you have a serious case, you might need medicine including anti-histamine drugs or a shot. In rare cases, hives can cause a dangerous swelling in your airways, making it hard to breathe. This is a medical emergency, and you would need to treat it right away.

What are the common causes of hives? It can come from many different factors: food, food coloring, preservatives, insect stings or bites, certain chemicals, or certain medication (morphine, codeine, aspirin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or Advil). These medicines cause the body to release histamine and, therefore, should be avoided among hives-sufferers.

Because there are so many common causes, it can be hard to identify the exact trigger of hives. Acute urticaria often goes away on its own and is not contagious. There are physical stimuli that trigger hives as well. Common factors are sunlight, hot or cold water, heat, exercise, and even pressure may occasionally trigger hives.

Regardless of the causes, hives can be quite uncomfortable. The persistent itchy rash may cover a large part of your body. After constant scratching, the skin can get raw and painful. Although steroid creams and antihistamine cream offer relief, there are safety concerns if these creams are used on large areas repeatedly.

LEMYKA developed a hives treatment cream that quickly relieves intense itching from hives. Plant actives in this natural cream, such as aloe vera, calendula, and sea kelp extract, possess anti-inflammatory properties and help to reduce red rashes and bumps on the skin. This pure plant-based and clean cream can be applied to the affected area as frequently as you need.

Nuts, eggs, milk, fish are commonly associated with food allergies among kids as well as adults.

Nut allergies are among the most common food allergies, but this does not include peanuts.

So, here is the question: are peanut trees nuts?

The answer is no. Peanuts are legumes, not nuts.

What, then, are considered tree nuts? Here are some examples: pecans, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, and Brazilian nuts. Tree nut allergy is one of the most common food allergies that affects 1% of the U.S. population. About 30% of peanut-allergic individuals are also allergic to tree nuts; however, just because one reacts to tree nuts, this does not mean he or she will also react to peanuts.

What about sunflower oil or jojoba oil?

These are seed oils. Data shows that they are well-tolerated by tree nut-allergic individuals. Coconut oil is a popular oil both in cooking as well as in skincare products. The interesting fact is that coconut is actually a fruit and not a tree nut either! In addition, coconuts are well-tolerated among tree nut-allergic individuals!

What about shea butter? It comes from the seed of the shea fruit. Although it is distantly related to Brazil nut, shea allergy is extremely rare! The reason behind it is likely due to the fact that shea butter contains no IgE-binding proteins.

At LEMYKA, we use plant oils such as avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, and jojoba oil in our skincare products. We also use many plant extracts such as calendula, green tea, aloe vera that are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Enjoy LEMYKA creams with a peace of mind, knowing that our talented scientists have done thorough research to exclude any potential allergens and use only the safest and most gentle ingredients.

Certain foods may lead to allergic reactions. Some of them may lead to eczema flare-ups. While there are many factors that contribute to eczema flare-ups, food allergies can be a key trigger. Children with food allergies are more likely to have eczema and worsened eczema symptoms.

Allergic reactions occur when the immune system identifies a food as a germ and produces antibodies to combat that germ. When this antibody, more specifically histamine, is produced, hives, swelling, and itching may break out.

As a parent, it is of crucial importance to learn your child's allergens, ensuring their eczema does not flare-up. Common eczema triggers are eggs, peanuts, and cow’s milk.

For infants, baby formula can be a key source of allergy and needs to be watched closely. There is hypoallergenic formula (cow's milk-free) for babies with eczema. There are also soy-free formulas, in case your baby is allergic to soy. Contact us if you need additional information on baby formula. Our talented technical team will be glad to help you!

Watch Out For This Probable Carcinogen!

1,4-Dioxane has been found in numerous well-known brand skincare products, including organic skincare products, according to the Organic Consumers Association (OCA). In the study carried out by OCA, several leading "natural" and "organic" brand shampoos, body washes, lotions, and other personal care products were tested by a reputable third-party laboratory for the presence of the undisclosed carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-dioxane.

What is 1,4-dioxane anyway? It is a byproduct (or contaminant) of the ethoxylation process. The ethoxylation process is a route to some ingredients commonly used in cleansing and moisturizing products including many that are specially made for babies! By going through this process, the cleansing agents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, become even foamier and less abrasive.

This compound is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. Exposure may cause damage to the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies dioxane as a probable human carcinogen. Under Proposition 65, dioxane is classified in the U.S. state of California to cause cancer.

Although the levels of dioxane found in skincare products are low, long-term exposure to this compound is likely to post adverse health effects.

What you need to know is that this chemical isn't listed on product labels when it isn't an added ingredient. However, if you want to try to avoid 1,4-dioxane, you'll need to look very carefully at ingredient labels. Often times, 1,4-dioxane is presented in the synthetic ethoxylated ingredients, such as:

• those containing the word laureth, myreth, ceteareth, or oleth.

• those ending with -eth.

• those ending with -oxynol.

• polyethylene.

• polyethylene glycol (PEG).

• polyoxyethylene.

In order to keep eczema under control, one needs to understand what triggers eczema. There might be one particular factor, but there could be many. It varies from person to person. This is what makes eczema so complex! Some triggers can be easy to identify, whereas others may take a long time to figure out.

One needs to know that many research studies are on-going, and scientists are finding more and more information about this persistent skin condition. At LEMYKA, our technical team works hard to compile new findings from scientific journals and keep our posts as current as possible. If you have an eczema trigger that is not listed here, reach out to us or comment below. The more we know, the more we are equipped to deal with eczema and keep the symptoms under control.

Here is a list of common triggers.

• Food Allergies: Many types of food have been known to trigger eczema. Foods such as dairy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, and soy are often linked with eczema flare-ups. There are also foods that are not so well-known that may worsen eczema. A few examples include tomatoes, citrus fruits, and certain spices, such as vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, and anise. Vanilla is widely presented in many prepared foods. While a blood test of IgE could be a great indicator when a food allergy test is done, some foods do not necessarily trigger a high IgE reading. Our suggestion for parents is to keep a food journal. This daily recording effort will help overwhelmed parents keep things organized, and, as time goes on, you may find a pattern that helps you solve the puzzle. We do not recommend you start an elimination diet unless you have a full understanding of what specific foods your child is allergic to, especially if your child is little. You want to make sure that your child has a healthy diet and daily balanced meals.

• Airborne Allergens: Environment factors can be another key trigger to eczema. Pollen, dust mites, grass, or dander from your furry friends (we just can't get enough hugs!), may trigger an allergic reaction or exacerbate existing eczema conditions. A skin prick test may help you identify what the environmental triggers can be. Using an air purifier during the spring or a humidifier during the winter often eases eczema symptoms.

• Skin Allergens: Skin allergens and/or irritants from household products, skincare products, or even from fabrics (your clothes, bed sheets, scarves, hats, gloves, etc.). For those with contact dermatitis, they are likely to flareup when in contact with skin allergens or irritants. While the list of skin allergens and irritants is excessively long, we included a few common ones. A skin irritant, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, is widely used in many shampoos, shower gels, bubble bath products, soap bars, dish-washing products, and laundry detergents. This well-known irritant will lead to itching, redness, and dry skin. Nickel allergies are one of the most common contact allergies. Common sources of nickel are earrings, jewelry, metal watches, or glasses frames. For all jewelry lovers, having jewelry gold plated may really help to minimize the contact with nickel. Another common allergen is propylene glycol, an ingredient often found in personal care as well as in skincare products. Textile contact dermatitis results from the skin being in contact with fabrics like nylon, polyesters, wool, spandex, linen, etc. The allergic reaction may come from the additives in such fabric, such as formaldehyde, para-phenylenediamine (PPD), azo and anthraquinone dyes, and flame retardants.

• Stress: This is another common trigger for eczema. Everyone experiences stress throughout life, and it can be hard to control.

• Medication: Prescription medication could also trigger eczema. Topical steroids could lead to the thinning of the skin and make it more susceptible to more flare-ups. For those who decide to stop using steroids, topical steroid withdrawal could lead to painful and severe skin complications. Please discuss with your physician about all aspects of medications prior to use.

Does fish consumption at an early age increase the risk of developing eczema or asthma?

Unlike hives, food allergy is not as common as you think among eczema kids. In fact, less than 20% of children who have eczema have food allergies. With that said, among kids with eczema who are allergic to dairy products, eggs, nuts, or shellfish, parents try very hard to eliminate such foods from their diet. For many cases, food allergies could lead to complications, even life-threatening reactions, and must be treated right away. Is eating fish, then, a good idea or a bad one?

Recent findings show that fish consumption at the age of one may lead to a 30% reduced risk of developing eczema, asthma, and wheeze. It turns out that omega-3 fatty acids can do wonders for little ones!

How much fish oil does the little one need? Based on the study, consumption of cod liver oil more than four times per week was associated with a lower prevalence of current eczema, asthma, and wheeze.

Another interesting find is that there are no consistent associations between allergy-related outcomes and fish or cod liver oil consumption by mothers.

Do you know the difference between eczema and hives?

Eczema is a chronic skin condition. Atopic dermatitis is allergic eczema that usually starts in infancy. About 10% of the eczema population have a food-related allergy. However, eczema can be nonatopic, meaning the skin condition is not related to any allergy.

Hives are also called urticaria. It can be acute or chronic. The acute form of hives lasts about six weeks. Most of the acute form of urticaria is related to an allergy.

Unlike eczema, a food allergy can be the main cause of hives. In severe cases, hives-sufferers may end up in the emergency room, where antihistamine or immuno-suppressant medicine is given to calm down one's immune system. Hives outbreak is on the rise in the U.S. among kids. Emergency visits due to hives outbreak have been increasing steadily. Aside from food, insect stings, drugs, heat, or exposure to sunlight can all trigger acute hives.

Chronic hives recur over months or years. It may be related to underline diseases such as thyroid disease and may not have a known trigger.

Hive rashes appear on the skin as patches that are red and itchy, and some may appear as elevated patches. They appear in varying shapes and sizes, from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter anywhere on the body.

Both eczema and hives can affect a large area of the skin and may lead to intense itching. LEMYKA’s natural therapy creams are specially designed to calm down itching from eczema hives. These creams are based on LEMYKA's advanced formula and do not contain any steroids or immunosuppressant drugs.

Because hives are closely associated with food, it is important to focus on diet and identify the food source that triggers hives outbreak.