Allergic rhinitis
In those with allergic rhinitis, contact with things like animal dander, pollen, mould and dust, the immune system initiates a few allergy-busting moves. This involves releasing the chemical histamine which increases blood flow to the affected areas in order to push out allergens. However, this results in a whole myriad of problems including congestion and headaches, and also makes the skin more sensitive than normal.
Therefore, the harsh chemicals contained inside your usual holiday essentials such as sun cream, insect repellent and other toiletries could now cause irritation. So, to ensure your holiday is free from bothersome allergic rhinitis symptoms, I’ve put together a packing list of allergy-friendly toiletries for your next trip away.
Sun cream
The strong chemicals used to make sun cream can worsen allergic rhinitis symptoms such as itchy skin, watery eyes and swelling. Therefore, when purchasing one for your next trip away, a more natural alternative is best.
For summer holidays, and for trips offseason to places warm and sunny, there are a few key things to look for in your sun cream.
First of all, a sun cream that is at least SPF 30 is preferred to avoid getting painful pink sunburn that’ll only spoil your trip!
When it comes to ingredients, look for a product with aloe vera as it has natural anti-bacterial and anti-septic agents that work to soothe and protect the skin. Also, opting for a cream with a light consistency will avoid making an allergic rhinitis rash or itching worse.
On top of this, avoid sun creams with a strong scent. This means the product will be less likely to exacerbate allergic rhinitis symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose or itchy eyes.
After sun
For those of you who may forget to re-apply the sun cream throughout the day or who, at the end of the day discover they’ve missed a spot when applying sun cream in the first place, after sun may be required!
Again, to avoid exasperating the many symptoms of allergic rhinitis, a 100% natural product is preferable.
Insect repellent
For those of you with sensitive skin that is the result of allergic rhinitis, it can be a challenge to find an insect repellent that will provide effective protection without irritating the skin. After all, these products contain ingredients that must be strong enough to deter insects from approaching.
However, our Neem Insect Repellent is suitable for everyone, including allergic rhinitis sufferers, as it does not contain any DEET. This is the main ingredient in most products of this type, but it is also synthetic and potentially harmful.
Instead of DEET, our insect repellent contains Neem seed oil, also known as Margosa which discourages flies, mosquitos, midges and other insects from approaching the skin without causing any harm to you, your clothing, or the insects.
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Deodorant
Amongst the sun hats and flip flops, deodorant is another holiday essential but, yet again, when allergic rhinitis flares up we must be careful about what products we use.
Salt of the Earth have a range of deodorants containing 100% natural ingredients instead of the allergy-inducing chemicals found in other products of this type. Salt of the Earth use potassium album mineral salt crystals so that when the product dries on the skin, it leaves a thin layer of crystals behind. This stops bacteria from growing on the skin and so prevents odor without leaving any white marks.
The Salt of the Earth Unscented Deodorant Balm is ideal for holidays, especially if you’re going on a plane, as it’s small enough to be placed in hand luggage.
Hair
The salty sea, chlorine-filled pools and warm sun rays can play havoc with our hair whilst we’re on holiday. Therefore, when deciding which products to take with you, it can be a difficult balance between choosing what’s good for your hair, and what’s good for your allergic rhinitis.
Again, it is best to choose a product with lots of natural ingredients. You will get a wide selection in health food stores and online. Alternatively, there is our very own Neem Shampoo. Made from extracts of neem leaves, this product is particularly helpful in soothing dry, irritated or flaky scalps.
