by WV Marshall
Allergies and menopause – who knew?
Allergies manifesting themselves at this time are associated mostly with hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause, the 2- to 10-year transitional period leading to actual menopause.
Hormones fluctuate and decline during menopause, putting more pressure on your adrenal glands during and after menopause, www.menopausehealthmatters.com reported.
This could make menopausal women more susceptible to allergies.
Why Allergies
Allergies occur when a body’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance or food that doesn’t cause a reaction in most people.
While some people live with allergies from childhood, allergies are more likely to appear during times of significant hormonal imbalance such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and, of course, menopause.
Some allergies can emerge and go away for no apparent reason.
And while most allergies have well known triggers such as
- dust,
- animal dander or
- certain foods,
many can emerge for reasons that are unknown.
Allergic Reactions
Allergies can trigger reactions that can range from
- mild (sneezing or itchy eyes) to
- moderate (racing heart) to
- severe (convulsions or mental confusion).
Allergy tests can help to identify which allergens are affecting you.
You can consult healthcare professional for advice on testing.
Allergies and Menoopause
If your body is out of balance from allergies and menopause you need to cool your body off, and Menopausehealthmatters provides a list of foods and liquids.
Other actions that can interrupt the body’s reaction to an allergic trigger and reduce allergy-related stress and inflammation include
- daily dusting or
- vacuuming,
- exercise,
- meditation and
- massage.
However, please seek advice from your medical provider.
Skin Allergies and Rashes
Skin allergies and rashes can also occur during menopause.
These are frequently irritating and painful.
The hormone fluctuations that cause this can cause a woman’s skin to become drier and more prone to itching and rashes.
Women may notice a significant change in their skin health throughout menopause.
The transition might cause skin to become dry and itchy, and a woman may develop new allergies or responses to things with which she previously had no issues.
Flakiness, scaling, and rashes are common side effects of this transition, which range in severity.
Why It Happens
Menopause causes a decline in estrogen levels, which is the primary cause of skin allergies and rashes throughout the transition.
The reason for this is that estrogen plays a crucial part in maintaining healthy skin.
This hormone regulates oil secretion and helps keep the skin from being damaged in the years leading up to menopause.
Loss of estrogen during menopause, on the other hand, means
- less skin collagen,
- reduced oil secretion, and
- decreased resistance to the elements.
This menopause symptom can manifest itself in a variety of ways for women.
Some women say the first place they see evidence of skin allergies and rashes is on their elbows and face, while others say it’s on their limbs, chest, or back.
Women may also encounter:
Small bumps on the skin surface. Red or inflamed skin Rashes Dry skin
Solutions:
Eat more foods with omega-3 fatty acids. Such fats help create moisturized and supple skin. This nutrient can be found in foods like salmon, walnuts, fortified eggs, flaxseed, and soy.
Drink plenty of water.
Make sure your showers aren’t too hot. Too much hot water on skin will lead to drying and sensitivity. Keep your showers short and use warm water rather than hot.
Moisturize after showers. This can be done using a moisturizer or oil. Some people find they start becoming sensitive to their body lotions during menopause, so if this happens, try a different brand or use an oil such as coconut oil to moisturize with.
Use gentle, non-irritating soaps. You develop skin allergies to certain soaps during menopause so use the gentlest soap you can find. Make sure it is fragrance-free.
Other Solutions
Over-the-counter medications, allergy shots and prescribed drugs also can provide relief from symptoms of allergies; please consult your healthcare provider for advice on which medical treatment is right for you.
When allergies are associated with a hormonal trigger, Menopausehealthmatters said herbal remedies can produce a positive effect on the body and reaction to allergic triggers.
While not considered mainstream, herbal treatments such as ginseng and black cohosh may offer relief to some women experiencing allergies and menopause.
Again, if you think you have an allergy, please consult your healthcare provider before undertaking any sort of treatment.
mySysters is an app for women in perimenopause and menopause. Good Housekeeping and Woman’s Day named mySysters the Best App for Women in Perimenopause and a Must Have App for Women.