After the number of questionable things we've eaten or rubbed on our bodies in our lifetime, you'd think we'd have skin care down to a science by now. However, there are still plenty of foods and random things out there that can irritate your skin, but you wouldn't expect them in the least, especially if everybody is using them. Check out ten of the surprising items that can irritate your skin, especially when the sun is in full
summer swing. Just call me Dr. Mandatory M.D. from now on.
Lavender
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It's a beautiful smelling, purple flower, so why the hell is it putting red splotches on your chest and face? If you're tired of looking like the leper of the neighborhood pool while trying to
stay cool this summer, consider lavender the potential culprit. Part of the mint family, lavender is known as an essential oil, culinary and medicinal herb. However, it has also been known as "cytotoxic" to skin cells, causing mild irritation at a low level frequency that might result in itchy, irritated rash. So while you think you may be taking care of your skin and smelling good at the same time, consistent use of lavender for people who react badly to it can result in mild irritation they may not know the source of.
Fragrances
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The price to smell good is a big one for some, and it's on the rise. Certain perfumes and colognes, in addition to shampoos, aerosols and deodorants, contain a type of contact allergen that reacts poorly with some folks' skin. The best thing to do is to check the ingredients, buy all natural products and stick to fragrance-free sprays. You'd be better off
smelling good without using cologne anyway. There's a
trendy app - Think Dirty - that reads the barcode of hygiene products and lets you know how safe they are to use, based on their ingredients.
Dryer Sheets
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Detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets: Those are the three commonplace household laundry items, always have been since
the dawn of condoms. However, much like fragrances, dryer sheets with artificial scents can get in with your clothing and cause contact reactions when you later wear them. Clothing, alone, can be troublesome if your body reacts adversely to certain fabrics, so pay attention to what works and what doesn't. And don't buy cheap when it comes to cleaning products. Maybe just add a couple drops of tea tree oil to your wash so you won't need dryer sheets at all.
Latex
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You may have heard of people with latex allergies, but we just assumed that was one of those
excuses not to wear condoms. Latex is the milky white substance you find on rubber gloves, condoms and rubber bands, so if your skin reacts poorly to wearing rubber gloves, there's a good chance it's because of a latex allergy. Lord knows you don't want to use a condom with a girl who has such reactions. You'll want to use polyurethane prophylactics instead. Then again, it may not be a latex allergy causing all the fuss...
Nickel
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One of the most common skin irritants is nickel. Artificial jewelry - we mean cheap knockoffs with fake stones and cheap metals - sometimes contains nickel as one of its key components. Earrings, necklaces, buttons and buckles can all contain nickel, which can be a skin irritant. In addition, zippers can contain nickel, so be wary when you pee standing up, gentlemen. See, this is exactly why I pee sitting down. That, and the numerous
time-wasting apps available to pass time on the toilet. It's interesting people who make jewelry know buyers can have skin reactions and still make the jewelry cheap.
Henna Tattoos
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Kind of the same way some people's skin react poorly to red tattoo ink, people also have adverse reactions to henna tattoos, the temporary sexy
body painting for pansies who cannot commit to the needle. A component of henna tattoos, para-phenylenediamine, which lends to the henna color, is an allergic reactor for nearly a quarter of people. You can get a skin test done to check if your body will respond negatively to henna or red ink, or you can just listen to your parents and forego body art altogether. Have you ever had a
regretful tattoo experience? The same goes for hair dye, all you hip kids who still frost tip your hair.
Egg Whites and Soy
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Known as a reliable source of protein to
start the day, as well as making your dog's coat shiny and healthy, egg whites have long been known as the less tasty, healthy part of the egg compared to its counterpart, the devil yolk. However, people can have egg allergies in which their immune system overreacts to the protein found in egg whites, which can cause dermatitis, or sick skin flare-ups to the layman. The same goes for soy, which people are convinced is the alternative to lactose intolerance, but in actuality, many people's bodies can eventually have adverse immune system reactions to soy, an allergy that can appear even as they get older. We think it best to stick to the almond milk, a healthier, tastier and more natural approach to covering your cereal.
Sunscreen
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What is the world coming to when the things we put on to protect our body suddenly become the cause of its irritation? It's true, sunscreen can actually be a counterproductive application if some of the chemicals therein cause an allergic reaction, like benzophenones and oxybenzone. Wearing the wrong kind of sunscreen, especially on already irritated spots, can result in an allergic reaction when in the sun too long, causing either dryness, heat rash or itchy patches.
Detergent & Household Cleaners
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Obviously, rubbing your body with paint thinner is going to be ill-advised, but even people with good common sense may not know that certain detergents and commonly used cleaning products associated with softness and cleanliness can be irritating. Certain brands and products include solvents that are known to cause irritated skin and allergic reactions. Things like nail polish remover, superglue and lighter fluid can possess such solvents that might make your skin appear agitated with hives and red blotches.
Excessive Washing
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If your mother ever told you that you can never be too clean, she was wrong, just like she was wrong about trying everything once - flashback to dramatic college drug experience. Excessive washing of the skin can actually cause dryness and irritation. The natural skin oils help with the moisture and health of your skin to a certain extent. In addition, using the wrong kind of soaps can be harmful, too, such as washing your face with hand soap, which will likely cause a red outbreak and public scrutiny. I would know.
Seeing a used up mattress on the streets of Los Angeles is probably pretty common, but I imagine that seeing a used up mattress jumping around and scaring people is pretty rare. Unless you're on something, then I'm sure it's a common occurrence. Check out some of these folks' reactions when an innocent mattress decides he's had enough.
