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Why does grass make my skin itch?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/deryn-lee-thompson-1449312">Deryn Lee Thompson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p>So, you’ve enjoyed a picnic in the sunshine. Or you’ve sat on the grass for a twilight concert. But you’ve come away with itchy and scratchy skin.</p> <p>Could you have an allergy to grass? Or is something else going on?</p> <h2>Grass has tiny hairs</h2> <p>One possible reason we get a rash is the physical structure of grass itself.</p> <p><a href="https://bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12870-021-02840-x">Blades of grass</a> are covered in tiny “hairs” (called trichomes), which you can view under a microscope.</p> <p>These help protect the grass from being eaten by insects or animals, damaged by ultraviolet rays or losing too much water.</p> <p>Trichomes can also cause tiny scratches to the skin and the skin reacts by becoming red and may feel itchy.</p> <p>Some species of grass are also firmer or stiffer so may feel more “scratchy” when people sit on them.</p> <p>Skin is a complex organ and is linked to the immune system. When irritated, the skin and immune system recognise something is happening and release complex chemicals that can <a href="https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749%2815%2900575-8/fulltext">cause redness and itching</a>.</p> <p>People with dry, red, itchy skin conditions often find their skin is extra sensitive to grass and other irritants like fertilisers or sprays. For example, if you have eczema (also called dermatitis) your skin looks and feels dry, as your <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5849435/">skin barrier is damaged</a>.</p> <h2>Could it be an allergy?</h2> <p>Grass allergy involves <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever-and-sinusitis/pollen-allergy">aero-allergens</a>, that is, the grass pollen in the air. Symptoms include runny or a stuffy nose, itchy nose and eyes and even itchy ears.</p> <p>If you have these symptoms allergy specialists <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-testing/allergy-testing">may perform a skin prick test</a> to identify particular aero-allergen triggers.</p> <p>After the allergist takes your detailed history, drops of various allergens are placed on the forearm, along with a positive and negative control. A sterile lancet pricks the skin through the drop. After 15 minutes the test is read, with positive reactions showing a “wheal and flare” response (a lump like a mosquito bite and redness). The allergist then interprets the findings.</p> <p>But, in the absence of hay fever-like symptoms, dermatologists may perform <a href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/patch-tests">allergy patch testing</a> to investigate contact allergies (dermatitis) to specific plants, for example <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9542089/"><em>Compositae</em></a>.</p> <p>In a patch test the dermatologist places a series of small chambers (or sticky dots) on the back, each one containing a different potential allergen. The test takes several days to produce results. If a reaction develops under a test chamber, the dermatologist may confirm allergic contact dermatitis.</p> <p>But definitive results are tricky as these two allergy tests can’t tell you if your rash is from physical irritation – such as the tiny scratches – rather than an allergy.</p> <h2>How can I avoid it?</h2> <p>The best way to reduce physical irritation problems with grass it to limit contact. This could involve simple things like wearing long sleeves or pants, or sitting on a rug or towel.</p> <p>Many Australians do have dry skin, but do not often realise how dry it is. So, applying a <a href="https://toolkit.eczemasupport.org.au/my-self/moisturising-creams/">basic thick moisturiser</a> to the face and body skin can help place a barrier between the grass and the skin. Sunscreen is also recommended when outdoors.</p> <p>For people who have dry, red or itchy skin conditions or those who experience itchiness when sitting on the grass, taking <a href="https://allergyfacts.org.au/allergy-treatments-antihistamine/">antihistamines</a> a minimum of 30 minutes before you sit on the grass may help lessen the itchiness.</p> <h2>How can I calm my skin?</h2> <p>If you do develop a an irritant rash, here are a few tips. You could try</p> <ul> <li> <p>taking an <a href="https://allergyfacts.org.au/allergy-treatments-antihistamine/">antihistamine</a></p> </li> <li> <p>rinsing skin with tepid water</p> </li> <li> <p>washing off the potential irritants with a non-soap-based bland body cleanser <a href="https://toolkit.eczemasupport.org.au/my-self/bathing-showering-and-washing-clothes/">can be helpful</a>. Then, re-apply a layer of thick, bland, fragrance-free moisturiser.</p> </li> </ul> <p>If none of these measures help, see a pharmacist for advice on using an appropriate strength cortisone cream which may <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/rashes">help reduce</a> the symptoms.</p> <p>Be aware of more serious signs of an <a href="https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/about-allergy/anaphylaxis">allergic reaction</a>. If in addition to red bumps and itchiness, other symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, wheeze, chest tightness or facial swellings develop while sitting on the grass, people may need urgent medical care.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/243046/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/deryn-lee-thompson-1449312">Deryn Lee Thompson</a>, Lecturer in Nursing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-does-grass-make-my-skin-itch-243046">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Body

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4 signs your body is trying to tell you something

<p>Have you noticed any odd changes in your body? Perhaps your nails have become more brittle lately, or you’ve started to get cracks on the corners of your mouth. These small signs might seem insignificant, but they are your body’s way of signalling that a change has occurred.</p> <p>Here are some of the key signs that your body is trying to tell you something:</p> <p><strong>Burping and indigestion</strong></p> <p>Find yourself burping or struggling with indigestion more than usual? It could be a sign that you’re low on stomach acid.</p> <p>If your body is low on stomach acid, you won’t digest foods efficiently, especially those heavy in fat and protein. As digestion slows, food sits in the stomach along with the air you naturally swallow when you eat. The longer food stays in the stomach, the more likely you’ll burp.</p> <p><strong>Yellow spots around your eyes</strong></p> <p>Discoloured spots around your eyes and elbows can be a sign that your cholesterol levels are raised. It’s a condition known as xanthelasma, which can be your body’s way of telling you that your diet or exercise routine is amiss.</p> <p>Be sure to consult a doctor if you need to check your cholesterol. A routine blood test will be able to give you the answer, and you can talk to your doctor about what lifestyle changes will help.</p> <p><strong>Itchy feet</strong></p> <p>Summertime often means more visits to the pool or time exercising outdoors. But sweaty trainers and damp feet can also lead to an increase in fungal infections.</p> <p>If you notice your feet are itchy, take a closer look at the skin. If it’s white and flaking off, or simply damp between the toes you may have a fungal infection. Head to the pharmacist for an anti-fungal cream to clear it up, stat.</p> <p><strong>Cracks in the corners of your mouth</strong></p> <p>Small cracks in the skin at the corner of your mouth is often a sign that your body isn’t getting enough B vitamins. If your diet is high in refined and processed foods- think soft drink, pastries and pasta- B vitamins are often the first to take a hit.</p> <p>The answer? Opt for a diet high in whole foods. Try eating more grains, legumes, salmon and red meat, all foods high in B vitamins. If in doubt, always contact a healthcare professional.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="../health/wellbeing/2015/10/how-to-lose-weight-after-60/">How to lose weight after 60</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2015/11/how-to-stay-asleep/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 tips to stay asleep all night</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/body/2015/11/best-outdoor-exercise-options/">The best ways to exercise outdoors</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Body

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11 things your itchy skin can reveal about your health

<h2>Kidney disease</h2> <p>Intense itchy skin all over the body often occurs in people with late-stage kidney disease or those who suffer from chronic renal failure. In fact, 42 per cent of dialysis patients suffered from moderate to extreme itchiness, according to a study published in Renal Failure. “Some people describe it as a nuisance,” says dermatologist, Dr Anthony M. Rossi. “[The itch] is so intense that people wake up in the middle of the night scratching.” Science has yet to uncover why kidney disease causes itchiness, but doctors suspect it has to do with the build-up of toxins in your body when your kidneys are unable to remove the waste from your bloodstream.</p> <h2>Liver disease</h2> <p>Itchy skin all over could also be a silent sign of liver disease. Where incessant itchiness shows up late-stage in kidney disease, it can be an early symptom of liver disease. “If your liver is not functioning properly to detoxify the body, byproducts like bile acids back up,” says Dr Kathleen Cook Suozzi, assistant professor in the department of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. “The primary goal is to treat the underlying liver disease and prescribe medications that can eliminate bile acids.” Doctors will typically prescribe medications that can inhibit your body’s uptake of bile acids or help reduce the amount of bile acid returning to the liver.</p> <h2>Dermatographia</h2> <p>If after lightly scratching your skin, your fingernails leave thin, raised red welts on your skin that take 15 to 30 minutes to disappear, you may suspect dermatographia or dermatographism, a form of chronic hives. “It’s an extreme skin condition, where your skin is sensitive to touch and releases too much histamine,” says dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, Dr Cameron Rokhsar. Although the cause of this condition is unclear, it may be triggered by stress, infections, allergens, or medications, he says, adding that areas commonly touched by other skin or clothing are the most susceptible to dermatographic flare-ups. It’s easy to diagnose but often goes undiagnosed because it’s not severe or bothersome enough for people to make an appointment with their dermatologist. If the itch becomes severe, your doctor can prescribe an antihistamine to relieve the inflammation, he says. For patients with severe hives who don’t get better with antihistamines, omalizumab injections in a doctor’s office may provide relief.</p> <h2>Spinal disease</h2> <p>Chronic itchy skin on the upper middle section of the back (without a rash) can be a hallmark of neuropathic itch, a symptom of nerve malfunction. Before providing treatment, doctors will first rule out spinal cord disease as a cause. Research has shown that spinal disease, whether due to age or injury, can apply pressure on the nerve and pinch it, which results in an itchy sensation on the skin. Neuropathic itches can occur on one side of the body or both, but it’s a big red flag if scratching brings no relief. “People with eczema get a good sensation from scratching,” says Dr Rossi. “But [nerve itch] doesn’t improve with scratching. The itch intensifies most of the time.” Some people say it feels like insects are crawling on them. Once spinal cord disease or other health conditions have been ruled out, neuropathic itches can be treated with capsaicin cream, which is derived from capsicums, to burn out the nerves that are firing irregularly on the skin.</p> <h2>Coeliac disease</h2> <p>Extremely itchy bumps or blisters on knees, elbows, buttocks, and/or hairline may be signs of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), a skin manifestation of coeliac disease, says dermatologist, Dr John Zone. Basically, when a person with coeliac disease eats food containing gluten, their immune system responds by producing antibodies called immunoglobulin A (IgA). These IgA antibodies travel to and bind with the skin cells to trigger an itchy response. The prescription Dapsone can provide short-term itch relief for the skin, but if the intestinal damage is serious patients have to adopt a strict gluten-free diet for life. If they continue to eat gluten, coeliac patients can develop malnutrition, anaemia, bone loss, ulcerative colitis, and even cancer.</p> <h2>Lymphoma</h2> <p>“The other thing that you want to rule out are blood disorders,” says Dr Suozzi. “Anywhere from five to 30 per cent of lymphomas such as Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s can present with itch.” Itchiness with or without a rash can be the first symptom of Hodgkin’s disease – likely caused by cytokines, cell signal molecules that trigger inflammation in response to infection. If your doctor suspects lymphoma, she may order a chest X-ray. If you’re diagnosed with the disease, the itching will cease soon after starting chemotherapy or radiation therapy.</p> <h2>Thyroid disease</h2> <p>“Thyroid disease, whether it’s overactive or underactive, can cause weird sensations in the skin,” says Dr Rohskar. “No one knows the association but it may be that the changes in the sweat glands can cause skin dryness.” Itchy, dry skin is more common in people who have hypothyroid because skin tissue contains thyroid hormone receptors that are seeing diminished cellular activity in the absence of thyroid hormone.</p> <h2>Allergies</h2> <p>Allergies are one of the most common chronic health conditions in the world. In fact, many skin allergies are classified under the umbrella term contact dermatitis, the itchy rash on your skin that you get when you come into contact with an allergen. Plants, nickel, or compounds found in personal care items like baby wipes and makeup are just a few of the allergens that can cause contact dermatitis. If the itchiness is localised to your eyes, if could be a sign of eyelid dermatitis. Your dermatologist or allergist can use a patch test to figure out what your triggers are. “It’s like a treasure hunt when we’re trying to look into all the products that people use,” says Dr Suozzi. A strong topical steroid is prescribed for relief.</p> <h2>Menopause</h2> <p>If you’ve finally hit menopause, you may have noticed a sudden change in your appearance – including dry, itchy skin. The loss of oestrogen, an essential building block for collagen production, leads to thinner, itchier skin due to a diminished supply of natural oils that keep your skin’s moisture intact, says OB/GYN, Dr Sherry Ross. Maintain your fountain of youth with aloe vera gel or calamine lotion, which help hold water in your skin’s outermost layer to alleviate drying and itching.</p> <h2>Breast cancer</h2> <p>Paget’s disease of the nipple is an incredibly rare form of breast cancer where cancer cells collect in or around the nipple. According to Rare Cancers Australia, Paget’s disease of the nipple is more common in women and is often found in people over 50 years old. The first sign is scaly, red, itchy patches around the nipple and areola. “Sometimes it’s misdiagnosed as eczema of the nipple,” says Dr Suozzi. “But when it’s breast cancer-associated, it’s unilateral.”</p> <h2>Pregnancy</h2> <p>The Royal Australia College of General Practitioners states that 1 in 200 women will develop pruritic urticarial papules and plaques (PUPP), an outbreak of itchy red rashes commonly seen on the abdomen, though they can also appear on your legs and arms. Most women can’t do much about the itch because the rash typically doesn’t develop until late into the third trimester when most medications are off-limits. “It’s not proven but some people say [PUPP] can happen with multiple gestations like twins,” says Dr Rossi. “And some people think it’s because the skin gets stretched out.” Fortunately, it’s harmless and goes away after pregnancy.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/beauty/skin/11-things-your-itchy-skin-can-reveal-about-your-health?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

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Are itchy insect bites worse for us?

<p>New research suggests we could better understand mosquito-borne disease by looking closely at our itchy bites.</p> <p>Mosquitoes need blood. Unfortunately, they often get that blood from us; some of us are bitten more commonly than others.</p> <p>But mosquitoes aren’t flying syringes transporting droplets of infected blood from person to person. The mosquitoes need to be infected with a pathogen first before it can be passed on. And, more importantly, the mozzie’s spit must be infected.</p> <p>When a mosquito bites, she (only female mozzies bite) injects saliva to get the blood flowing. It’s a mixture of chemicals that helps the mosquito suck up blood from their unsuspecting victim.</p> <p>The reaction to mosquito bites can vary greatly. For many, a “mozzie bite” will be a mild annoyance that resolves itself without too much trouble. For others, the reaction can be more serious.</p> <p>It is particularly troublesome for young children who seem to react the worst. While there are no magic solutions to solve the itch, reactions generally get less severe as we develop a tolerance to bites.</p> <p>The spit may cause a reaction but it can also contain something more serious. Mosquito-borne pathogens, such as malaria, dengue and chikungunya, infect hundreds of millions of people every year. The emergence of Zika virus and its link to birth defects is yet another reminder of how potent these pathogens can be.</p> <p><strong>Spit is the secret to infection</strong></p> <p>Not everyone bitten by a mosquito carrying a virus will develop symptoms. New research suggests the worse our reactions to mosquito bites, the more likely it is we’ll get sick.</p> <p>The scientists allowed the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, to bite laboratory mice and then injected the mice with Semliki Forest virus (an African mosquito-borne virus that generally causes mild symptoms in humans) via syringe.</p> <p>Other mice were only injected with the virus. What they found was that the immune cells that rushed to the bite site as part of an inflammatory response helped the virus replicate and spread. Mice without mosquito bites had substantially lower rates of infection.</p> <p>The implication is the reaction of the host to a mosquito bite may play a critical role in the virus' ability to infect the host. This isn’t surprising, and previous research has suggested an important role for mosquito saliva in virus transmission. These mosquito-borne viruses have evolved to exploit mosquitoes to get from host to host, why not adapt to the immune response of their hosts to further aid their survival?</p> <p><strong>Reducing bite reactions and infection risks</strong></p> <p>The latest research hints at a fascinating potential for mosquito-borne disease prevention.</p> <p>We already have a wide range of safe and effective mosquito repellents that can help prevent bites. We just need to encourage people to use them correctly. If you can stop mosquitoes biting, you can stop disease.</p> <p>Perhaps the use of anti-inflammatory creams or other medications may further reduce the chances of illness. It’s difficult to stop all bites and only takes one infected mosquito to slip through the cracks in our repellent coverage to cause infection.</p> <p>Could using these creams act as a safety net? If you can’t stop all the bites, at least minimising the inflammation may assist in reduce risk of disease.</p> <p>How do you repel mosquitos? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Cameron Webb. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2016/06/little-white-dots-under-skin/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Why we get little white dots under our skin</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/01/why-mosquitoes-are-more-attracted-to-some-people/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Why mosquitoes are more attracted to some people</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/10/natural-mosquito-repellents/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Natural mosquito repellents</span></strong></em></a></p>

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Home remedies for dry eyes

<p>Dry eyes can lead to itchiness, soreness and grittiness. While eye drops provide some relief from the unpleasantness, there are plenty of home remedies that work just as well. What’s even better is that many of these items will be around the house!</p><p><strong>Hot compress –</strong> It may be simple but it works. Take a damp and warm washcloth and let it sit over your eyes for 10 minutes. Re-soak in warm water and repeat. It restores moisture to the eyes and opens clogged oil glands.</p><p><strong>Tea bags –</strong> Tea helps hydrate those peepers. Take a couple of used tea bags and rinse them and place over eyes for five minutes.</p><p><strong>Cucumber –</strong> It’s not just for spa days; cucumber helps stimulate moisture and relaxes tired eyes. Cut slices of refrigerated cucumber so they’re cool. Place on eyes for 20 minutes.</p><p><strong>Lavender oil –</strong> Soothingand cooling for the eyes, add two or three drops of lavender oil to a bowl of warm water. Dip two cotton balls and squeeze out excess water. Place over closed eyes.</p><p><strong>Aloe vera –</strong> Extract some aloe vera juices from your plant (cut the leaf and squeeze it out). Mix the juice with some cold water. Soak two cotton balls, squeeze out excess moisture and place over eyes.</p><p><strong>Cold milk –</strong> Great for dry and itchy eyes, dab cotton ball in cold milk and rub around the eyes.</p><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/health/eye-care/2015/02/health-clues-from-eyes/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 health clues from your eyes</span></a></strong></em></p><p><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/health/eye-care/2014/12/massages-for-eyes/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Simple massages to relieve tired eyes</span></a></strong></em></p><p><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/health/eye-care/2014/12/treatment-watery-eyes/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Say goodbye to watery eyes with these tips</span></a></strong></em></p>

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