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Aloe Vera in Hand

Can Aloe Vera Make Your Skin Break Out in a Rash?

Q: I was using an eye shadow that made my eyelids break out in dermatitis. (l have fragrance skin allergies). So l tried some aloe vera gel to treat it – big mistake! The rash turned very red and made my eyes incredibly itchy. Can you be allergic to aloe vera?

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Controlling Eczema Flare-Ups in the Summer

Q. Last winter, it was very cold where I live, and I struggled with my atopic eczema. I got outbreaks of dry, flaky or blistering skin, especially on my neck and near my mouth. Do you have suggestions for “winterizing” my skin? I’d like to avoid steroid creams again. For instance, would a super mild soap help?

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Danish young woman looking down

How to Get Your Skin Winter-Ready with Eczema

Q. Last winter, it was very cold where I live, and I struggled with my atopic eczema. I got outbreaks of dry, flaky or blistering skin, especially on my neck and near my mouth. Do you have suggestions for “winterizing” my skin? I’d like to avoid steroid creams again. For instance, would a super mild soap help?

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Safe Makeup Tips for Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Q. My teenage daughter has eczema (atopic dermatitis) that now seems under control. She’s asking about wearing makeup. What do you think would be safe for her to try?

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sandy

What is Contact Dermatitis?

Q. I have hand eczema that is red, scaly and itchy. My doctor thinks it’s “contact dermatitis” and is sending me for patch testing. Can you tell me about the condition and test? FYI, I’m a caterer, so I do wash my hands a lot.

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sandy

Can Allergies Cause or Worsen Dyshidrotic Eczema?

Q. After months of misery, I’ve finally been diagnosed with dyshidrotic eczema on my hands. My doctor says it’s genetic, but since I have asthma and environmental allergies, I wonder could this be caused or worsened by an allergy?

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sandy

Preventing Atopic Eczema Flare-Ups

Q. My 8-year-old daughter gets eczema and finds breakouts during the school year most embarrassing (not to mention itchy). Any suggestions?

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Dr. Sandy Skotnicki

About Poison Ivy Reactions

Q. My son suffers with rashes to poison ivy at the cottage. Is this an allergy?

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sandy

Do I Have an Allergy to Parabens?

Q. I get severe skin breakouts to parabens. They seem to be in so many cosmetics, body creams and sunblocks. Can you tell me what parabens are, what causes this allergy and what I can do to avoid them?

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Do I Have a Shampoo Allergy?

Q. I recently used a new shampoo and it caused my scalp to go bright red, itchy and flaky. My doctor said this was a reaction to sulfates in the shampoo called contact dermatitis. Is this a shampoo allergy? Can you tell me more about what happened?

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Morning makeup

Could I Have an Eye Makeup Allergy?

Q. The skin around my eyes seems easily irritated, and becomes flaky and peels when I wear most eye shadows or use certain moisturizers. Could these be symptoms of an allergy to eye makeup? What do you suggest?

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