It’s officially allergy season in the Valley, and while sneezing and congestion are expected symptoms, many people are surprised when their skin starts to react to allergies as well. As a Cosmetic Nurse and Founder of Med 44 Arcadia, I often see patients this time of year with allergy-related skin concerns.

Seasonal allergies can trigger a number of skin-related symptoms. The most common are dryness, redness and irritation. Patients may also experience swelling and puffiness, especially around the eyes and nose. Here are my professional tips and trips to help you look and feel allergen-free this allergy season!

  • Skip the antihistamine and start with natural remedies. Puffy eyes are a hallmark of allergy season because your body releases histamines in response to allergens, causing swelling and fluid buildup particularly around the eyes where the skin is thinnest and most delicate, making it easier to show signs of swelling and puffiness. I recommend combating allergy-induced puffy eyes with more natural remedies including our favorite clean beauty hacks like ice rollers, cold compresses, LED masks, eye gel pads and lymphatic drainage.
  • Consider switching to clean beauty. At Med 44 Arcadia, we guide our patients to remove toxins and irritants from their skincare, makeup, hair care and body care products. Eliminating these products and replacing them with clean beauty alternatives can prevent skin irritations and puffiness.
  • Swap your daily skincare routine to include hypoallergenic options. Patients can easily swap their daily skincare products for hypoallergenic options which are very calming to the eyes and sin. I always recommend the ZO Skin Health Hydrating Cream and a ZO Soothing Ointment to help dry and irritated skin during allergy season.
  • Eye patches are a secret hero. Medical grade eye patches are great to help reduce puffiness. Keep them in the fridge and apply in the morning for 15 minutes to reduce swelling. Apply one an eye cream after to keep the puffiness down throughout the day.
  • Don’t’ forget hydration. Hydration plays a huge role in how your skin and body manage inflammation. Drinking enough water to keep the skin and body hydrated can help reduce allergy-related puffiness by supporting your body’s ability to flush out excess histamine and reduce inflammation.
  • Research in-office treatments. If your symptoms get unmanageable, our Platinum HydraFacial at Med 44 addresses puffiness with lymphatic drainage to drain the excess fluid out of the lymphatic system. It also cleanses, exfoliates and hydrates the skin. Enhancing this treatment with the Eye Perk add-on specifically targets the delicate eye area, utilizing a specialized serum with anti-inflammatory ingredients to reduce puffiness, brighten and hydrate the skin around the eyes.

At Med 44 Arcadia, we offer personalized consultations to help each patient find a plan that works for their unique skin type and seasonal challenges. Whether you’re dealing with allergy-related puffiness, redness or irritation, there are both at-home solutions and professional treatments that can help your skin look and feel its best.

Author: Holly Mueller is a Registered Nurse (BSN), Certified Cosmetic Laser Technician and Medical Aesthetician and owner of Med 44 Arcadia. In addition to her medical aesthetic credentials, Holly has a bachelor’s in nutrition and a Master of Public Health. She loves to holistically educate her patients on anti-aging through good nutrition, wellness and effective medical aesthetic treatments. As a Cosmetic Nurse Injector, Holly has had the opportunity to train with the worlds