3 Annoying Skin Problems That Are Being Caused by Allergies

And how to fix them!

This year’s allergy season has been reported as one of the worst ones ever, thanks to the harsh winter we had and the delayed start of spring. Dubbed the "pollen tsunami," our sinuses don't stand a chance against all the stuff in the air. In addition to making you sneeze and giving you itchy eyes, allergies can also do some serious damage to your skin. Luckily, there are ways to help ease these side effects. Here are some of the main skin issues you can experience when you have allergies—and how to fix them.

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Puffiness
"Your skin can become very swollen and irritated from allergies," says Debra Jaliman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and the author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. This is due to seepage of serum (a clear fluid in the blood that triggers allergic reactions) into the skin. Jaliman recommends anti-inflammatory antihistamines to reduce swelling (look for Allegra or Zyrtec, both of which are available OTC, if you're a first-time allergy sufferer). You can also place ice packs directly on the under-eye area for relief.

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Redness
"The skin around the nose can become red from blowing your nose excessively," says Jaliman. "There are tissues impregnated with aloe, which are much gentler [than the normal kind]." Our favorite is Kleenex Lotion Facial Tissue with Aloe & Vitamin E ($2, drugstore.com). If the redness persists, she recommends using aloe vera gel on the affected skin to naturally reduce redness and inflammation.

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Flakiness
The constant friction from using all those tissues can also leave your skin dry and cause it to peel, says Jaliman. To keep the skin hydrated, the right moisturizer is key. "I tell my patients to use only fragrance-free products,” she says, since fragrances are allergens themselves and can cause even more irritation. She likes Cetaphil, Cerave, Vanicream, and EltaMD.