季节性过敏也会“上脸”：皮肤科医生讲清机制与处理分寸

6 min read

YOU PROBABLY KNOW THE USUAL SIGNS of seasonal allergies: sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, the seemingly endless need for tissues. But what about sudden dry patches on your face? Or puffiness around your eyes that no amount of concealer seems to hide? Turns out, your skin might be having an allergic reaction of its own this time of year.

And you wouldn’t be the only one. Roughly one in four American adults experiences seasonal allergies, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While we tend to associate them with respiratory symptoms, the same immune response responsible for a runny nose can also cause your complexion to go haywire. "Seasonal allergies affect the skin through both the immune response itself and the habits that come with feeling itchy and congested," says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. That means the irritation you're seeing in the mirror might not be entirely unrelated to what's floating around outside—you might be overdoing it with the Kleenex or making yourself even puffier with lack of sleep. (Joy.)

Meet the experts: Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist with the Shafer Clinic in New York City. Daniel Gardner, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon and chief medical officer at NakedMD. Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University.

The good news? Understanding what's happening beneath the surface can help you manage the symptoms. Ahead, experts explain how and why seasonal allergies can wreak havoc on your complexion, ways to recognize the signs, and what actually helps.

What are seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies, sometimes called hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, occur when your immune system reacts to otherwise harmless environmental substances, such as pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. Unlike food allergies, which involve reactions to something you've eaten, or insect-sting allergies, seasonal allergies are typically triggered by allergens circulating in the air during particular times of year.

The underlying immune response, however, isn't entirely different. When someone who's sensitized to pollen encounters it, their immune system can trigger specialized cells called mast cells to release histamine and other inflammatory chemicals. "Histamine, in response to seasonal allergies, is our body making a mountain out of a molehill," says Daniel Gardner, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon and chief medical officer at NakedMD. "Essentially, our body is sensing danger that it doesn't really exist."

Histamine contributes to itching, inflammation, and increased permeability of small blood vessels, allowing fluid to move into surrounding tissues. It's a useful defense mechanism in the right circumstances, but during allergy season, it can leave you feeling (and looking) pretty uncomfortable.

How seasonal allergies affect your skin?

While not everyone with seasonal allergies will experience skin symptoms, certain people are especially susceptible, particularly those with eczema or an underlying tendency toward allergic conditions. There’s even a name for it—the “atopic triad,” which refers to the relationship between eczema, asthma, and seasonal allergies, says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University.

People with these overlapping conditions may be especially susceptible to experiencing dry, itchy, inflamed skin, particularly on the face and hands. Here's what they—and you—may notice:

Puffiness Around The Eyes

One of the most recognizable effects is swelling around the delicate eye area. Histamine increases blood vessel permeability, allowing fluid to accumulate in surrounding tissue. This can exaggerate the natural contours beneath your eyes, sometimes making existing under-eye bags appear more prominent, says Dr. Gardner.

Dryness, Redness, and Irritation

Allergies can also indirectly compromise your skin barrier, the outermost protective layer of skin that’s responsible for keeping moisture in and irritants out. Repeatedly rubbing itchy eyes, wiping your nose, or scratching irritated skin can weaken that barrier, leading to further dryness and inflammation.

Eczema Flares

For people already prone to eczema, seasonal allergens can make existing symptoms worse. Patches may become particularly dry and itchy, especially around the eyes, face, and hands. Chronic eczema can accentuate the appearance of fine lines, meaning seasonal flare-ups may temporarily make skin look more textured, Dr. Gohara adds.

Itching and Hives

Histamine can stimulate nerve endings associated with itching and, in some allergic reactions, trigger raised, swollen welts known as hives. However, hives aren't specific to pollen allergies and can have numerous other causes.

Of course, not every mysterious rash is attributable to the season. Dr. Engelman recommends considering when symptoms appear, where they're located, and whether they coincide with sneezing or watery eyes. "Does the irritation return at the same time each year? Is it worse after being outdoors? Are you also sneezing or experiencing itchy, watery eyes?" she asks. "Those clues make seasonal allergies more likely but do not establish a diagnosis."

Dr. Gohara agrees that understanding the pattern is essential, particularly when skin symptoms overlap with other conditions. "Timing is everything," she says, and recommends working with an allergist to identify potential triggers and determine whether seasonal exposures correspond with skin flare-ups.

A reaction that develops after applying a particular skincare product, meanwhile, might indicate contact dermatitis. And yes, it's possible to develop an allergy to a product you've used without issue for years.

How to treat allergy-related skin issues.

The bad news: There's no single skincare product that can magically make you look flawless if you’re experiencing an allergic response. The most effective approach typically involves treating the underlying allergies while protecting your skin from additional irritation. For starters, oral antihistamines, particularly second-generation options such as cetirizine or loratadine, can help manage histamine-driven symptoms, including itching and hives. However, Dr. Engelman cautions that they won't necessarily resolve eczema-related inflammation or repair a damaged skin barrier.

Dr. Gohara emphasizes that identifying the actual cause of irritation is equally important. She recommends getting evaluated early to distinguish seasonal allergies from other potential causes of skin irritation and determine which treatments are appropriate. For those experiencing persistent itching or eczema, prescription treatments may be necessary, rather than relying exclusively on over-the-counter allergy medications.

If itchy eyes are your main complaint, antihistamine eye drops containing olopatadine or ketotifen may offer relief when used as directed. Addressing the itching can also help break the cycle of rubbing and irritating the surrounding skin. For more persistent seasonal symptoms, an allergist may recommend testing, medications, or allergen immunotherapy, commonly called allergy shots.

As for your skincare routine? Less is generally more when your skin is already inflamed. Engelman recommends sticking with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser, moisturizer, and well-tolerated broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, while temporarily avoiding retinoids, exfoliating acids, and scrubs on irritated areas. Gohara similarly recommends gentle that you gotta keep that skin hydrated, adding that barrier-repairing creams can be particularly beneficial when allergy-related irritation has compromised the skin's protective barrier. Helpful ingredients include glycerin, which attracts moisture, and petrolatum, which reduces water loss from dry patches.

A clean, cool compress can also soothe irritated skin around the eyes without the additional friction of rubbing. And while you might be tempted to book a facial or other treatment to tackle visible irritation, some procedures are better postponed. "I would postpone chemical peels, microneedling, or resurfacing procedures over actively irritated or eczematous skin," says Dr. Engelman. "Adding a procedure that disrupts the barrier can make recovery more difficult."

Products That Help When Allergies Strike

Gentle Cleanser

When it comes to soft-touch washes that get the job, nothing holds a candle to this Cerave classic. Chock full of healing ceramides and hydrating glycerin, it’s a foaming cleanser that won’t leave skin stripped.

Moisturizer

An all-around superstar, this dermatologist-developed cream is ideally suited to sensitized skin. What’s in there? Hydrating glycerin, a barrier-boosting peptide complex, and soothing ceramides.

Mineral Sunscreen

A zinc oxide-based formula that provides gentle protection from UV damage and oxidative stress. This one comes in five shades to flatter most skin tones without leaving behind a white cast. It’s also fragrance- and oil-free.

Barrier Balm

This Korean cult favorite is for those days when your skin needs a little extra support—slather it on to keep hydration in and irritation at bay. A nourishing blend of ectoin, ceramide NP, and hylaronic acid fortify your outer layer.

When to see a dermatologist.

If your complexion seems to have a mind of its own whenever pollen counts rise, seasonal allergies could be contributing to the problem. But while occasional puffiness or irritation may improve with at-home care and allergy treatments, persistent itching, worsening eczema, or recurring rashes are worth bringing up with a dermatologist. In this case, your doctor may recommend prescription anti-inflammatory treatments or, in certain cases, medically supervised phototherapy.

In general, it’s always best not to go it alone—especially true if you're not sure what's causing the reaction in the first place. Skincare ingredients, environmental irritants, and underlying skin conditions can produce remarkably similar symptoms. A dermatologist can help distinguish between them, recommend appropriate treatments, and determine whether additional allergy testing is necessary.

It's also worth remembering that allergies aren't necessarily something you're born with. Sensitivities can develop at any age, says Dr. Gohara, even to substances you've previously tolerated. What worked for your skin last spring might not necessarily work this year.

Ultimately, taking care of your skin during allergy season isn't about piling on more products or chasing a quick cosmetic fix. It's about identifying what's triggering the inflammation, treating the allergy when necessary, and giving your skin barrier a chance to recover.

Samantha Leal is a writer, editor, and content strategist whose work centers around all things lifestyle—beauty, fashion, drinks, food, travel, and wellness (to name a few). Basically, all the good things in life. She holds a journalism degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, and has held roles at Well+Good, Marie Claire, Latina magazine, and The Knot. Her byline has appeared in Refinery29, Glamour, Teen Vogue, Apartment Therapy, and more.

Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.