Why is My Skin So Sensitive All of a Sudden?

Sudden skin sensitivity can be bothersome. One moment you were going about as normal and the second you suddenly notice that your skin becomes irritated by even the slightest touch. 

Sparking a plethora of questions in your mind, why is my skin so sensitive all of a sudden? What could have caused it? Is it an allergic reaction? Is it a symptom of something serious? How to get rid of sensitive skin?

This is why we decided to write this blog, to help you understand why your skin is really sensitive to touch and effective ways to soothe it. 

What is Sensitive Skin?

Sensitive skin is just skin that becomes irritated more easily as compared to normal skin. It can appear anywhere on the body, however, it is more visible and common on the face and hands. 

Skin sensitivity can be triggered by anything from chemicals in skincare products, hormonal changes in the body, to even just coming in contact with a certain type of fabric. The triggers vary from person to person and sometimes it becomes very difficult to pinpoint them on your own.

Some people may naturally have a sensitive skin type while for others it may be a symptom of other skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. We know that irritated skin is a common symptom of sensitive skin, but how do you know if you have sensitive skin?

Sensitive Skin Symptoms

If you have sensitive skin you will notice the following symptoms. However, it is important to understand that these symptoms may appear differently in different people. 

• The skin is more reactive 
• Redness on skin
• Red bumps or blushing
• Skin becomes excessively dry
• Becomes more prone to acne breakouts
• Skin tightness
• Tingling or burning sensation
• Itchy skin
• Scaling and peeling skin

These are some of the most common symptoms but it is not important that if you have sensitive skin you will experience all of them at once. You may experience just one of them or 2 or 3 maybe depending on the root cause and severity of the condition. 

What Causes Skin Sensitivity?

Sensitive skin isn’t just your skin becoming irritated there is a whole process going on behind it. 

Immune System Response

Our immune system plays an important role in our skin’s health. When the skin reacts towards a certain irritant or allergen, it’s actually the immune system that is flagging it as dangerous. 

So sudden skin sensitivity is often triggered by your immune system trying to protect you. However, sometimes the immune system overreacts and starts considering the substance that you previously tolerated easily as harmful to you. 

Role of Natural Skin Barrier

The skin has a natural protective barrier that is responsible for protecting the skin against outside irritants and locking in moisture. 

However, sometimes due to certain factors such as environmental factors, harsh chemicals in skincare products, or skin conditions like eczema, the barrier becomes weak this impaired skin barrier often leads to sudden skin sensitivity.

Now that we have discovered the science behind sensitive skin, let’s discuss what might cause your immune system to overreact or weaken your skin barrier. 

Why is My Skin So Sensitive?

If you are also wondering ‘Why has my skin become so sensitive all of a sudden’ here is your answer. Some of the most common causes of sensitive skin are:

1. Dry Skin 

If you are experiencing dry skin due to any reason, you may notice that your skin becomes tight, itchy, and rough. In severe cases, it can crack and bleed. This makes it difficult for the skin barrier to protect the skin effectively and often leads to really sensitive skin. 

Solution

The best way to reduce sensitive skin associated with dry skin is to keep the skin moisturized as much as possible. Use a fragrance-free moisturizing cream to moisturize your skin at least twice daily, especially after taking a bath. 

2. Eczema Flare-up 

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that causes redness, itching, and irritation on the skin. During an eczema flare-up, the symptoms associated with eczema become worse, and during the remission period, they soothe down. 

An impaired skin barrier and dry skin are common symptoms of eczema, which also lead to extremely sensitive skin. So if you are suddenly experiencing skin sensitivity there are chances you may be having an eczema flare-up. 

Solution

If it is a flare-up, the best way to soothe it is to keep your skin clean, or take a bath with an eczema shampoo and body wash at least once daily, followed by moisturizing the skin with an eczema cream. 

3. Chemicals in Skincare Products

It is essential to be mindful of what you are putting on your skin. Some skincare products may contain harsh chemicals such as

• Fragrances
• Parabens
• Sulfates
• Phthalates
• Formaldehyde
• Dimethicone
• Synthetic dyes

These chemicals can cause irritation on the skin, increase sensitivity, and lead to redness, rashes, and itchy skin. So if you are thinking ‘Why does my skin feel so sensitive​’, it’s time to check if you have recently started using a new skincare product that contains these ingredients. 

Solution

If you notice that you are experiencing skin reactions after using a certain product, immediately discontinue its use. And when you buy a product patch test it on your skin before using it properly. 

4. Psychological Factors

It’s not always about what is going on in your skin but also about what’s going on inside your body. There are various physiological factors that can trigger sensitive skin such as being stressed, angry, or feeling negative emotions for a long period. 

Even though the researchers are unable to fully understand the connection, however, these feelings and emotions can lead to super sensitive skin. If you notice that your skin becomes sensitive in high-stress situations then the first thing you must do is try to reduce stress and calm down. 

Solution

Try reducing stress with the help of deep breathing techniques, meditation, exercise, yoga, or doing things that you love. 

5. Hormonal Changes

Your hormones play an important role in how sensitive your skin is. During hormonal changes in the body, the reduced production of sebum by sebaceous glands can weaken the skin barrier and cause sensitivity. 

Women are more prone to it, you may have noticed that your skin becomes extra sensitive during the menstrual period. Women during their pre and postmenopause also experience increased skin sensitivity in different parts of the body such as feet, face, and hands.

This is also the reason why some teenagers or pregnant women may start experiencing sudden skin sensitivity towards substances that never affected them before. 

6. Allergic Reaction

Some people are born with certain allergies while others develop as they grow. Some of the most common things that people are allergic to are peanuts, gluten, nickel, and soy. An allergic reaction to these allergens can lead to skin sensitivity, redness, rashes, and irritation. 

Solution

If you know what might cause an allergic reaction on your skin then try avoiding it. 

7. Sun Exposure

While you may love taking sun baths on the beach, the sun may not be always your skin’s best friend. Sun exposure for a long period of time or more specifically to UVB radiations can make your skin hypersensitive to touch. 

Sometimes you may notice the sensitivity occurs immediately after coming in contact with UV rays while other times you may start feeling it after 24 hours. 

Solution

Try protecting your body with the help of sunscreen or by covering your body while going out in direct sunlight. Also, try spending less time in direct sunlight to avoid any complications. 

8. Diet

What you eat can highly affect your skin. Even though this is rare, however, people who don’t consume spicy food often may experience sudden skin sensitivity when they eat it. Spicy foods contain a substance known as capsaicin that can trigger irritation receptors in the skin and lead to redness and flushing. 

High consumption of alcohol can also lead to highly sensitive skin. Alcohol can cause dilation of blood vessels and dries out the skin making it more sensitive and vulnerable to external factors. 

Solution

To prevent sensitive skin associated with dietary habits try to maintain a healthy balanced diet and try to limit alcohol consumption. 

9. Weather Conditions

Weather and climate change can also trigger sensitive skin. You may have noticed that your skin becomes extra sensitive, dry, and itchy during the winter. This is usually due to the cold dry air. 

And during summers increased water loss from the body due to sweating and dehydration can also cause the skin to become dry, irritated, and red. 

Solution

Try keeping your skin moisturized as much as possible with a moisturizer for dry sensitive skin and use a humidifier to keep the air moisturized during the winter season. During summers keep your skin clean with a body wash for sensitive skin and moisturize it with a fast-absorbing skin moisturizer. 

10. Pollution

Most of us don’t actually think about it but pollution is another factor. Fine particles also known as PM 2.5 in the pollution stick to the skin’s surface and trigger a chain reaction of oxidative stress. 

This weakens the skin’s natural protective barrier causing dryness, irritation, and increased sensitivity towards external irritants. 

Solution

Always cleanse your skin with a hypoallergenic cleanser after returning from outside to remove harmful bacteria, dirt, and pollution.

11. Contact Dermatitis

This is one of the types of eczema. It is when your skin experiences a reaction or becomes, itchy, irritated, and red after coming in contact with a certain irritant or allergen. The two types of contact dermatitis are:

• Allergic contact dermatitis:

It is when you experience an allergic reaction on the skin when it repeatedly comes in contact with a certain allergen such as poison ivy, jewelry, cosmetics, or metal.

• Irritant contact dermatitis: 

When the skin comes in contact with a certain irritant such as soaps, detergent, or hard water, the skin becomes irritated. 

Solution

To prevent skin sensitivity associated with contact dermatitis, avoid the trigger that causes the reaction or makes your condition worse. If you are unable to rule out the trigger on your own then consult a doctor. 

12. Other Medical Conditions

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions that can cause sensitive skin. However, there are various other medical and skin conditions that can also trigger extra sensitive skin, such as:

• Psoriasis
• Rosacea
• Acne
• Hives
• Diabetes
• Hyperesthesia
• Liver disease

Solution

The sensitive skin caused by medical conditions will get better once you treat the condition itself. 

How to Treat Sensitive Skin?

To reduce the itching, redness, and irritation associated with sensitive skin it is essential that you follow a proper sensitive skincare routine. The main objectives of this routine are to cleanse the skin, keep it moisturized, and restore the protective barrier. 

This can be achieved with the help of:

Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

Cleans your skin especially the face and hands as they are more exposed to irritants with the help of a sensitive skin cleanser once in the morning and once at night before going to bed. 

Also, take a bath daily with a fragrance free body wash for sensitive skin to prevent dirt, oil, and bacteria build up on other parts of the body. While cleansing your skin there are a few things that you must keep in your mind:

• Use lukewarm or cool water instead of hot to wash your skin.
• Gently massage the cleanser on your skin with your fingertips.
• Do not use any harsh scrubs or loofah to cleanse the skin.
• Only use those products that are free from harsh chemicals like fragrances, paraben, sulfate, and phthalates. 
• Always pat dry your skin afterward instead of rubbing it. 

Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

The second step in your skincare routine should be to keep your skin moisturized. Use a skin moisturizer for sensitive skin once in the morning and once before going to bed. Also, remember to moisturize the skin immediately after taking a bath. 

Applying a moisturizer within 3 minutes after a bath while your skin is still a little damp is ideal. Because the skin can absorb more moisture at that time. Apply the moisturizer in a back-and-forth motion instead of rubbing it vigorously on the skin. 

If you are searching for skincare products for sensitive skin then try Happy Cappy Products, these are hypoallergenic, clinically tested, and specially formulated for sensitive skin by an expert pediatrician.

Conclusion

Understanding the root cause of sudden skin sensitivity is the first essential step in managing it. Some of the most common causes of sensitive skin are dry skin, eczema flare-up, sun exposure, pollution, dietary habits, contact dermatitis, or other medical conditions like psoriasis. 

The best way to manage sensitive skin is by prioritizing a skincare routine for sensitive skin, that includes the use of a gentle daily cleanser to keep the skin clean and a good moisturizer for sensitive skin to keep the skin hydrated and restore the impaired skin barrier. Also try avoiding the triggers that worsen the condition.

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