Skin prone to allergies in spring

Spring brings revival of all things, and diseases tend to recur during this season. Among them, skin allergies are common spring ailments. In Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital’s dermatology department, such conditions almost become epidemic after spring begins.
Why is skin more prone to allergies in spring? Dr. Chen Yong, deputy chief physician at Beijing TCM Hospital’s Dermatology Department, told reporters: Before spring arrives, people have just endured a winter of storage. During winter, the skin undergoes protection, reducing melanin and thinning the stratum corneum, making its defense against UV rays weaker—like a greenhouse flower. In spring, people often only feel warmth from the sun but overlook the damage UV rays can cause. At this time, the skin’s resistance to external factors like UV rays is weakest throughout the year, making sudden adaptation inevitable. In other words, if someone is allergic to UV rays, their condition often worsens starting in spring after exposure. Thus, sun protection in spring is crucial.
People prone to spring skin allergies should avoid allergens like pollen and dust. Diet-wise, they must guard against “illness entering through the mouth.” Animal heads and hooves are considered “trigger foods”—such as pork head meat and pig trotters. While most people know not to eat seafood when allergic, why does seafood trigger allergies? Dr. Chen explained from a TCM perspective: Sea water is cold, belonging to “yin.” Deep sea water reaches tens of meters deep with high pressure. Yet seafood thrives freely in these depths, showing vigorous vitality. What kind of substance is it? It belongs to “yang within yin.” Thus, consuming seafood generates significant heat, explaining why it commonly triggers allergies.
Spring is a high-risk period for dry and normal skin types to develop allergies. Dr. Chen pointed out that according to the TCM principle of “harmony between man and nature,” people should, during spring skincare, reduce intake of nuts like peanuts and sunflower seeds, and spicy foods to avoid internal heat. Instead, they should eat more soups, porridges, and foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness, such as jujubes and wolfberries. Additionally, drinking more water is essential. Especially for those with allergic skin conditions, diet should be light and bland.