Celebrate an Allergy-Free Valentine's Day by Considering These 5 Factors

Love is in the air once again as Valentine's Day approaches to engage couples with gift-giving and memorable surprises. But while this holiday reminds us to value love and show love to people we hold dear, the sweet celebration can easily turn sour when flare-ups get in the way. 

Every February, people are gearing up for Valentine's Day with heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, candle-lit dinners, and colorful combinations of flowers. However, these things, commonly associated with the love month, carry a multitude of possible allergens. 

To stop your romantic outings from turning into an emergency visit to the doctor, the American College of Allergy & Immunology advises everyone, particularly people with skin allergies and other sensitivities, to avoid the triggers and enjoy a day full of love. 

Since we want you and your loved one to have a fun-filled, sweet celebration this Hearts Day, here are the 4 things that you should be wary of when going out to make your day lovely and allergy-free. 

1. GIFTS

Seriously, who doesn't love to receive a nice gift? 

Material gifts, like flowers and clothes, are the most classic presents to show affection and impress your new love this Valentine's. When choosing something to surprise your loved ones, it's best to consider their sensitivities first before their interests. 

For flowers, choose a bouquet of allergy-friendly flowers to be safe, like tulips, roses, daffodils, and others. Some flowers, on the other hand, can trigger allergic rhinitis since they contain pollen grains, causing nasal congestion, watery eyes, and itchy throat. Always ask the florist for flower combinations that produce little pollen. 

Likewise, you should also keep contact dermatitis in mind. When choosing clothes, consider the skin condition of your loved ones, especially if they deal with eczema, psoriasis, or other skin sensitivities. Avoid buying clothing pieces that may irritate their skin to save them from symptoms like rash, blisters, itching, and burning. Look for organic clothing items instead. 

ALLERGY-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE: Our 100% organic cotton collection, ranging from hypoallergenic tops and bottoms to masks and other accessories, would help you live allergy-free days all year round. Visit our site here to know about our offers. 

2. JEWELRY

Another stereotypical gift that can be quite troublesome this Valentine's Day is jewelry. 

Many people tried to bring their gift-giving to the next level. However, the materials contained in some jewelry pieces are found to be harmful to people with skin sensitivities, particularly nickel. 

When pieces of jewelry containing nickel made direct and prolonged contact with the skin, your partner may experience dry and itchy skin, blisters, and rashes in the affected area. 

ALLERGY-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE: Since nickel is most commonly found in necklaces, rings, and earrings, you may opt for hypoallergenic jewelry made from sterling silver, stainless steel, copper, platinum, or polycarbonate plastic.

3. MAKE-UPS AND COLOGNES

Ever heard of perfume allergy? Well, they're real, too! 

Strong fragrances, such as colognes, body perfumes, and other scented products, can trigger headaches, sneezing, watery eyes, and runny noses to people with fragrance allergies. Oftentimes, they react with the strong odors and other allergens present in the perfumes. 

Aside from perfumes, women who want to look their best for that anticipated date should watch out for hidden contact allergens to various beauty products. In some cases, facial colognes, lip balms, and even lipstick may contain allergens, triggering your irritant contact dermatitis. 

ALLERGY-FREE ALTERNATIVE: Use gentle beauty products that your doctor recommended to voiding blisters and that burning, stinging sensation. 

4. DINNER

Opening up your food allergy to someone whom you're newly dating can be a little awkward, but it shouldn't be! 

Every couple wants to have a romantic dinner for Valentine's Day, so if you and your partner have plans to dine out, be a hero and call the restaurant ahead to let them know about your partner's food allergies. 

If you're taking the sweetness at home, double-check the ingredients when preparing your sweetheart's favorite meals without his/her triggers. Also, check the labels when buying chocolates for your significant other. Most chocolates contain some of the top allergens like eggs, milk, and peanuts. 

ALLERGY-FREE ALTERNATIVE: Discuss your partner's likes and dislikes before presenting them with a gift of food. 

5. BRING YOUR MEDICATIONS

A romantic Valentine's Day doesn't need to be reckless. Whether you have food allergies or skin sensitivities, precautions are still needed to reduce the risks of visiting the hospital for an allergic reaction. 

Truth be told: Valentine's Day can be a little bit scarier than Halloween when the important things are overlooked, so don't forget to bring your ultimate defenses against these allergens. 

There's no need to nix your date. Just carry your medication with you, may it be an antihistamine, corticosteroid cream, or an epinephrine auto-injector. 

TAKEAWAY: Whatever your plans to show affection are to your loved ones, make sure that your surprises are allergy-free, non-irritating, and harmless. Just remember, preparation is always the key to a safe celebration. From all of us at Cottonique, Happy Valentine's Day! 

DISCLAIMER: The information presented on Cottonique is not, and will never be, intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content materials found on this site, from text, treatments, outcomes, charts, graphics, photographs, and study findings, are created and published for general informational purposes only. It should not, in any way, be construed as a standard of care to be followed by a user of the website. 

Thus, readers are encouraged to verify any information obtained from this website with other accurate references and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with their physician. As Cottonique strives to help those with allergies live with better days, the hypoallergenic apparel brand encourages everyone to always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.