Wedding veils weren’t designed to mask watery eyes, catch the drips from running noses or to block a sneeze spray from hitting the groom. And—honestly—a congested nose, bloodshot eyes and hive-covered skin isn’t the go-to bridal glamour you want to capture for your wedding day. Unfortunately, for brides who suffer from allergies, certain fabrics, pollen from bouquets or choosing the wrong metal while exchanging rings might trigger a nasty reaction.
Spring and it’s floral-filled blooming glory are right around the corner…and so are pollen, ragweed, mold, dust and grass clippings. So for all future brides who are taking a trip down the aisle during peak allergy season, here are a few tips to help you avoid any unsightly and uncomfortable reactions.
The Fury of Floral
Allergic to pollen? Step away from the flowers, ladies! Yes, real live luscious blooms look ravishing and smell wonderful. But pollen sufferers should avoid real flowers… or at least choose roses, as they are known for being hypoallergenic. And don’t even think about popping Benadryl or some other OTC concoction that you think will get you through the day just so you can carry those real blooms. You will crash and burn on an antihistamine…the meds will ruin the day and make you feel like nodding off into the bountiful skirt of your dress! So just avoid the real flowers, and skip the possible consequences of wafting pollen. Silk arrangements look just as lovely, and most people won’t even be able to tell that your flowers are faux. Carrying silk flowers also makes for a lighter bouquet, so you won’t have to worry about weight lifting those hefty flowers all day long.
Fabric Faux Pas
Some people find certain fabrics to be irritating, or they are just plain allergic to the textile. However, many people aren’t necessarily reacting to the actual fabric but the chemicals on the fabric. Textile Contact Dermatitis is—according to DermNet New Zealand—more common in women than men. And women with sensitive skin are found to be very prone to textile irritations.
For sensitive skin brides who are prone to contact dermatitis, choose a dress made from a natural fabric like linen, cotton or silk. Yes, the dress will likely be a bit pricier. However, unless you want to break out in red itchy rashes or welts, the price is probably worth it. And while you might think that a cotton wedding dress is not a thing, trust me…it is! Many brides want natural fabrics, and The Cotton Bride has your back…literally. You’re welcome.
Metal Mishaps
After wearing my wedding set everyday for years, the skin beneath my rings started to become really, really itchy and irritated. Turns out, the rings were trapping soap and debris…and my skin was angry. Very, very angry. My sensitive skin had to be treated with hydrocortisone cream, and, eventually, all was well. Rings can cause skin disasters if you aren’t diligent with cleaning. Always clean rings—inside and outside. And avoid exchanging rings that contain metals that have a history of irritating your skin. The best way to tell if you’re sensitive to a certain metal is an earring test. For ladies with pierced ears, you know that some metals leave piercing holes red and itchy. Nickel is often the culprit in jewellery allergies and is used to create coloured metals like white gold. Some women also react to copper, which is mixed with gold to make rose gold.
The Air Out There
The biggest culprit for allergy-prone brides is just the environment. An outdoor wedding planned for spring and summer when flowers are blooming and grass is freshly cut creates a matrimonial environment filled with allergy triggers. If you suffer from outdoor allergies, plan to say “I Do” indoors. While you can take injections to help alleviate effects of allergens, don’t risk the biggest day of your life by subjecting yourself to any possible allergic surprises. There are so many things that can’t be controlled on a wedding day, so take control of what you can…when you can!
As the bride, you deserve to shine! That means no hives, no uncontrollable sneezing and definitely no runny nose, so plan ahead and create a hypoallergenic day without risk of any hiccups!
Guest Writer Shannon Lochwood
