As good as bird's nest is, those with skin allergies cannot enjoy it, because it is a high-protein food, similar to shrimp and crab, and belongs to a group of highly allergenic substances.
Health & Wellness Pavilion:
For International Women's Day, my company gave out some vouchers for bird's nest. I had never eaten this before. The female shop assistant said that bird's nest is good for the skin and claimed that she used to have skin allergies, but after eating one small bowl of bird's nest daily, her symptoms naturally disappeared. My skin is very sensitive, and eczema flares up every spring. Can bird's nest really help?
Reader: Ms. Liu
Women should cherish themselves, and bird's nest is often mentioned as a holy grail for beauty. For women, bird's nest has the effect of nourishing yin and is very effective for those with flushed faces, night sweats, and unexplained irritability. Besides, the shop assistant said: eating bird's nest will make your skin smooth and supple. Not to mention skin allergies, it can eliminate any bumps on the face. Does this mean eating bird's nest can fight allergies? Li Hongyi, Director of the Dermatology Department at the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, says this is baseless. Bird's nest contains various amino acids and epidermal growth factor, which has a repairing effect on the skin and can delay aging. However, for those with skin allergy symptoms or who have developed eczema or hives due to allergies, eating bird's nest is like adding fuel to the fire, and the allergic symptoms are very likely to worsen.
Itchy skin allergies? Don't eat bird's nest
First, some people's allergen may be bird's nest itself. This is because some people are allergic to the protein in bird's nest. In addition, some people are allergic to residual animal feathers in the bird's nest. For instance, shrimp and crab are called "trigger foods" because some people are allergic to a certain protein in them. Sensitive individuals may experience allergic symptoms such as skin itching and rashes after eating them.
Furthermore, even if your personal allergen is a different substance and you are not "sensitive" to the protein in bird's nest, if you are in the midst of an allergic reaction, your body is weak, and your digestion of protein foods is poor, it is not advisable to eat bird's nest.
When going out for an outing, look with your eyes but don't touch with your hands
Spring is the "peak season" for skin allergies. The weather is humid, and with a hundred flowers in bloom, there is a lot of pollen in the air. These can be allergens for people with sensitive constitutions, leading to allergic diseases such as eczema and hives. Li Hongyi recommends that people experiencing an allergic reaction should be mindful of their diet, eat less seafood like shrimp and crab to avoid triggering new allergies. During an allergic reaction, the diet should be light, with more vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins.
In this season of a hundred flowers in bloom, the general public enjoys flower viewing and spring outings, but those with allergic diseases suffer much more. This is because some people may be allergic to pollen, and these individuals are not suitable for flower viewing and outings. Additionally, when friends go out, if you have a sensitive constitution, be careful not to touch things indiscriminately. The sap from some plants and spider webs on trees can cause strong allergic reactions upon contact with the human body.
Furthermore, people with skin allergies may experience severe itching. Scratching can lead to hyperpigmentation, making the affected area more prominent and unsightly. It is recommended to see a doctor to get medication.