So what do you do when you fear you’re suffering with Dog Allergy Symptoms?

How do I know if I’m allergic to dogs?

The symptoms of a dog allergy can vary but generally match up to those of other nasal allergies. They can include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Red, itchy eyes
• Runny, stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Itchy rash

These symptoms can be worsened by other factors including tobacco smoke, car fumes or any other surrounding allergens such as pollen.

Symptoms of a dog allergy can range in severity, so for some they may become more severe than others. For sensitive skin sufferers, something as small as a dog’s lick can make their skin break out almost instantly.

How can I treat my Dog Allergy Symptoms?

If you own a dog and suspect it may be the cause of your allergy symptoms, then you may want to put it to the test. Remove your dog from your home for a period of time and see if it makes a difference to your symptoms. If not, then you may need to start thinking about what else could be causing your symptoms.

If your symptoms do noticeably improve in the absence of your dog, or if you do not own a dog yourself yet suffer from an allergy to them, then it’s important you start to consider your treatment options. Always visit your local GP to confirm your allergy before taking any steps in treating it.

Maintaining a clean, hygienic household could help eliminate dog dander from your house and reduce your Dog Allergy Symptoms. Regularly wash your bedding, clothing and even furniture.

Syrinx Za’s Ultra-Sensitive Cream, Therapy Balm, Emollient, and Therapy Bar all contain Sapropel, a hydrating natural ingredient that has proven to effectively treat the effects a dog allergy may have on the skin.

Alternatively, you may find one product works better for you than the other as everyone’s skin is different, so try them out and see which works best for you. When suffering with a dog allergy, replacing the Ultra-Sensitive Cream or Therapy Balm with the Emollient may be more effective in reducing allergy symptoms. However some have found that just using the Deep Cleansing Therapy Bar is enough to ease their symptoms completely.

For best results, apply every morning and night – and during the day if patches flare up.

Skin needs a certain level of oil in order to be healthy but oily skin occurs when the sebum glands overproduce this oil. There a number of factors that are thought to cause oily skin symptoms including hormones, genes, diet and even humidity.

Oily Skin Tips…

Many products claim to be able to eliminate and reduce the excess oil within your skin but, thanks to many of the hidden ingredients, can actually cause irritation and make oily skin even worse.

We know you can fight your hormones or genes so, as promised, here are our Tips for Managing Oily Skin.

• Always follow a washing-moisturising regime. This is a crucial step in reducing the symptoms of oily skin and should be done on a daily basis.
• Lukewarm water is more effective in dissolving the oil so always try to get water to this kind of temperature before washing.
• Use a mild, all natural soap. Soaps with harsh chemicals can irritate the skin and cause an overproduction of oil to occur, perhaps even worse than it was to begin with.
• Do not over wash – once a day is enough to keep your skin healthy.
• Never go to sleep with makeup on as you are putting your skin at risk of clogged pores and excessive oil production. Your skin needs time to breathe.
• Stick to a healthy diet – avoid greasy foods and make sure you always have veggies or fruit on your plate!
• Opt for a natural moisturiser. It may not make sense to apply moisturiser to oily skin but it is important to replace the moisture that is removed while cleansing.
• Regularly exfoliate. Oily skin tends to have a layer of dead skin cells that have been built up on the surface of the skin. Exfoliation can remove this build up while reducing clogged pores and keeping the skin smoother.
• Drink plenty of water to detoxify your body and keep your skin healthy and clear.

Everyone’s skin is different…

After following our Tips for Managing Oily Skin you may be on the lookout for some natural products to treat your skin with.

The Syrinx Za Therapy bar is a great alternative to harsh, chemical-filled soaps and is very beneficial when used on oily skin. Use it as you would a soap to detoxify your skin while keeping it deeply cleansed.

We also offer a natural Emollient, Skin Revitaliser and Balm to be used as a moisturising support for your skin. We know that everyone’s skin is different so you may want to try all three of our moisturising products for 2 weeks at a time to find which works best for you.

A shaving rash is caused by an improper shaving technique. This could be anything from holding the razor at an awkward angle, not allowing the skin enough moisture before shaving or simply using harsh soaps. All these factors could irritate the skin leaving a very unsightly, uncomfortable and even sometimes painful rash. It usually appears as red bumps that are raised and could be mistaken for acne.

A deeper look at Shaving Rashes…

The red bumps that may sometime appear after shaving your legs are actually ingrown hairs. Immediately after shaving your legs, sometimes the tips of any remaining hair rotate and start growing back into the follicle it came from as opposed to growing outward as it is supposed to. This then causes a Shaving Rash on the Legs.

Shaving also removes the top layer of skin, exposing the hair follicles to bacteria and inflammation, making it more vulnerable to rashes.

This can happen for a variety of reasons. Dry skin, oily skin or dead skin cells can all block the pores within the skin on your legs and cause such a rash to occur.

The texture of your hair could also be an influencer – coarse, curly hair is more likely to curl back into the follicle than fine, straight hair is.

Shaving too closely, using an old/dirty razor or waxing/hair removal cream can also irritate the exposed hair follicle and cause a shaving rash.

Treating a shaving rash…

Allowing your hair to grow for a few weeks usually completely gets rid of any Shaving Rash on the Legs. This is because it gives the ingrown hairs enough time to come out of the hair follicles again.

In the meantime, you may want to keep your legs well moisturised to reduce redness and keep dryness and irritation at bay. The Syrinx Za Hydrating Balm and Skin Revitaliser are both designed hydrate dry skin rashes, leaving them moisturised and soothed. Both products contain antiseptic properties that can help to alleviate any irritation caused by shaving rashes.

Everyone’s skin is different so why not try both to find which works best for you? Alternate between using the balm and the cream twice a day and see the results for yourself.

Using natural Emollients for Eczema is highly recommended as they are incredibly effective in reducing the symptoms, such as itching, whilst softening and moisturing the skin.

When to use an Emollient

If you feel your skin is dry or you have a skin condition or many you suffer with such as eczema, then you may find use from using an emollient.

Emollients tend to work at their best for eczema when the skin is wet, so applying the cream to your affected areas of skin after showering or bathing is advised.

Natural Emollients

Emollients can come in a variety of forms such as ointments and shower additives or soaps but, for easy and regular application purposes, emollient creams are strongly favoured. Emollient creams are also less greasy than ointments and have been found to absorb much more effectively into the skin.

Of course, there are many Emollients for Eczema out there to choose from, but be careful as many of these contain artificial colours and chemicals, and cause such bad irritation that instead of healing the eczema it can actually make it worse than it was to begin with.

Some emollients can be paraben-based. Parabens are a harmful additive that works by sealing over the skin and blocking the skin’s natural moisture. Putting such petrochemicals in the skin may work well on your eczema symptoms at first but can cause an array of problems in the long-term as it can seriously damage and weaken your skin. Natural emollients that are paraben free generally come quite risk-free and can be considered a long-term solution to the problem.

Our recommendation

The Syrinx Za Natural Emollient is a natural, chemical-free Emollient for Eczema. It uses the ancient skin-healing abilities of both Sapropel and Argan Oil that work together to draw impurities from the skin, rehydrate, soothe and relieve the symptoms of eczema.

We advise you use the Emollient twice a day for at least two weeks to see results and start your new, eczema-free life!

As a psoriasis sufferer, have you ever noticed that the more stressful your life becomes, the more severe your psoriasis comes? Well, don’t put it down to coincidence – Psoriasis and Stress very much go hand in hand

What is stress

Stress can stem from almost anywhere, whether it be relationship stress, workplace stress, grief, family problems or even negative world news. Unfortunately, however, stress can also come from having to cope with a skin condition such as psoriasis. So while stress may cause psoriasis, psoriasis also causes stress, meaning a very vicious cycle starts to emerge.

How are Psoriasis and Stress linked?

No researcher can categorically confirm that there is a definitive causal link between the two, but studies suggest it is highly likely that there is one.

It may seem like a strange pairing because it is, essentially, a link between the psychological and the physical. However, it is completely plausible as the psychological stress could cause a hormone release, meaning it could well lead to a physical problem such as psoriasis. Stress can also suppress the immune system, making the skin less able to produce defensive proteins and leaving it highly vulnerable to skin conditions.

So, what aspects of coping with psoriasis can cause stress? Well, if you suffer with psoriasis yourself then this question is pretty easy to answer. The stigma of living with psoriasis can cause a sufferer to become very self-conscious and find normal social situations significantly more stressful. Psoriasis treatments can be very expensive too, not to mention the uncomfortable, often painful factor that comes with the condition.

How can I treat the problem?

The best thing you can do to ease the relationship between Psoriasis and Stress is to treat them separately.

Focusing on stress, try using relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga can be hugely beneficial in reducing your stress levels. Also, invest the time and effort into finding psoriasis treatment that you can rely on to help ease your mind.

Focusing on your psoriasis symptoms, both the Syrinx Za Natural Emollient and Skin Revitaliser contain a variety of natural ingredients that work together to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis.

Because we know that everybody’s skin is different, we strongly recommend initially using both these products to treat your psoriasis and find which works best for you. You could start the day by applying the Ultra-Sensitive Therapy Cream, using the fingertips to work the cream into the affected areas gently but firmly, and then end the day with the Emollient, or vice versa. For best results, apply every morning and night – and during the day if patches flare up.

Understanding why makeup may be the cause of your dry skin and knowing the best way to treat it is of the utmost importance in preventing the problem. Trust me, you’d be surprised at what a difference it could make!

How can makeup cause dry skin?

So, we know that Makeup and Dry Skin are certainly not a good combination. Flaky, dry skin can make powder and foundation very difficult to apply and does not generally help you on the way to a flawless complexion.

Many makeup products contain parabens in a bid to keep it preserved and fresh for years. Great for shelf life, but terrible for dry skin. Parabens can strip your skin of the moisture and can cause dry skin problems to arise. Existing dry skin can become more sensitive thanks to parabens, meaning your skin not only becomes at risk of become even drier but also at developing other skin conditions and problems.

Many also believe that the most ‘gentle’ type of makeup is mineral makeup. So, it must be super hydrating and great for moisturising our skin, right? Wrong. The truth is that such mineral powders and foundations actually have absorbing properties as opposed to moisturising ones. Minerals such as Silica, Kaolin and Magnesium can absorb the skin’s natural oils and dry out skin, leaving it flaky, irritated and in desperate need of a bit of moisture.

How can it be avoided?

Now you hopefully understand a bit more about the problematic link between Makeup and Dry Skin, the next step is knowing how to tackle it. And luckily, it doesn’t mean you need to stop using makeup altogether.

Start to focus more on restoring the moisture that some makeup may remove from your skin. Opt for all-natural, paraben-free solutions at all times.

Wash your skin and remove makeup using the Syrinx Therapy Bar and lukewarm water, as opposed to normal soaps in hot water. This will gently moisturise your skin and detoxify your pores, leaving the skin happy and irritation free.

The Syrinx Za Hydrating Balm and Ultra-Sensitive Cream are both designed to rehydrate dry skin that has become damaged from harsh treatment, leaving it rehydrated and healthy. Everyone’s skin is different so why not try both to find which works best for you? Alternate between using the balm and the cream twice a day and see results in just two weeks.

There’s nothing that comes closer to your skin than your clothes, and because we have to wear them understanding which fabrics you should avoid and which get the green light is crucial when choosing Clothes for Sensitive Skin.

Fabrics to avoid…

So let’s start with the bad news. There are, unfortunately, more fabrics that agitate your skin than not, which makes choosing Clothes for Sensitive Skin really quite challenging…

Wool
It is strongly recommended that sensitive skin sufferers avoid wool clothing completely.

The short, coarse fibres within the fabric can prick and cause irritation and itchiness for skin, particularly for skin conditions. It also contains lanolin (an oil produced by sheep) which can be an allergen and irritate sensitive skin further.

Cashmere
You may or may not have known it but cashmere is actually formed from goat hair meaning it can be an allergen for many individuals, causing sensitive skin to worsen. Because it is a heavy fabric, it can trap heat in and make the skin become very uncomfortable indeed.

Synthetic Fabrics
Clothes made of synthetic fabrics can cause sensitive skin to become very irritated if they are worn for a prolonged period of time thanks to its tendancy to not allow the skin to breathe through the material. Nylon, polyester and rayon are just some of the synthetic fabrics used within many clothes, so always read the care label closely before purchasing any new item of clothing.

Fabrics to choose…

Silk
While normal silk fabrics contain sericin, (a type of protein that emerges in the silk production and is a well-known irritant for sensitive skin and eczema), certain types of silk can actually be quite a good option for sensitive skin sufferers…

Utilising today’s technology, special silk fabrics are now designed especially for sensitive sufferers that contain no sericin. It is so successful that only one allergy related complaint has ever been reported after use. Sericin-free silk is ideal to support creams and emollients that have been used on affected skin, helping to reduce any inflammation, itchiness or irritation.

Cotton
Cotton is soft, gentle and breathable, and although the short fibres can de-hydrate the skin it is certainly more beneficial than the majority of fabrics on offer.

Keep hydrated!

Even though you can now make better decisions about choosing the right Clothes for Sensitive Skin it is extremely important you do not neglect your skincare regime.

Always remember to use a natural Emollient, Balm or Cream to treat and moisturise your skin underneath your clothes, and substitute any potentially harmful, harsh soaps you use with a natural Therapy Bar. Everyone’s skin is different so try out all Syrinx Za’s range to work out what works best for you and your skin condition.

For many of us, the genes has been inherited, however, environmental or lifestyle factors can also be a cause. Are you an acne sufferer that is also a keen gym-goer or footballer? Well, the connection between your acne and exercise may be stronger than you first thought which poses the question…Does Exercise cause Acne?.

How Does Exercise Cause Acne?

Sweating for any reason, including exercise, can cause a form of acne called Pityrosporum Folliculitis.

This occurs when a normal skin yeast found on everybody’s skin grows too rapidly in the pores thanks to the presence of sweat. This is most common in skin where the pores do no fight off the yeast, allowing it to get out of control and for acne pimples to show up.

Many researchers believe that exercise causes acne more due to the friction factor. Many sports-players wear headgear during play and very often find themselves suffering from acne on their forehead, or runners that use backpacks as they run may find acne symptoms on their skin where the straps lay, suggesting a potential link between tight clothing, sweat, and acne.

Treatment and Prevention

So now we know the answer to Does Exercise Cause Acne? it’s time to understand how to avoid the problem.

You could make sure to avoid tight fitting clothing whilst exercising and keep your hair tied back from your face to avoid sweaty hair suffocating your skin.

Avoid wearing makeup that could block your pores further and cause even more sweating, and definitely avoid scrubbing the skin too hard with any type of harsh soap as this could worsen acne outbreaks.

With this in mind, Syrinx Za has formulated their best selling Deep Cleansing Therapy Bar to achieve these key results as effectively and naturally as possible.

Wash with the Deep Cleansing Therapy Bar twice a day and leave the rich lather to soak into the skin as opposed to washing it off as you would a normal soap. The bar is completely natural and free from steroids and additives. It contains antiseptic qualities that have shown to relieve skin conditions thanks to its key natural ingredient Sapropel.

So, yes, we know that Itching From Allergies is a common occurrence, but why does it happen?

Why do allergies cause itching?

Now for the scientific part…

When an allergy sufferer is exposed to a substance they are allergic to, the body responds by producing vast amounts of antibodies. These antibodies then aim to locate any molecules of the allergen within the body’s bloodstream and remove them by transferring them to the body’s mast cells. This process causes histamine to be released into the body. When histamine is released in large amounts such as this it can cause some body tissue to become inflamed and, therefore, itchy.

What are the dangers of Itching From Allergies?

While it may be the instinctive response when we have an itch, excessive scratching can cause the skin to damage and break, even sometimes bleed.

When the skin is broken, an environment is provided where micro-organisms can flourish, meaning both bacterial and viral infections could occur.

If the skin is broken from scratching then the skin is vulnerable to a bacterium named Staphylococcus Aureus infecting the skin or catching contagious viral infections such as cold sores. Ouch!

How can I treat it?

Keeping your skin completely away from any potential allergens is, of course, ideal but unfortunately not always possible.

The best thing you can possibly do is try to keep Itching From Allergies under control. This means an effective, natural emollient should be applied on a daily basis to calm symptoms.

The Syrinx Za Emollient is a natural chemical-free emollient containing Zander and Argan Oil, ingredients that are able to work together to draw impurities from the skin and relieve inflammation and itchy skin. It uses the ancient healing powers of Sapropel and Argan to soothe and rehydrate the skin, while removing any toxins.

What causes Dry Hair in Pregnancy?

The problem of dry hair during pregnancy usually comes through the second trimester as the influx of hormonal activity kicks in and can even occur in hair that had never actually experienced dryness before. For hair that was already dry previously, pregnancy may exacerbate their problem and they may experience excessively dry hair during gestation.

An increase in hair growth is also a side effect of pregnancy thanks to the intense hormonal changes, scalp hair also thickens and facial hair can increase. This excessive hair becomes more vulnerable to drying out. A pregnant woman may feel the urge to bathe more for relaxation purposes, meaning the hair may become excessively washed, therefore stripping it of its natural oils and leaving it dehydrated.

How can I treat it?

To remedy Dry Hair in Pregnancy try using an all-natural shampoo, conditioner and prewash that are mild and help lessen the amount of natural oils stripped from your hair.

The Syrinx Za Scalp Combo is an ideal three piece natural hair and scalp treatment formulated to treat the symptoms of dry hair, and is completely safe to use during pregnancy.

The Conditioner is particularly effective in treating dry hair when used in conjunction with the Prewash and Shampoo. It has an instantaneous effect on the condition of the hair which means results can be seen (and felt) straight away. It provides the hair with intense moisture and hydration, giving it strength and lustre. Its key hydrating, natural ingredient Sapropel soothes and replenishes the hair and gives it the vitamins and minerals it needs to be restored to its optimum health.

After using the prewash and shampooing, always use the moisturising conditioner to help replenish any lost oil from the wash. Perform this hair care routine only twice or three times a week to lessen dryness from excessive washing.