This article was automatically translated from English and may contain inaccuracies.

Ilkoll nafu x’inhi ġilda sensittiva, imma tassew? Is-sensittività tal-ġilda għandha aktar sfumaturi milli taħseb. Illum se niddefinixxuha bl-għajnuna tax-xjenza u nwieġbu l-mistoqsijiet ewlenin dwarha. Ejja nesploraw is-saffi kollha tas-sensittività tal-ġilda!

F’dan il-post:

X’inhi ġilda sensittiva?

Knowing how hard it is to create a proper definition, an interdisciplinary team worked on a scientifically accurate description that respects what people with ġilda sensittiva feel and experience. As a result, they iddefinixxew ġilda sensittiva as “a syndrome of unpleasant sensations such as stinging, burning, pain, itching and tingling, triggered by stimuli that normally should not cause them. These sensations cannot be explained by lesions from a ġilda disease. Ġilda may look normal or show erythema, and ġilda sensittiva may affect any area, especially the face”.

With this in mind, ġilda sensittiva is a broad term for ġilda that tends to show irritation when exposed to external aggressors. More than a medical diagnosis, it describes ġilda prone to redness, itching, tightness and stinging, on the face and/or body.

These symptoms can also appear after a specific internal or external event. A dermatologu can consider frequency, duration, intensity and triggers to help determine whether you have ġilda sensittiva or another cause explains the symptoms.

X’inhi l-kawża ewlenija tal-ġilda sensittiva?

The exact reason why ġilda sensitivity occurs is not fully known, but a few relevant theories deserve attention. Xi dokumenti jissuġġerixxu a link between ġilda sensittiva and disruption of the epidermal barrier function, which can create the perception of ġilda discomfort, but this is not the whole story. A paper published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology adds that ġilda sensittiva may also result from cutaneous factors such as atopic predisposition and the sensory nervous system, endogenous factors such as hormonal changes, or lifestyle and environmental factors. These may cause and maintain sensitivity. The image below, from the l-istess studju, illustrates these influences for easier understanding.

root cause of sensitive skin

X’jattiva ġilda sensittiva?

Sensitivity may react to triggers such as extreme weather, wind, spicy food, alcohol and friction. Scientists have also found small ethnic differences in how ġilda reacts to these triggers: skont studju, “Afro-Americans reacted less to environmental and alcoholic triggers; Hispanics reacted less to alcohol; Asians reacted more to wind, spices, and alcohol; and Euro-American reacted more to wind.” Whatever your origins, understand what triggers your sensitivity so you can avoid unwanted symptoms.

Kif inkun naf jekk għandix ġilda sensittiva?

If you have ġilda sensittiva, your ġilda will usually let you know. Signs may include redness, dryness or tightness, easy sunburn, or reactivity to kożmetiċi, very hot or cold weather, wind, or everyday life.

The tricky part is knowing whether this is ġilda sensittiva or a medical ġilda condition that needs more care. The safest option is to consult a professjonist tas-saħħa. With a clear understanding of your ġilda’s needs, you can choose better care and avoid products or habits that aggravate it.

Il-ġilda sensittiva dejjem tkun niexfa?

Sensitivity can affect every ġilda tone and type, and you can certainly have sensitive oily ġilda. Still, people with ġilda sensittiva, even oily ġilda, often describe it as dry. A compromised barrier may increase transepidermal water loss, so dehydration can feel like dryness.

Kemm hi rari l-ġilda sensittiva?

Percentages vary, but ġilda sensittiva is not rare. Xi dokumenti jissuġġerixxu that the population with ġilda sensittiva is close to 40%, while xi dokumenti jissuġġerixxu that as many as 68.4% of people self-report ġilda sensittiva. Either way, it is a common ġilda concern that can affect any gender, age, ġilda type or ġilda tone.

X’tista’ tkun fil-fatt il-ġilda sensittiva?

Ġilda sensittiva is a lay term rather than a medical diagnosis. It is generally used for ġilda with reduced tolerance to kożmetiċi and personal care products. In stħarriġ at least 40% of people report ġilda sensittiva. But that is not the whole story. People who self-diagnose ġilda sensittiva may have a cutaneous manifestation of ġilda disorders that benefit from specific care, such as eczema, contact dermatitis, rosacea, photodermatoses or other ġilda conditions. Our advice remains the same: consult a professjonist tas-saħħa.

X’inhi d-differenza bejn ġilda sensittiva u ġilda sensitizzata?

Ġilda sensittiva is more like a trait, while sensitized ġilda is more like a state. Ġilda sensittiva is not necessarily forever, but it tends to stay with you. Sensitized ġilda, on the other hand, can be a temporary period of extra sensitivity caused by a specific external aggression, such as a cosmetic your ġilda did not tolerate, hence l-importanza ta’ patch test, a sunburn, or a cosmetic procedure. If your ġilda is usually fine but feels sensitive after a specific event, it is probably sensitized ġilda. If sensitivity signs such as redness, tightness or itching appear often even without a clear aggression, you are probably dealing with ġilda sensittiva.

X’għandek tuża għal ġilda sensittiva?

With ġilda sensittiva, the question is often what not to do. Be cautious with products that are not specifically formulated for ġilda sensittiva. When possible, choose formulas made for ġilda sensittiva rather than formulas that claim to suit all ġilda types inkluż ġilda sensittiva. Pay attention to how your sensitivity changes, as stable periods and very reactive periods are both normal, and adjust your routine to your ġilda’s needs. A safe choice is minimal ġildacare focused on hydration, completed with a sunscreen that suits your ġilda type.

We love caring for ġilda sensittiva, and we have suggestions that may help. Read our posts with lovely ġildacare rutini u pariri għal ġilda sensittiva.