Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsContact DermatitisEczemaHives (Urticaria)Swelling (Angioedema)
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Contact Dermatitis
Eczema
Hives (Urticaria)
Swelling (Angioedema)
Various types of skin allergies can causerashes, itchiness, and inflammation. Skin allergies can have many triggers, including coming in contact with certain plants (like poison ivy or poison oak) and metals (like nickel) or having an allergic reaction to a medication or food.
However, not all rashes that itch are related to skin allergies. Insect bites and autoimmune conditions, along with fungal, bacterial, and viral infections, are othercauses of skin rashes.
Four common types of skin allergy include contact dermatitis, eczema, hives, and swelling.
This article reviews the most common skin rashes and shows pictures of each.
-aniaostudio- / Getty Images
Contact dermatitishappens when the skin comes into direct contact with a substance that causes a reaction. People react to a variety of chemicals, includingcosmetics, hair dye,metals such as nickel, topical medications, anddental materials.
An example of contact dermatitis is a rash frompoison ivy, which is extremely itchy and appears as blisters that ooze and crust after contact with plants of theToxicodendronfamily.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include a rash, blisters, itching and burning.The rash is typically located only in the area of contact with the offending substance. Common locations include the face, especially theeyelids, neck, hands, and feet.
Contact dermatitis to metals, such as in jewelry or snaps/buttons/zippers on clothing, commonly occurs on the neck, wrists/hands, piercing holes, and at the waistline.
Treatment
Contact dermatitis can bediagnosed through a patch test, though it can be difficult to determine the point of contact with the allergen.Contact dermatitis is treated in the following ways:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonen dermnetnz.org 2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonen dermnetnz.org 2023.
How to Prevent Skin Allergy Reactions
Eczema, also calledatopic dermatitis, frequently occurs before the age of 5 (although it may start in young adults) and can continue into adult life. This rash occurs most often where the skin flexes — inside the elbows, behind the knees, and in the front of the neck.
In infancy, the rash most often occurs on the cheeks and/or scalp. Older children and adults typically have the rash in the skin folds of the elbows and behind the knees, although it may also occur on the face, neck, hands, feet, and back.
The rash causes severe itching, redness, oozing, and flaky scales. These symptoms can be painful and can cause changes in skin color and blisters.There are oftenexcoriations, or areas of broken skin, from aggressive scratching.
In mild cases, eczema may be treated with ointments and moisturizers (emollients). With more severe eczema, a healthcare provider may recommend prescription medication, including topical steroids and/or antihistamines.
In rare cases, allergic triggers (including contact allergens and environmental exposures) may also be identified that upon removal may significantly improve rash symptoms.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoCourtesy ofDermNet NZ
Urticaria, commonly referred to as hives, is an itchy rash that can occur at any age. Urticaria can be acute (lasting less than six weeks) or chronic (lasting more than six weeks).
This rash appears as swelling of the surface of the skin into red- or skin-colored welts (called wheals) with clearly defined edges. These raised bumps can be of various shapes and sizes and last for minutes to hours, but not usually more than 48 hours. While it can be very itchy, a person with hives will generally not scratch enough to break the skin and cause bleeding.
Mild cases of hives will likely go away on their own in a few days. To reduce itching and swelling:
If your reaction is severe, especially if the swelling involves your throat, you may need an emergency shot of epinephrine (adrenaline) or steroids (like prednisone). Hives in the throat can block your airway, making it difficult to breathe.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet NZ
In cases where angioedema presents at the same time as hives, the swelling usually feels itchy. In cases where angioedema presents without urticaria, it can feel itchy or it may burn, sting, or cause a tingling sensation instead.
In rare cases, severe swelling around the throat can block the ability to breathe. This is a medical emergency known asanaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention and can be life-threatening.
Mild symptoms may not need treatment. Moderate to severe symptoms may need to be treated with the following:
Medicines used to treat angioedema include:
Seek medical help right away if throat swelling causes difficulty breathing.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Summary
Skin rashes can be alarming, particularly if you’re having an allergic reaction to a substance you encounter in your daily life. Because there are different types of rashes, it’s important to understand which type of rash you have and which treatment will work best.
If you do not have a history of skin allergies, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider to learn what is causing your rash so you can avoid it and prevent future reactions.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Skin allergy.Martin SF, Rustemeyer T, Thyssen JP.Recent advances in understanding and managing contact dermatitis.F1000Res. 2018;7:810. doi:10.12688/f1000research.13499.1American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: contact dermatitis tips for managing.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Eczema.Maliyar K, Sibbald C, Pope E, Sibbald G.Diagnosis and management of atopic dermatitis: A review.Adv Skin Wound Care. 2018;31(12):538-550. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000547414.38888.8dMedline Plus.Hives.American Academy of Dermatology Association:Hives: diagnosis and treatment.Medline Plus.Angioedema.Kanani A, Betschel SD, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(S2):59. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0288-zAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.Additional ReadingSchaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(11):717-724.Schneider L, Tilles S, Lio P, et al.Atopic dermatitis: A practice parameter update 2012.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013;131(2):295-299.e27. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2012.12.672
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Skin allergy.Martin SF, Rustemeyer T, Thyssen JP.Recent advances in understanding and managing contact dermatitis.F1000Res. 2018;7:810. doi:10.12688/f1000research.13499.1American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: contact dermatitis tips for managing.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Eczema.Maliyar K, Sibbald C, Pope E, Sibbald G.Diagnosis and management of atopic dermatitis: A review.Adv Skin Wound Care. 2018;31(12):538-550. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000547414.38888.8dMedline Plus.Hives.American Academy of Dermatology Association:Hives: diagnosis and treatment.Medline Plus.Angioedema.Kanani A, Betschel SD, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(S2):59. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0288-zAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.Additional ReadingSchaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(11):717-724.Schneider L, Tilles S, Lio P, et al.Atopic dermatitis: A practice parameter update 2012.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013;131(2):295-299.e27. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2012.12.672
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Skin allergy.Martin SF, Rustemeyer T, Thyssen JP.Recent advances in understanding and managing contact dermatitis.F1000Res. 2018;7:810. doi:10.12688/f1000research.13499.1American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: contact dermatitis tips for managing.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Eczema.Maliyar K, Sibbald C, Pope E, Sibbald G.Diagnosis and management of atopic dermatitis: A review.Adv Skin Wound Care. 2018;31(12):538-550. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000547414.38888.8dMedline Plus.Hives.American Academy of Dermatology Association:Hives: diagnosis and treatment.Medline Plus.Angioedema.Kanani A, Betschel SD, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(S2):59. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0288-zAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Skin allergy.
Martin SF, Rustemeyer T, Thyssen JP.Recent advances in understanding and managing contact dermatitis.F1000Res. 2018;7:810. doi:10.12688/f1000research.13499.1
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: contact dermatitis tips for managing.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Eczema.
Maliyar K, Sibbald C, Pope E, Sibbald G.Diagnosis and management of atopic dermatitis: A review.Adv Skin Wound Care. 2018;31(12):538-550. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000547414.38888.8d
Medline Plus.Hives.
American Academy of Dermatology Association:Hives: diagnosis and treatment.
Medline Plus.Angioedema.
Kanani A, Betschel SD, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(S2):59. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0288-z
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: When to seek medical treatment.
Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(11):717-724.Schneider L, Tilles S, Lio P, et al.Atopic dermatitis: A practice parameter update 2012.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013;131(2):295-299.e27. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2012.12.672
Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2017;95(11):717-724.
Schneider L, Tilles S, Lio P, et al.Atopic dermatitis: A practice parameter update 2012.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013;131(2):295-299.e27. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2012.12.672
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