Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptoms of Skin AllergiesWhat Causes Skin Allergies?Types of Skin AllergiesHow Are Skin Allergies Diagnosed?How Are Skin Allergies Treated?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms of Skin Allergies
What Causes Skin Allergies?
Types of Skin Allergies
How Are Skin Allergies Diagnosed?
How Are Skin Allergies Treated?
A skin allergy is an allergic reaction to a typically harmless substance, such as wool, pollen, soap, or plants. The immune system reacts to this trigger and attacks to remove it from the body.
The result is an allergic skin rash, which tends to bered and itchy. Skin allergies encompass a number of allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis,contact dermatitis, andhives.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment of skin allergies.
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A skin rash is the primary symptom of an allergic skin reaction. The rash may start as an itching sensation, a raised bump, or redness, and you might ultimately experience any combination of:
Different types of skin allergies present with telltale symptoms and patterns to help determine the type.
Reactions can change over time. While you might expect to develop similar symptoms if you come in contact with the trigger again, you may develop different symptoms after another exposure.
Some people have very obvious triggers, while other people have difficulty determining the source of the problem and need to undergo allergy testing.
The underlying cause of a skin allergy is still under investigation, but new research suggests that some forms of skin allergies may be due to a defect in skin barrier function in infancy.
One review suggests that both genetic and environmental factors can contribute to damage of the outer layer of the skin, known as the stratum corneum. This may set the stage for the development of eczema and other skin allergies later in life.
There are a few different types of allergic skin conditions, and each presents in a specific way.
Eczema
Eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis, this skin condition most frequently starts in the first couple years of life, but it can first appear in an adolescent or adult.
In older children, adolescents, and adults, the rash most commonly occurs in the flexural areas (behind the knees and in elbow creases), though it may also occur on eyebrows, hands, neck, and face.
Scratching and rubbing of the skin may result in an exaggeration of normal skin markings and abnormal pigmentation calledlichenification.
An Overview of Eczema
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitisis most commonly due to an irritant, but an allergic reaction is also possible. Inflammation of the skin results after contact between an allergic trigger substance and your skin.
While the rash can look very similar to eczema, the rash normally only occurs where the skin has had contact with the offending agent. The face, eyelids, neck, hands, and feet are commonly affected areas.
While poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, nickel in jewelry, cosmetics, antibiotic creams, rubber, and chemicals on shoes can also lead to this skin allergy.
Hives
Urticaria, the medical term for hives, is an itchy rash that can indicate a significant underlying medical condition. Hives are raised pink or red bumps that appear in various sizes and shapes and have pale centers.
Hives may quickly change location, size, and shape and may or may not itch. The itching from hives doesn’t usually cause a person to scratch enough to break the skin.
Allergens that may cause hives include:
Hives are not contagious but may be a warning sign of a serious allergic reaction that may lead toanaphylaxis—a medical emergency that must be treated with an injection of epinephrine.
Angioedema
Commonly associated with hives,angioedemais a swelling that might involve the lips, eyes, and hands and feet, and can preclude anaphylaxis.
Patients describe angioedema as an abnormal stinging or tingling sensation.
Angioedema of the face or neck indicates a risk of a severe allergy that leads to significant breathing problems. Seek immediate care for any breathing problems or significant worsening of symptoms.
If you have a rash that may be due to an allergy, your healthcare provider may refer you to a dermatologist or an allergist to determine the trigger. At your appointment, your healthcare provider will examine your skin and ask questions about the products you use, such as detergents, soaps, andskincare products.
The patch consists of a variety of allergens, which are applied in little dots on an adhesive sheet. Each patch is applied to the person’s back and remains there for 48 hours. During this time, it is important not to get the patches wet, so showers, baths, and excessive sweating need to be avoided.
After 48 hours, the patches will be removed at the healthcare provider’s office. Before doing so, the location of each patch will be marked with an indelible surgical marker. This will provide the healthcare provider with a reference when you return to the office for a final evaluation.
Patch testing is painless and, unlike allergy tests, does not involve needles of any sort. Children can be tested once they are old enough to under.
Contact dermatitis and eczema are generally not medical emergencies. Prescription medications used to treat skin allergy include topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and relieve itching. These drugs, which come as ointments or creams, include:
Hydrocortisone, which is in the same category, is available over-the-counter (OTC).
It is also important to keep irritated skin protected with a moisturizer or barrier, such as petroleum jelly, to avoid contact with irritants. You should also avoid hot showers or baths.
Summary
6 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.The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Skin allergies.Eichenfield LF, Ahluwalia J, Waldman A, et al.Current guidelines for the evaluation and management of atopic dermatitis: A comparison of the Joint Task Force Practice Parameter and American Academy of Dermatology guidelines.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2017;139(4S):S49-S57. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.01.009Smith AR, Knaysi G, Wilson JM, Wisniewski JA.The skin as a route of allergen exposure: part I. Immune components and mechanisms.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2017;17(1):6. doi:10.1007/s11882-017-0674-5Bernstein JA, Lang DM, Khan DA, et al.The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic urticaria: 2014 update.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2014;133(5):1270-1277. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2014.02.036Siegfried EC, Hebert AA.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.J Clin Med. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884Fonacier L, Bernstein DI, Pacheco K, et al.Contact dermatitis: a practice parameter-update 2015.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2015;3(3 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2015.02.009Additional ReadingTilles SA.Allergic Skin Disease and the Practicing Allergist: Growing Unmet Need, New Science, and New Treatments.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2017;37(1):xiii-xiv. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2016.10.002
6 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.The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Skin allergies.Eichenfield LF, Ahluwalia J, Waldman A, et al.Current guidelines for the evaluation and management of atopic dermatitis: A comparison of the Joint Task Force Practice Parameter and American Academy of Dermatology guidelines.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2017;139(4S):S49-S57. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.01.009Smith AR, Knaysi G, Wilson JM, Wisniewski JA.The skin as a route of allergen exposure: part I. Immune components and mechanisms.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2017;17(1):6. doi:10.1007/s11882-017-0674-5Bernstein JA, Lang DM, Khan DA, et al.The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic urticaria: 2014 update.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2014;133(5):1270-1277. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2014.02.036Siegfried EC, Hebert AA.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.J Clin Med. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884Fonacier L, Bernstein DI, Pacheco K, et al.Contact dermatitis: a practice parameter-update 2015.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2015;3(3 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2015.02.009Additional ReadingTilles SA.Allergic Skin Disease and the Practicing Allergist: Growing Unmet Need, New Science, and New Treatments.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2017;37(1):xiii-xiv. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2016.10.002
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.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Skin allergies.Eichenfield LF, Ahluwalia J, Waldman A, et al.Current guidelines for the evaluation and management of atopic dermatitis: A comparison of the Joint Task Force Practice Parameter and American Academy of Dermatology guidelines.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2017;139(4S):S49-S57. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.01.009Smith AR, Knaysi G, Wilson JM, Wisniewski JA.The skin as a route of allergen exposure: part I. Immune components and mechanisms.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2017;17(1):6. doi:10.1007/s11882-017-0674-5Bernstein JA, Lang DM, Khan DA, et al.The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic urticaria: 2014 update.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2014;133(5):1270-1277. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2014.02.036Siegfried EC, Hebert AA.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.J Clin Med. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884Fonacier L, Bernstein DI, Pacheco K, et al.Contact dermatitis: a practice parameter-update 2015.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2015;3(3 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2015.02.009
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Skin allergies.
Eichenfield LF, Ahluwalia J, Waldman A, et al.Current guidelines for the evaluation and management of atopic dermatitis: A comparison of the Joint Task Force Practice Parameter and American Academy of Dermatology guidelines.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2017;139(4S):S49-S57. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2017.01.009
Smith AR, Knaysi G, Wilson JM, Wisniewski JA.The skin as a route of allergen exposure: part I. Immune components and mechanisms.Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2017;17(1):6. doi:10.1007/s11882-017-0674-5
Bernstein JA, Lang DM, Khan DA, et al.The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic urticaria: 2014 update.J Allergy Clin Immunol.2014;133(5):1270-1277. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2014.02.036
Siegfried EC, Hebert AA.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.J Clin Med. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884
Fonacier L, Bernstein DI, Pacheco K, et al.Contact dermatitis: a practice parameter-update 2015.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2015;3(3 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2015.02.009
Tilles SA.Allergic Skin Disease and the Practicing Allergist: Growing Unmet Need, New Science, and New Treatments.Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2017;37(1):xiii-xiv. doi:10.1016/j.iac.2016.10.002
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