Skin Allergy: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Prevention

Red, itchy and bumpy skin is painful, irritating and embarrassing. This can happen due to a skin allergy when certain allergens come in contact with the human skin and cause reactions. The severity of these allergies varies from person to person and range from minor irritation to anaphylaxis.

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What Is Skin Allergy?

A skin allergy occurs when there is irritation in the skin when the body’s immune system reacts with some foreign substance. This allergic reaction causes rash, redness, itching, bumps, burning, swelling and hives on the skin.

What Are the Types of Skin Allergies?

Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema

In this condition, the skin gets irritated, dry and itchy. Eczema is most common in children and can be caused due to environmental and genetic factors. Asthma, seasonal allergies and food allergies can also cause this skin allergy.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

This happens when something touches the skin and cause a reaction. For example, when jewellery made with nickel touches the skin, it causes reactions for some people. Another such example is the reaction due to poison ivy.

Urticaria

Urticaria happens when hives or raised bumps form on the skin due to allergic reactions. The bumps are often called wheals or welts. This condition is usually a result of food allergies.

Angioedema

In this condition, there is a swelling deep in the human skin. It usually happens on eyelids, throat and lips.

Signs and Symptoms of Skin Allergies

This section highlights the common symptoms of skin allergy. The signs and symptoms are as follows –

Rashes
Itching
Redness of skin
Raised bumps
Flaking or scaling of the skin
Cracked skin

What Causes Skin Allergies?

Some of the most common causes of skin allergy are –

Nickel
Bug sprays and sunscreens
Medications like anti-itching cream and antibiotics
Fragrances
Cleaning products
Plants like poison ivy
Latex
Chemicals

Who Are at Risk of Skin Allergies?

Children are more vulnerable to skin allergies than adults. Furthermore, individuals with a family history of allergies and asthma are more susceptible to skin allergies. People with asthma or other allergic conditions are at higher risk of skin allergies.

How to Diagnose Skin Allergies?

In order to diagnose the skin allergy, the doctor may –

Ask you questions about your skin, the symptoms and when the reactions happen.
Examine the skin. A doctor might check your nose, eyes, chest and throat to check for signs of allergy.
Recommend allergy tests like skin prick test, intradermal skin test, blood test, patch test and challenge test.

What Are the Treatments for Skin Allergies?

Treatments for skin allergies generally include two approaches –

If known, avoid the allergen.
Use certain creams, medicines and strategies, as prescribed by your doctor.

Below are the treatments for the different types of skin allergies in humans –

Eczema: Avoid scrubbing, scratching and rubbing the skin. Apart from that, Moisturise your skin several times a day. However, keep in mind that the lotion or ointment has no alcohol, dye or fragrance. Avoid putting lanolin or wool on the skin and use gentle shampoos and soaps.
Angioedema: Use antihistamine like Benadryl and carry medicines like EpiPen.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Scrub your skin with water and soap. Additionally, you can take cortisone and antihistamine medicines and use calamine lotion.
Urticaria: Take antihistamines such as Claritin and Benadryl, and you can also inject Omalizumab for reducing the symptoms.

Now, if you are wondering how to reduce skin allergy, you should try to find out the allergen causing the reactions. After that, avoiding it is the best way to prevent yourself from skin allergies. Potential allergens like soap, hair products, shower gels, lotions, makeup, and deodorants directly affect human skin. Medicines and certain foods also cause allergies like swellings and hives. In case of eczema, keep your skin moisturised.

Therefore, if you face any signs of skin allergy, consult with a medical professional and get the condition treated as soon as possible. Most of the time, swelling and hives happen together and, if not treated properly, might lead to life-threatening allergic reactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What does skin allergies look like?

In case you have a skin allergy, the skin becomes red, scratchy, bumpy, swollen or itchy.

What are the best ways for treating skin allergies?

The best ways for treating skin allergies are using hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, antihistamines, cold compresses and oatmeal baths.