What are skin allergies and how can I treat them?

Skin allergies typically occur when your skin comes in contact with an allergen that your skin deems as harmful to your body. Common symptoms include hives or rashes on your skin. For most people, the reaction occurs within 48 hours after the initial exposure. Other symptoms include: redness, swelling, blistering, and itching. Poison oak, ivy, and sumac are common perpetrators of skin allergies. Many people experience itchy skin that can be caused by dry skin or other factors that are not related to skin allergies. Here are a few of the most common skin allergies:

Eczema

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is common in young children and may continue into adulthood. Eczema occurs as a rash on the chest, cheeks, and scalp. Adults typically develop eczema in the skin folds of the elbows or knees.

Eczema is often red, flakes, oozes, blisters, and also has small bumps. This causes the person to scratch the rash, causing the rash to spread. Here are a few things you should do if you have eczema:

• Hydrate your skin often using moisturizers. Many doctors recommend the use of Keri lotion as it provides excellent moisture.
• Humidify dry air.
• Clip your fingernails to avoid scratching yourself at night.
• Use non-alkaline soaps.
• Wear gloves with washing dishes, try to minimize the amount of time your hands are wet.
• Never scratch your skin!
• Avoid the use of wool clothing or blankets.

Urticaria (Hives)

Urticaria (Hives) is another itchy rash that may occur at any age. This rash typically appears as raised red bumps of various shapes and sizes. It can be quite itchy for the individual and can cause swelling. If the rash begins to swell, it can be a serious condition that can be life threatening.

Urticaria can be caused by a number of different things. For some people it is caused by eating certain foods such as nuts, shellfish, chocolate, tomatoes, eggs, milk, and berries. Other people can contract urticaria from medications such as antibiotics, pain medications, dietary supplements, sedatives, vitamins, eye and ear drops, laxatives, herbal supplements, and arthritis medication.

Uticaria can be treated with antihistamines. The best method is to avoid whatever is causing uticaria. For those patients with severe symptoms, your doctor may give you an injection of epinephrine. Contact Dermatitis Contact dermatitis is another skin rash that is caused from skin irritation due to exposure to a chemical or contact with a foreign substance. Many people who have contact dermatitis contracted it from cosmetics, hair dye, metal, medication, and dental materials. You can also contract contact dermatitis from exposure to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

Typical symptoms of contact dermatitis include: red rash, blisters on the skin, raised red rash (hives), and itching and burning skin. Most people see the results of contact dermatitis almost immediately, but it can take up to 1-2 days to appear for other people. If you have contact dermatitis, it may take up to 4 weeks for it to completely resolve itself.

Most people with contact dermatitis do not require medical attention. Instead here are a few ways you can treat contact dermatitis at home:

• Wash the affected area with soap and cold water. This can remove or inactivate most of the offending substance, if it is done immediately after exposure.
• Apply a cold moist compress to areas of blistering. Apply the cold compress 3 times a day for 30 minutes at a time.
• Calamine lotion and cool oatmeal baths can also help to relieve the itching.
• Oral antihistamines such as Benadryl can relieve itching.
• Do not apply antihistamine lotion to the skin. This may cause the contact dermatitis to worsen.
• If you have a small case of contact dermatitis, you can apply hydrocortisone cream to the area.

If you are still unsure if you have one of the above skin allergies, you can contact your doctor for a skin test. Skins tests are used to diagnose hay fever, allergic asthma and skin allergies such as eczema. Before you have a skin test your doctor will go over detailed information about your medical history and suspected allergen. You will also have a physical examination done to search for other factors that could be causing the skin allergies to occur. Certain medications you are taking could be causing hives or other allergies so be sure to provide your doctor with a list of all the medications you are currently taking.

Skin Tests

There are 3 major types of skin tests: puncture, prick or scratch test, intradermal test, and patch test.

The puncture, prick or scratch test (percutaneous) test is the most commonly used test. Tiny drops of purified allergen are pricked or scratched into your skin's surface. Your doctor will then observe your skin to see if there are any reactions. Most people who need a skin test are found to be allergic to pollen, mold, dust mites, foods, insect venom, pet dander, and penicillin.

Intradermal test (intracutaneous) is when purified allergens are injected into the skin of your arm. Most doctors use this test if they suspect you are allergic to penicillin or insect venom. Patch test (epicutaneous) is when a patch containing an allergen is applied to you skin. Most patients who have a patch test done are allergic to latex, medications, fragrances, preservatives, metal, resins, and hair dyes.

You typically will receive the results of the test before you leave your doctors office. A positive skin test indicates what you are allergic to and your doctor will recommend treatment options. Skin tests are reliable for diagnosis allergies to substances such as: pet dander, dust mites, and pollen. Food allergies are harder to diagnose as they may require blood testing or other testing procedures.

You may experience some redness and itching after a skin test is done. This is common and will subside within a few hours. Avoid scratching the skin as this may cause the redness to spread. Most itching can be relieved with hydrocortisone cream.

Common Products used to treat Skin Allergies

If you are unsure of what products to use to treat your skin allergy, here are some recommendations:

Keri Lotion:

Keri lotion is fragrance-free, lanolin free and dye free. Doctors recommend this for patients with dry skin to help repair it to its normal state.

DermCare:

This is an all-natural product that works to control outbreaks and stop itching.

Hydrocortisone Cream:

Hydrocortisone cream provides a moisture base and helps relieve itching caused by most skin allergies. It also helps to reduce the redness of a rash.

Aveeno Cleansing Bar:

This is a non-alkaline soap that allows more of your natural skin's oils to remain in the skin. These oils can help prevent dry skin or damaged skin.

Eucerin:

Doctors also recommend Eucerin because it is lanolin-based moisturizer. It is helpful for replacing the lost moisture in dry skin and soothing to a rash.

Oatmeal baths:

An oatmeal bath has been proven to relieve itching for several hours. It also provides moisture to dry, irritated skin.

Antihistamine:

Antihistamines such as Benadryl provide relief for itching and help reduce allergy symptoms such as: sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and itching skin.

Potential skin allergens can be found practically everywhere from perfumes to outdoors on a hike. Protecting your skin is often overlooked by many people. The skin is the largest organ on your body and deserves daily treatment to remain healthy and protect your body against invaders.

Many people are exposed to skin allergens at their work. Certain jobs where people can contract skin problems include: food production, construction, manufacturing, printing, metal plating, machine tool operation, engine service, farming, forestry, leather processing, and landscaping.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does require your workplace to provide a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each chemical you may come in contact with an how to treat yourself if you do.

To prevent your skin from potential allergens, try the following tips:

• Wear gloves, aprons, and protective clothing to keep your skin from coming in contact with foods, chemicals, grease, and oil.
• Always change out of your work clothes when you come home to avoid spreading chemicals to furniture, carpets, or other members in your home.
• Wash your hands often and use lotions or cream to avoid dry, cracked skin.
• Know what chemicals you may come in contact with at your workplace and how to treat your skin if you do.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke in your work area.
• Apply sunscreen if you work outdoors. Wear sunglasses, a hat and a shirt with long sleeves to avoid sunburns.

If you suspect you may have a serious skin allergy, contact your doctor immediately. Certain skin conditions can lead to long-lasting problems that can be serious. Dry, cracked skin can contract airborne allergens that may lead to itching and burning. Take necessary precautions to avoid skin allergens and take good care of your skin by applying lotion daily and wearing sunscreen if you are outside.