Skin allergies are also very common to occur in both the summer and winter months. Here are some things you can do to easily identify and get rid of skin allergies so that they don’t flare up. If they do, don’t delay your visit to an allergy clinic.
Skin Allergies
Skin allergy is also known as dermatitis. It is basically the acting up of the skin, whenever an allergen comes into contact with the surface of the skin and it causes the immune system to defend your body against this foreign invasion.
This can lead to a couple of issues, like the appearance of patches, redness, and prolonged itchiness on the skin.
Types Of Skin Allergies
There are several types of dermatitis and they are as follows:
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition which is caused by allergens and the main identification of it is the dryness and itchiness on the skin. There is no swelling or raising of the skin, but your skin will have patches and bumps, which can be red and itchy.
The most common example of atopic dermatitis is eczema, a skin condition, caused by allergies, in which your skin can become extremely itchy and dry, to the point of discomfort.
Urticaria
Urticaria is commonly known as hives and this is a very common allergic reaction as well. It can be evident as a symptom of any other type of allergy or it can be caused by contact with an allergen.
Urticaria occurs with the formation of large welts and raised bumps on the skin and they can be extremely painful and itchy. They can appear all over the body, but the most common places are the legs, arms, and chest.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is different from atopic dermatitis because the former is caused by contact of an allergen with the skin. This can be anything like metal or any specific type of clothing as well.
This can lead to itchiness and the formation of red bumps on the skin, which can be filled with pus as well. This allergic reaction occurs when you wear a lot of jewelry and the metal reacts with the skin very violently.
Angioedema
Angioedema is the swelling of the skin. This can also be a symptom accompanying different types of allergies like pollen or dust allergy and even rhinitis or sinusitis, where parts of the face can get extremely swollen and it can also be painful at times.
Usually, swelling occurs near the nose on the cheeks, eyes, and even the lips. Aside from the face, swelling can also occur on parts of your arms as well as your throat. It goes away after some time when the body is no longer in contact with the allergen.
Symptoms Of Skin Allergies
The easiest and most effective way to identify a skin allergy is to look at the symptoms. Here are some very common symptoms of general skin allergies.
Scaly Patches
You will itch a lot and there will be red, dry, and scaly patches on the skin. Mostly, they will occur near the bend of your elbows, knees, all over your arms and legs, and in between fingers. These patches can also occur on the face. If these patches are just dry and itchy, then it’s most probably eczema.
Swelling
There can be swelling on the skin as well. It might look like an insect bite, but it won’t be itchy. It will be very red and raised. If you try to pinch it or press it down, then it will become white for a while, before turning red again. This is the common symptom of urticaria or hives.
Red Bumps
The red bumps and patches on the skin can also be filled, most of the time. If you scratch them a lot, they can bleed and it can cause severe infections on the skin. This is why these patches should never be scratched to the point of bleeding.
The easiest way to identify bumps that are filled is to look at the bump. If it’s raised in a circle and you press on it, it will spring back. This means that the patches are filled with some sort of liquid.
Swollen Face
If parts of your face are swollen to the point where you can’t even function, then this is also a very alarming symptom of skin allergies. Your eye may be completely shut, because of the swelling. Your lips might be double or triple the size of your actual lips and it can be hard to open your mouth and chew.
If there’s a lot of swelling and pressure around your nose, then it can cause breathing difficulties and severe headaches as well.
Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Diagnosis
Here is how you can an allergy doctor Manassas diagnoses skin allergies:
A skin test can be done to diagnose skin allergies. A sample of your skin might be taken and it can be tested for allergies, to narrow down exactly what kind of allergen is causing it.
A patch test is also effective in diagnosing an allergy on the skin and what allergen is causing it. It’s done by introducing different allergens on your skin and seeing the response of your immune system, through symptoms.
Prevention And Treatment Of Skin Allergies
Now that you know about the diagnosis of skin allergies, here are some prevention and treatment options:
Avoid The Allergen
The best preventative measure that you can take, to ensure that allergies don’t get severe, is to avoid the allergen. Once you know what type of allergen or trigger is causing your skin to act up, it’s best to stay away from it.
The trigger can be anything, from jewelry made of different metals, insects, or microscopic things in nature, like pollen and dust.
Good Hygiene
Another prevention technique is having good overall hygiene. Washing your body every day, especially after you come home from the outside, is very important.
Also, make sure to wear breathable and fresh clothes after a shower, because it will feel good against your skin and it won’t cause any rashes either.
Alleviating The Symptoms
As for treating allergies, you can only ever treat them by alleviating the symptoms. There are allergy medicines available and you can have them handy, just in case, so that the reaction doesn’t get worse.
Antihistamines
You can also go for antihistamines because they will alleviate the pain and swelling from the inside and your symptoms will be gone in no time. It’s a great backup option to have if you don’t have your allergy medicine on hand.
Moisturizing The Skin
Keeping your skin moisturized will greatly alleviate the itchy sensations and it will also prevent the skin from getting too dry.
Specific Lotions
There are targeted medicines and lotions available for people who suffer from eczema and rashes. You can use these medicines when taking a bath and let your skin soak in all of the goodness, and you can apply topical creams on the rashes and patches, to help with itching and redness.
Conclusion
Skin allergies are caused by a number of things and now you know exactly what they are and how you can treat them as well. Go to an allergy specialist Germantown for diagnosis and treatment if you feel itchy skin or have red patches on the skin.