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Allergy & Asthma Advocate: Spring 2004
Skin allergies: When should you see an allergist/immunologist Does your skin have these three symptoms: it itches, it itches, it itches? Then you should see an allergist/immunologist. Regardless of how your skin appears, dry patches, red splotches or irritating bumps, if it itches then you can find some answers and relief by seeing an allergist/immunologist. One of the most common skin diseases from childhood to adulthood is called eczema or atopic dermatitis. This is often referred to as “the itch that rashes.” Little bumps on the cheeks of infants and dry patches around elbows and knees of children are common. Approaching adolescence and into adulthood the rash flares in the folds of the arms or behind the knees. Adults can have bad hand and scalp issues as well. Another common itchy rash is called urticaria, commonly known as hives, welts or red blotches that suddenly appear, itch locally, quickly migrate anywhere on your skin, and then completely disappear. Some swelling of your skin may also occur. If the rash resolves completely after a few episodes, then the cause may have been an illness or something you encountered. If hives appear immediately after ingesting certain foods, then you may be allergic to a certain type of food. Medications causing hives should be stopped and avoided. A physician should assess urticaria if it continues for 4-6 weeks because it is then considered chronic. Chronic urticaria may be associated with a chronic disease and lab tests can help rule out these diseases. Treatment of urticaria is often successful with oral antihistamines that control the itch and recurrence of the rash. Avoidance of triggers will also help. Severe flare-ups may require taking steroids, which are anti-inflammatory hormones that quench the rash. Seeing an allergist/immunologist when you are having an outbreak would be helpful in diagnosing urticaria. The final type of itchy rash that is allergic in nature and frequently encountered, is contact dermatitis. It appears as itchy bumps or blisters, dry patches or changes in skin color, similar sometimes to the appearance of atopic dermatitis. Contact dermatitis appears in areas of the skin that have come in contact with an allergenic compound. These compounds can be in detergents, cosmetics, creams, metals or industrial materials. Allergy to a compound can develop anytime in life. Hand irritation, cracking and dryness can occur from chemicals handled at home or work. Nickel allergy is the most common metal to cause contact dermatitis and can appear on skin in contact with jewelry or metal snaps on clothes. Upper eyelid rashes can occur in women who wear nail polish and rub their eyes, but can also occur from other types of chemicals transferred from fingers to eyelids. Allergist/immunologists can place patch tests on your back that contain compounds causing contact allergies to determine which allergen caused the rash. Treatment includes avoiding contact with the allergen and treating the skin with anti-inflammatory medications. Antihistamines can help curb the itch temporarily. If you develop any itchy, persistent rash that does not go away with conventional treatment, seek the advice of an allergist/immunologist to assess and treat the problem.
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© 1996-2008 · All Rights Reserved · American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology |
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Itchiness is worst at night and the more that you scratch the worse the rash gets. Foods ingested and allergens inhaled from the environment are often triggers. An allergist/immunologist can clarify these triggers by skin testing for food and environmental allergens. The skin can be treated with anti-inflammatory ointments and protected with emollients, which are put on the skin to allow it to rehydrate and heal. Sometimes antibiotics are required to help the skin heal if the rash is severe. It can also help to take anti-histamines that may control the itch and prevent the rash from getting worse.