Skin Allergy
Skin allergy is a common type of allergy that may be caused by skin contact allergens or food allergens that can go into the bloodstream.
When a person is inflicted with skin allergy, there is always an indication that is visible on the person's skin. A small red spot on a specific area or a broader part of the body, depending on the type of skin allergen that has affected the person's skin is visible.
A small spot may indicate that it is a skin contact allergen that triggered the skin allergy. It is advisable to avoid contact or touching the suspected allergen carrier or substance. Broad skin swelling and/or redness may indicate that the allergen is present in the bloodstream. It may be caused by an allergen in food or in the medication that the person is taking.
Symptoms
- itching skin
- redness of a spot or a broad area on the skin
- swelling of the affected area
- irritated skin
- headache
- vomiting
- nausea
- palpitations
- difficulty breathing
In some cases there are people who are also inflicted with fever if the allergy is so severe. It is best to take the patient to the nearest hospital for testing and medication.
Treatment
There are various treatments for skin allergy that range from topical cream and ointments to oral medications to injectables. Doctors may prescribe a mixture of cream with anti-histamine and anti-itch to prevent the skin from irritation and redness.
Topical corticosteroids are good for skin allergy treatment and they may be one of the following:
- betamethasone
- clobetasol
- desonide
- clobetasone
- deoxymethasone
- dexamethasone
- difluocortolone
- flumethasone
- fluocinolone
Herbal skin treatments may also be used but make sure to consult with your doctor regarding these treatments.
Prevention
As many other types of allergies, skin allergy occurrence can be avoided by avoiding the substances or foods that carry the triggering allergens. And to determine which foods and substances are high-risk, it is best to undergo allergy test.
You may opt to undergo skin prick or patch allergy test to help you identify the foods and substances that may contain the allergens you are allergic to. Knowing what to avoid is essential key to prevent skin allergy attacks.
Lastly, it is also important to have your topical medications and oral treatments at hand in case of sudden skin allergy attack. This will help you alleviate the redness and itching on your skin while you're on your way to the doctor for a real treatment.
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