Are you wondering if you have a new skin allergy? There may be a few reasons why this is happening.
It’s something most of us have experienced at one time or another: itchiness, redness, or scaling on our skin, seemingly out of nowhere. Could these be the symptoms of a skin allergy? And if so, why are these symptoms appearing now when they never have before? That’s exactly what this article will explore.
What Are Skin Allergies?
If your skin comes in contact with an allergy trigger, it will have a reaction and display symptoms. Allergy triggers are things that your immune system mistakenly identifies as dangerous, causing your body to react. Common allergy triggers for skin allergies include eating certain foods or touching certain things like specific plants, animals, or dust.
The most common type of skin allergy is contact dermatitis (also called atopic dermatitis). This occurs when your skin comes in contact with an irritant that triggers the reaction, such as certain laundry detergents, latex, poison ivy, or poison oak. Common symptoms of this type of skin allergy include:
- Intense itching
- Swelling
- Redness
- Hives
- Scaliness
- Oozing blisters
- A burning or stinging sensation
This condition is also called eczema. Most people with this type of skin allergy experience a sudden onset of symptoms, as well as periods of relative calm and recurring flare-ups.
Can I Develop New Skin Allergies?
In many cases, people with skin allergies have a family history of allergies. They may also have seasonal allergies or asthma. Although skin allergies typically develop during childhood, it is not unusual to have new allergies develop as an adult. Because your immune system changes constantly, it is possible to develop new allergies at any age. Even things that you have been in contact with thousands of times in the past can become an allergy trigger.
What Should I Do If I Have a Skin Allergy?
Thankfully, you do not need to resign yourself to a life plagued by uncomfortable skin allergy symptoms. Your allergist can help you identify your allergies and treat them.
The first step to diagnosing skin allergies is to meet with your allergist. He or she will ask you questions about your symptoms and when the symptoms developed. If you currently have visible skin allergy symptoms, your allergist will examine them. Testing, such as blood work or skin prick tests, can be done to identify the allergy triggers.
How Are Skin Allergies Treated?
Once the symptoms and triggers have been identified, your allergist can help you create a plan to reduce skin allergy flare-ups and manage your symptoms. Anti-itch creams that contain corticosteroids can help greatly. For severe cases, an oral steroid may be recommended to suppress the immune response. Your allergist may also recommend immunotherapy (such as allergy shots) or oral medication to treat the underlying allergic response.
Furthermore, after your allergy triggers are identified, you can work to avoid those triggers as much as possible. Common solutions to avoiding allergy triggers include:
- Using fragrance-free and dye-free hand soaps, laundry detergents, lotions, and dish soaps
- Staying well hydrated and using a room humidifier in the winter
- Washing your hands immediately after coming in from outside, leaving your workplace, or coming into contact with an allergy trigger
- Keeping a journal to track your allergy symptoms, what might have triggered them, and what helped to relieve them
To learn more about why you could be developing new skin allergies and to schedule an appointment with our experienced allergist, we welcome you to contact us today at West River ENT & Allergy.
