Causes of Skin Allergy & Precautions to be Taken .

What is an allergy?

Allergy is an abnormal immune response produced by the body when it comes in contact with any foreign substance like pollen grains, dust, food, fur etc. It is also known as hypersensitivity.

There are three common types of skin allergies which include Eczema, hives and contact dermatitis.

Eczema

Eczema is also called as atopic dermatitis. The percent of children affected by eczema is around 10-20% A small number of adults about 1 to 3 are also affected. The most commonly observed symptom of eczema is dry, red, irritated, inflamed and itchy skin. The cause of eczema can be environmental or genetic factors. When an infection develops, the skin is filled with small, fluid-filled bumps that discharge a clear or yellowish liquid. People suffering from eczema often have a family history of allergies. Eczema is often triggered by foods, cosmetics, soaps, wool, dust mites, mold, pollen, dog or cat dander, dry climate etc. People with mild eczema can be treated with ointments like petroleum jelly and moisturizers. Daily application of petroleum jelly and moisturizers is recommended for curing eczema. People with eczema should avoid harsh cleansers, stay hydrated always, wear gloves in cold weather, and avoid wearing materials such as wool that could cause irritation to the skin. The FDA approved medicine crisaborole can be administered to 2 years old and above children. Dupilumab injection is available for the patients of 18 years of age and above if they are suffering from severe eczema.

Hives​​

The other term for Hives is urticaria .In urticaria , the person gets red wheals on his/her body.The condition is called as acute urticaria if it lasts for no more than six weeks, and chronic urticaria if it lasts for more than six weeks. Acute urticaria is most commonly caused by exposure to an allergen like food, medicine, insect stings or bites etc. or by an infection. The cause of chronic urticaria is not known. The best treatment of hives is to avoid the substances which trigger the allergic reaction. Antihistamines are the commonly prescribed class of medicines available either as over the counter or on prescription for treatment for hives. Severe urticaria can be treated with drug named prednisone, which can reduce the severity of the symptoms. Epinephrine is the medicine which is used if a person develops symptoms like breathing difficulty or swelling of lips and tongue.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis develops when your body is exposed to an irritant or an allergen. Symptoms include a skin rash, blisters, itching and burning sensation. The cause of contact dermatitis are use of soaps, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, shampoos excessive exposure to water, exposure to metals such as nickel, adhesives, nail polish, topical medications, latex gloves. The condition is called as photo allergic contact dermatitis when the irritants and allergens cause a skin reaction only after exposure to the sun. Substances present in shaving lotion, sunscreen and some perfumes often act as irritants that develop contact dermatitis on exposure to the sun.What is an allergy?Allergy is an abnormal immune response produced by the body when it comes in contact with any foreign substance like pollen grains, dust, food, fur etc. It is also known as hypersensitivity.There are three common types of skin allergies which include Eczema, hives and contact dermatitis.EczemaEczema is also called as atopic dermatitis. The percent of children affected by eczema is around 10-20% A small number of adults about 1 to 3 are also affected. The most commonly observed symptom of eczema is dry, red, irritated, inflamed and itchy skin. The cause of eczema can be environmental or genetic factors. When an infection develops, the skin is filled with small, fluid-filled bumps that discharge a clear or yellowish liquid. People suffering from eczema often have a family history of allergies. Eczema is often triggered by foods, cosmetics, soaps, wool, dust mites, mold, pollen, dog or cat dander, dry climate etc. People with mild eczema can be treated with ointments like petroleum jelly and moisturizers. Daily application of petroleum jelly and moisturizers is recommended for curing eczema. People with eczema should avoid harsh cleansers, stay hydrated always, wear gloves in cold weather, and avoid wearing materials such as wool that could cause irritation to the skin. The FDA approved medicine crisaborole can be administered to 2 years old and above children. Dupilumab injection is available for the patients of 18 years of age and above if they are suffering from severe eczema.HivesThe other term for Hives is urticaria .In urticaria , the person gets red wheals on his/her body.The condition is called as acute urticaria if it lasts for no more than six weeks, and chronic urticaria if it lasts for more than six weeks. Acute urticaria is most commonly caused by exposure to an allergen like food, medicine, insect stings or bites etc. or by an infection. The cause of chronic urticaria is not known. The best treatment of hives is to avoid the substances which trigger the allergic reaction. Antihistamines are the commonly prescribed class of medicines available either as over the counter or on prescription for treatment for hives. Severe urticaria can be treated with drug named prednisone, which can reduce the severity of the symptoms. Epinephrine is the medicine which is used if a person develops symptoms like breathing difficulty or swelling of lips and tongue.Contact DermatitisContact dermatitis develops when your body is exposed to an irritant or an allergen. Symptoms include a skin rash, blisters, itching and burning sensation. The cause of contact dermatitis are use of soaps, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, shampoos excessive exposure to water, exposure to metals such as nickel, adhesives, nail polish, topical medications, latex gloves. The condition is called as photo allergic contact dermatitis when the irritants and allergens cause a skin reaction only after exposure to the sun. Substances present in shaving lotion, sunscreen and some perfumes often act as irritants that develop contact dermatitis on exposure to the sun.