The list of things your body can have an allergic reaction to is long: cats and dogs, certain jewelry, different types of soap, specific plants; all can cause an overreaction of your immune system, sometimes in the form of a rash.
Just a quick review: An allergic reaction occurs when your body perceives a harmless substance, such as certain foods, pollen, or pet dander, as a threat. This causes your immune system to overreact in an attempt to keep you safe from that substance, although it is harmless, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI). Allergic reactions not only affect the skin, but they can also affect the nose, throat, lungs, ears, sinuses, and the lining of the stomach, according to the AAAAI.
But allergy rashes can be uncomfortable and shouldn’t be ignored, according to experts. Below you will find information on three common types of allergic rashes: eczema, contact dermatitis, and hives, including treatment options and advice on what to do if the rash does not go away after treating it.
Atopic dermatitis
- Itchy skin
- Sensitive skin
- Dry skin
- Inflamed skin
- Discolored skin
- Rough, scaly, or leathery patches of skin
- Crusting
- Oozing
- Areas of swollen skin
Some people with eczema will experience all of the above symptoms, while others will experience only one or two, according to the NEA. “Eczema [presents as a] persistent rash,” Ronald Purcell, MD, an allergist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells Health, adding that it is often caused by a food allergy. But food isn’t the only trigger: “Seasonal allergies could certainly cause an exacerbation of eczema,” Kanwaljit Brar, MD, an allergist with advanced dermatology training at NYU Langone, tells Health.
Where the eczema flare-up occurs may depend on the patient’s age, according to the AAAAI, which states that the rash usually forms on the knees, elbows, cheeks, and scalp in children, but it can also occur in children. the face, wrists, and neck. of adults, in addition to the elbows and knees.
Avoiding triggers is key to preventing eczema flare-ups, according to the AAAAI. There are several treatments available for eczema patients, and common options include topical moisturizers that decrease itching and topical steroids, which are anti-inflammatory medications that can treat the rash caused by eczema.
Allergic contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis is another allergy-related rash that, as you probably guessed, is caused by contact with an allergen. Several triggers can cause allergic contact dermatitis, including nickel shampoos, makeup products, and jewelry, says Dr. Purcell. Poison ivy, along with certain fragrances and preservatives, are some of the leading causes of allergic contact dermatitis, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
You may not see a reaction immediately after coming into contact with the product that contains the allergen. In fact, it may take several days after exposure for a rash to develop. Dr. Brar adds that contact dermatitis is often caused by something you wouldn’t consider when thinking of a potential list of allergens, such as “bedding, new furniture in the home, a new pair of shoes, household cleaner. that you are using for your dishes “.
There is also a rare form of contact dermatitis that does not require direct skin contact to cause an outbreak, says Dr. Brar. Called airborne contact dermatitis, it occurs when plant resins are aerosolized and can be caused by sunflowers, ragweed, and goldenrod. Airborne contact dermatitis can cause a rash on the face, neck, and eyelids, says Dr. Brar.
Contact dermatitis is common, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and people with chronic skin problems, such as sensitive skin, may be more prone to the condition. Symptoms of contact dermatitis include
- Red rash
- Blistering, oozing, or swollen rash
- Stinging or burning rash
- Hive-like rash
- Painful rash
- Itchy rash
As with atopic dermatitis, avoiding triggers, if you can identify them, is key to managing allergic contact dermatitis. Other treatments, according to the Cleveland Clinic, include topical steroids, oral steroids, and in severe cases, immunosuppressive medications, which might be recommended if multiple attempts to cure oral steroid contact dermatitis fail.
Hives
Environmental allergens like cats and dogs can cause hives, which appear as slightly raised, red, itchy bumps, says Dr. Purcell. “They are temporary; they disappear after the exposure is removed,” he adds. In addition to animals, hives can be caused when your body has an allergic reaction to certain foods and medications, according to MedlinePlus, a resource from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, which lists the following as potential triggers: pollen, insect bites, medications, animal dander, nuts, eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, and other foods. (FYI: Hives can be the result of causes other than allergens, including emotional stress and excessive perspiration, according to MedlinePlus.)
According to the ACAAI, the symptoms of hives are as follows:
- Raised itchy bumps that are skin-colored or red
- Blanching (meaning that, when pressure is applied, the center of the hive will turn white)
Treatment options for hives include antihistamines, steroids, an antibiotic called dapsone that can relieve swelling and redness, an injectable drug called omalizumab that treats chronic hives, and other anti-inflammatory medications, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). If you know that cats give you hives and you plan to visit a friend who has a cat, it might be worth considering taking an antihistamine before you get to the friend’s house, suggests Dr. Purcell. Avoiding the triggers that cause hives is also key to managing the condition, he adds.
When should you seek help from a medical professional?
Fortunately, allergy rashes can often be treated from the comfort of your home, and some may disappear as soon as the allergen is removed from your environment. Dr. Purcell says it’s important to see a doctor if your rash doesn’t respond to what should work, like topical steroids or taking an antihistamine. Also, if he cannot figure out what is causing his rash, he may want to see a doctor find out what is triggering it so that he can avoid the allergen in the future.
If you can, try making an appointment with a skincare specialist, such as a dermatologist, rather than going to an urgent care center for help with an allergen rash, recommends Dr. Brar, explaining that Urgent care staff may not always know the best path. treatment and might, for example, recommend oral steroids when milder treatments are sufficient. That said, if you experience any more serious symptoms, such as shortness of breath, you should, of course, seek help as quickly as possible, rather than waiting to see a specialized doctor in the future.