Skin Allergies

Also known as Atopic Dermatitis, Eczema is a chronic skin disorder that appears as a dry skin rash. It commonly develops during infancy, but it can appear at any time during a person’s life. It’s most commonly found behind the knees, in elbow creases and on the hands and fingers, but it may also occur on the eyebrows, neck and face. Eczema is a very common condition to occur due to a Skin Allergy with an estimated one in nine people in the UK having been diagnosed with the condition at some point in their lives.

Contact Dermatitis occurs when the skin comes in contact with something which causes irritation or an allergic reaction, usually resulting in a pink or red itchy rash. Irritants may include soaps or perfumes, disinfectants, dust or powders, chalky or heavily chlorinated water and certain plants, such as mustards. Symptoms can be made worse by heat, cold and low humidity.

The rash looks similar to Eczema, but it only appears on the part of skin that has been in direct contact with the allergen. This is most commonly the hands, arms, feet, neck and face.

Also known by its medical name Urticaria, Hives are itchy red, pink or white raised bumps that can appear anywhere on the face or body. Although Hives often disappear within 24 hours, they may linger for anywhere up to six weeks.

Allergens that may trigger Hives include food, such as peanuts or shellfish, certain medications, insect bites or stings, and latex.

This is a more serious reaction to an allergen that causes swelling in the deeper layers of skin. A person may also experience swelling of the airways, which could cause significant breathing problems, which is a medical emergency.

A person with Angioedema may also experience swelling of the eyes, lips, hands or feet which may be accompanied by a tingling or stinging sensation. Hives are often present alongside Angioedema.

Antihistamines are the most common type of medicine used to treat Skin Allergies and come in various forms, including tablets, liquid, creams and lotions. 

Antihistamines are typically used to treat hay fever and other allergies, where the body mistakes harmless substances like pollen as a threat and releases histamine to fight them off, resulting in typical allergy symptoms, including red and itchy skin. Antihistamines block the effects of histamine, providing relief from the symptoms. 

They can be used to treat the symptoms of an allergic reaction as well as being used as a preventative measure if you know you are likely to encounter your allergen, for example, if you have to go outside on a day when the pollen count is high.

Emollients are moisturising treatments, in the form of ointment, cream or lotion, which are applied directly to the affected area of skin on a daily basis to reduce water loss and cover the skin with a protective film to protect the skin from allergens. These moisturising creams provide relief to red and itchy skin. Some emollients are also anti-inflammatories. 

Emollients can be purchased over-the-counter and are most suitable for more mild cases of skin allergies.

Topical Corticosteroids may be prescribed if the affected skin is sore and inflamed. These vary in strength, depending on the severity of the inflammation, and are applied directly to the skin. 

Although steroid creams are highly effective as a skin allergy treatment, long-term use can lead to side effects, although this is rare. Speak to your dermatologist if you have any concerns.

These tablets may be prescribed for a short course of five to seven days to help control particularly severe symptom flare-ups, for example in severe cases of Eczema. This is not always suitable as a long course of treatment as Corticosteroid tablets carry a risk of potentially serious side effects when used long term.

Also known as Phototherapy, this type of treatment delivers a carefully measured dose of ultraviolet light to reduce the inflammatory response in the skin. There are three types of Phototherapy available – broadband UVB, narrowband UVB, and UVA. Light Therapy is a great way of treating Skin Allergies which have not responded to other forms of treatment. Regular sessions will be needed for you to enjoy the full benefit of this treatment. 

Calamine is an over-the-counter product that is applied directly to the skin to soothe and treat itchy skin caused by mild sunburn, reactions to insect bites and similar complaints. It is available as a lotion or a cream and is best suited for cases of mild skin irritation.