What Triggers Skin Allergy?

It is embarrassing, humiliating, and relentless. No, we are talking about the red, itchy bumps on the skin, which neither heal nor go away. You might have an uncontrollable urge to relieve yourself of the itch, but the worst part is it never feels healed or gone. Skin allergy or skin rash is either inflamed, red, bumpy, dry, or painful. With so many environmental triggers, it is often difficult to find the source of allergens that cause your body to react. If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of information regarding skin allergies, read the following to get clarity about all kinds of skin irritation, its causes, symptoms and treatment

What Triggers Skin Allergy?

The triggers may be around you or inside you. You need to be conscious about what triggers your allergic symptoms.

• Leaves of plants, like poison ivy or poison oak, sometimes release an oil when damaged. This oil can cause itchy rashes, bumps or blisters when it comes in contact with skin.
• Nickel is a metal used in most of the products you regularly use, such as belts, jewellery, paper clips, eyewear, etc. It often causes skin irritation to people who work with these daily, like stylists, clerks, cleaners, etc.
• Rubber products like gloves, balloons, elastics, erasers, etc., are made by mixing rubber latex and chemicals. A latex allergy may be mild, with just a rash on the skin, or severe, causing breathing difficulties.
• New clothes or shoes may also cause skin allergic reactions. It may be because of the chemicals and dyes used to make or colour them wrinkle-free. Even synthetic fibre or woollen garments can cause skin rashes. 
• Your make-up and toiletries may also contain chemicals like formaldehyde, certain alcohols, parabens and sulphates. Avoid shampoos, sunscreens, make-up items, hair dyes and tattoos made commercially if your skin reacts to them. 
• Sometimes, you can be allergic to fragrances or essential oils. These are found in soaps, perfume deodorants, and even cleaning products. Housemaids, masseuses, and physical therapists are prone to being exposed to these allergens more often.
• A few over-the-counter medications, such as ointments, creams, eyedrops, and pain relief balms, may contain Benzocaine, Bacitracin, or Neomycin. These are mainly found in products to treat small wounds and injuries, insect bites, toothaches, cold sores, or burns and may cause allergies.
• Some chemicals may react with sunlight and cause skin rashes or hives.

Types of Allergy 

Different allergies manifest with different symptoms. The common and regular types of allergies are: 

 Contact Dermatitis

This happens when your skin is in direct touch with an allergen. It may be a new cloth, shoe, or piece of jewellery. It may be pollen in the air, which causes airborne contact dermatitis. Sometimes, you might get rashes only when you are out in the sun, a condition called photoallergic contact dermatitis. Symptoms are redness, patches, inflammation, burning, bumps, and cracking.

Hives

Triggered by contact dermatitis with food, medication, and insect bites, red, itchy welts appear within minutes and tend to fade away within hours or days. Here, the skin is inflamed due to the release of histamine, which ruptures the small blood vessels. It is also called Urticaria and can be chronic or acute. Acute Hives occur when you come in contact with the trigger or due to heat or exercise. Chronic Uticuria often happens without any specific trigger, and hence, it is difficult to identify with allergy tests. Though hives are uncomfortable and sometimes very painful, fortunately, they are not infectious. 

Eczema

Popularly known as atopic dermatitis, it is mostly found in infants due to skin barrier leakiness. When exposed to environmental factors like dust, dirt, cleaning products and even animal dander, this dries up the skin and causes redness and inflammation in knees, hands, and elbows. The most common reason for this allergy is found to be faulty gene filaggrin, which is inherited in some races and ethnicities. Children with asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or even food allergies are more prone towards having eczema. During Hay fever, your immune system mistakes allergens, a harmless substance, as intruders and releases histamine, which causes inflammation of the nose, throat, ears, skin, and mouth. This, in turn, triggers atopic dermatitis.

Angioedema

Angioedema is a swelling in the deep layers of skin, often seen along with hives. You might notice your eyelids or soft tissues around your mouth swelling up. It may be acute if it happens for a short time. Chronic Angioedema, which does not usually have an identifiable cause, is recurrent and stays for days and hours.

Psoriasis

It is a thick, dark, scaly skin rash that lasts a lifetime. It can be found on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, and even your genitals. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be inherited. 

Viral

Viral infections like chicken pox and measles often manifest as red, itchy rashes all over the body and face, which subside with the fever. 

Skin Allergy Diagnosis 

Since skin allergies can have multiple causes, their diagnosis may also be complicated and involve different tests.

1. Biopsy: A tiny part of your skin is taken by your healthcare provider to check for the presence of viruses and bacteria.

2. Allergy Tests: There are two types- scratch tests and patch tests. As the name suggests, a scratch or prick test helps diagnose urticaria and a patch test for contact dermatitis. In both, your skin is exposed to a very small amount of one or more allergens to see the reaction. If there are itchy bumps on the skin and you develop a rash, it is positive for allergy tests. 

3. Blood Tests: Antibodies circulating in the blood may also cause skin irritation, which can be detected only by a blood test. Others may be due to chronic system illness or organ issues. This is checked by a blood test to eliminate any organ contributing to an allergic reaction.  

Skin Allergy Treatment

Skin rashes are treated based on their sources or causes. It can take several days or weeks for complete recovery. But there is always a chance of recurrence. The most common methods of treating skin allergies include: 

• Allergy Medication: Skin allergy medicine, like oral histamines, can cause a reduction in irritation and inflammation.
• Anti-Inflammatory Ointment: The creams and ointments like cortisone help soothe irritable itchiness and inflammation. 
• Immunosuppressants: If skin allergies are caused by immune system disruption, this can reduce the inflammation and further aggravation.
• Oatmeal Baths: Oatmeal is very soothing for your skin. A warm oatmeal bath can relieve you from dry, itchy skin rash. 
• Steroids: Steroids are another strong way to control persistent itchiness and inflamed skin. Your physician or dermatologist may advise applying a topical steroid cream or oral steroids like prednisone.
• Topical Immunomodulators: These are prescription drugs, like tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus skin cream, that control the immune system's response to allergens. 

Pro Tips: The little things you can do to check your skin allergies are wearing loose cotton clothing, not putting on heavy make-up in the sweltering heat, putting cool compression on infected areas or taking an oatmeal bath. Use calamine lotion and hydrocortisone creams if the situation aggravates. Consult your doctor without delay for skin rashes treatment. Invest in Care Health insurance cover that pays you for these visits and prescription drugs and lab tests for a financially stress-free treatment. 

Conclusion 

Skin allergies are something we sometimes have to carry throughout our lifetime or may develop later. As any chronic and recurrent disease requires long-term care and financial support for recovery, it is wise to have a health insurance plan in place to cover the treatment expenses. With comprehensive health insurance coverage, you can cover those unplanned expenses that may arise out of a chronic health condition due to allergy.  

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.