Skin allergy

Most of us have had an itchy, bumpy, red, or scaly rash at some point. You may have had a rash caused by new jewelry or soap, plants like poison ivy or oak, or allergies to medications, foods or even your pets. Skin rashes may also be caused by infections like the chicken pox virus or ringworm, a fungus.

Rashes can be painful and quite embarrassing. When they are caused by your allergies, our specialists can help. With skin allergies, your body sees environmental substances, foods, or drugs as foreign invaders (like bacteria, viruses and fungus) and makes antibodies against these allergens.

When you are exposed to these allergens again, an overactive immune response to these substances causes your mast cells (immune cells) to burst and release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream, causing your skin allergy symptoms. Some common skin allergy rashes we treat are hives, eczema and contact dermatitis.

Hives are red, raised welts typically caused by allergies, infections or medications. The rash from eczema is a dry, red, irritated, scaly and very itchy rash. Eczema runs in families and is more likely to occur in patients with other allergies. Contact dermatitis has symptoms of rash, blisters, itching and burning.

Symptoms of Skin Allergy:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Burning
• Cracking
• Bumps and blisters
• Scaly skin
• Itching

Our specialists will work closely with you to help get you relief. Our allergy testing helps identify your specific triggering substances. Simply avoiding substances that trigger your skin allergy can help reduce your symptoms and need for medications. Our immunotherapy or desensitization therapy can help reduce the frequency and severity or your allergic skin rashes.

If you would like to learn more about how Relief Allergy & Sinus Institute can help you get your skin allergy under control, request an appointment today online or call (630) 513-1691.

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