Skin Allergy

Skin AllergySkin Allergy occur when an allergen causes triggering of immune response leading to allergic symptoms.

Following are the varieties of allergic skin disorders:

  • Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema
  • Allergic Contact Dermatitis
  • Urticaria / Hives
  • Angioedema
  • Hereditary angiodema (HAE)

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis 

Is a common skin condition in children.

It affects 10 to 20 percent of children.

In adult incidence is less, 1 to 3 percent.

Cause of Eczema / Atopic dermatitis

  • Disruption of the skin barrier leads to dry skin
  • Food sensitization
  • Faulty gene in their skin called filaggrin.

Most common symptoms of eczema

  • Dry Skin
  • Skin redness
  • Scaly and thick skin
  • Irritated and itchy skin
  • Fissured and oozing skin

Itching in Atopic dermatitis can be very severe and extremely irritating.

Location of rash in infant and children

Following are the main sites of Eczema in children

  • Scalp
  • Knees
  • Elbows
  • Cheeks

Location of rash in Adult

Following are the main sites of Eczema in adult

  • Wrists
  • Elbows
  • Ankles
  • Knees
  • Face
  • Neck

There may be personal or family history of any form of allergic disorder.

Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis

Consultation with an allergist is necessary for diagnosis of atopic dermatitis.

  • Symptoms and signs
  • Skin test
  • Allergen specific IgE

Eczema treatment & management strategy

The major goals of treatment are

  • Improve quality of life.
  • Ability to maintain normal daily activity.
  • Feel healthy and satisfied with skin appearance.
  • Minimal side effects from medication.
  • No sleep disturbances.

Avoidance of Possible Triggers 

Irritants : like chemicals, detergents, soaps, fragrances, and smoke.

Steps to perform to reduce irritant exposures :
Wear suitable and comfortable clothing.
Wash garments prior to wearing.
Cut fingernails short and smooth

Use broad – spectrum UV protective sunscreen lotion (SPF of 15 or higher).
Bathe immediately after swimming

Inhaled Allergens :

House dust mites are most important. Follow HDM preventive measures.

Foods :

Certain food can aggravate eczema symptoms. Consult with allergist. Do allergy testing. Then elimination of certain food can be done as per your doctor’s advice.

Stress :

Stress, including anger and frustration, can aggravate itching. So be stress free.

Treatments

Topical Moisturizers

Topical Steroids 

Wet-Wrap Therapy 

Antihistamines Drugs 

Anti – histamines will not control the symptoms.

Sedative antihistamines are sometimes used.

Treatment of Associated Infections 

Stress-Relieving Therapies 

Vitamin D supplements

Biologic Medicines 

Consult with allergist

Probiotics 

Immunotherapy 

Conclusion

Eczema is usually treatable condition. Consultation with an allergist is important. Proper management strategy enable someone to lead normal life style.

Skin Allergy Diagnosis

Consultation with an allergist is necessary.

  • Symptoms and signs
  • Skin test
  • Allergen specific IgE

Skin Allergy Treatment and Management

Treatments

  • Skin allergy medicines are the drugs which used to treat skin allergy. Allergy medicines includes anti allergy tablets, ointments, and other medications like probiotics.
  • Topical Moisturizers for Skin Allergy is very helpful particularly in atopic dermatitis.
  • Topical Steroids in the form ointments is needed for disease is moderate to severe stage.

Wet – Wrap Therapy for Skin Allergy

Anti allergy drugs includes Anti histamines Drugs

  • This class of allergy medicine is very helpful for skin allergy. But anti-histamines will not control the symptoms in atopic dermatitis. Here Sedative antihistamines are sometimes used.

Treatment of Associated Infections

  • Skin allergy patient often has associated skin infection that has to be treated with antibiotics.

Stress-Relieving Therapies

Vitamin D supplements

Biologic Medicines

Consult with allergist

Probiotics in Allergy

  • Sometimes helpful

Immunotherapy or Allergen Immunotherapy AIT

  • helpful when skin allergy ointments tablets are not working.

Avoidance of Possible Triggers

Sometimes avoidance of triggering factors are helpful in skin allergy patients

Irritants: like chemicals, detergents, soaps, fragrances, and smoke.

Steps to perform to reduce irritant exposures in Allergy Patients:

  • Wear suitable and comfortable clothing.
  • Wash garments prior to wearing.
  • Cut fingernails short and smooth
  • Use broad-spectrum UV protective sunscreen lotion (SPF of 15 or higher).
  • Bathe immediately after swimming
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