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Posts Tagged ‘Contact Dermatitis’
AllergiesNovember 22nd, 2009

A skin allergy is the body’s over-reaction to one or more allergens in our environment. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in contact with an allergen that your skin is sensitive or allergic to. Jewelry metals and fragrances top the list of substances most likely to cause serious skin rashes. It can also be triggered by a number of factors, including plants, animals, clothing, food and heat. Eczema is a term used for a group of skin conditions having several things in common: dryness, itching, inflammation and thickening of skin, and recurrence. Contact dermatitis occurs at all ages, whereas atopic dermatitis is most often a problem in kids. Hand dermatitis is caused by skin irritants such as detergents or chemicals. Dry skin occurs because of lack of water in the stratum corneum.
Some allergic reactions to wine stem from insect chemicals, new research shows. Chemicals from Hymenoptera insects may be present in some wines. There are four main types of skin allergy, each caused by different allergens. Prickly heat warm weather often causes the itchy red rash known as prickly heat. Bites and stings is irritations from insect bites and stings can be uncomfortable but reactions tend to be short lived. Urticaria type of allergy. Urticaria also called is nettle rash, because it comes up as an itchy red rash, raised in the middle. The swelling that sometimes goes along with urticaria is called angioedema, and often involves the lips, the eyes, and the hands and feet. Angioedema is usually not itchy or red, it tends to burn, sting or cause a tingling sensation.
The most common treatment for allergic contact dermatitis is a cortisone ointment preparation. Many people opt for the more effective natural treatments such as epitrex, which can eliminate flare-ups. Some people find that oral antihistamines like benadryl allergy relief do the trick. Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid cream. Its low potency makes it safe for self-care. Try to determine what exposures aggravate your rash and avoid them. Wear gloves when washing dishes or clothing, and don’t allow your hands to be constantly wet. Allow wool clothing or blankets against your skin. use soapless cleansers or non-alkaline (neutral) soaps. Use washable cotton or synthetic blankets, not fuzzy surfaced ones. Use easily laundered cotton bedspreads or coverlets; avoid chenille.
Skin allergy Diagnosis and Treatment Tips
1. Use fragrance free products when suffering from allergies of skin.
2. A good moisturising lotion will prevent the skin from drying out.
3. Corticosteroid creams or ointments relieve itchiness and halt the spread of rashes.
4. Using washing detergents suitable for people with allergies will not cause any damage to the skin.
5. Keeping a diary of moments when your skin is inflamed or extremely itchy with raised patches.
6. Antihistamines and decongestants are the most common medicines used for allergies.
7. Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid cream. Its low potency makes it safe for self-care.
8. Try to determine what exposures aggravate your rash and avoid them.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis, Allergy Diagnosis, Allergy Relief, Atopic Dermatitis, Bites And Stings, Contact Dermatitis, Flare Ups, Hand Dermatitis, Hydrocortisone, Hymenoptera Insects, Insect Bites And Stings, Oral Antihistamines, Prickly Heat, Serious Skin, Skin Allergy, Skin Irritants, Steroid Cream, Stratum Corneum, Tingling Sensation, Warm Weather

Your skin is the first thing people see when they look at you. Even when you meet someone it is common to shake their hand in greeting in the United States. Skin allergies can affect that first impression. If you don’t suffer from skin allergies you may think of it as a cosmetic problem but anyone who has them knows that a skin allergy can be very uncomfortable and at times painful.
Some people may not realize that the skin is the largest organ that we have. We all want to take good care of our skin even though it can be challenging at times even when you don’t have skin allergies. We want our skin to look healthy, radiant and smooth. Unfortunately, many live day in day out with a variety of skin disorders usually caused by allergic reactions. There is hope for managing these allergies. The key is to be informed.
What Can Cause a Skin Allergy?
Here is a list of some typical triggers that cause a skin allergy:
*Chemical Household Cleaners
*Latex
*A Variety of Foods
*Pollen
*Dust
Chemical Household Cleaners: These cleaners have strong chemicals that are very harsh. If you are not wearing gloves the chemicals can not only cause rashes but they can even cause burns. I was cleaning my grill yesterday with an oven cleaner and thought I could get away with not using gloves. I was mistaken since I burned my thumb. Skin allergies are also known as allergic contact dermatitis because they generally surface when you come into contact with the allergen line the cleaners in this instance.
If you are affected by this type of skin allergy there are alternative natural cleaning products that you can use if you have been highly sensitive to these types of products. These products are made of less toxic and less harmful materials.
Latex: This material can cause skin allergies as well. Those who wear latex gloves may be sensitive to the latex that is used when these gloves are manufactured. When the latex comes in contact with the skin rashes, bumps, and other reactions can occur. You may also experience severe itching.
There are other gloves that are manufactured that do not have latex. Nowadays daycare and childcare facilities are really on top of allergies. They ask questions about your children’s allergies including latex since these facilities use gloves to keep from spreading germs when they change the children’s diapers.
Variety of Foods: Food sensitivities or intolerance can cause skin allergies. Unfortunately they are hard to diagnose because of the delayed reaction most people experience. Hives can occur rapidly after a certain food has been eaten. Some may be surprised to know that eczema can develop if a food is continually eaten. Eczema is a common skin disorder that has been linked to not only allergies but asthma as well.
Infants and children can develop reactions to dairy but older people can be affected as well. The person is usually reacting to the protein in the milk itself called casein. This reaction causes underlying skin irritations such as dermatitis and rashes. Wheat , citrus, peanuts, and eggs are other foods that can cause skin allergies to erupt.
Pollen and dust can also cause skin allergies but they are commonly known more for reactions affecting your breathink like wheezing, congestion and coughing.
Can Skin Allergies be Treated?
There are a variety of treatment options for treating these skin reactions. Doctors can prescribe certain creams and lotions that can reduce the inflammation or get rid of the rashes and itching. You may also want to consider natural or alternative treatments as well. Keep in mind once you identify your allergy you should do your best to avoid what causes your skin allergy.
Allergen, Allergic Contact Dermatitis, Allergic Reactions, Burns, Chemicals, Cleaning Products, Contact Dermatitis, Cosmetic Problem, Dermatitis, First Impression, Harmful Materials, Household Cleaners, Latex Gloves, Oven Cleaner, Pollen, Rea, Skin Allergies, Skin Allergy, Skin Disorders, Skin Rashes

Skin Allergies are different for every person. Someone who gets a skin allergy can get it in a confined area or over their entire body. There are even times when a person can get them on their hands and feet, making it difficult to do every day tasks. When a person gets a skin allergy, it’s called allergic contact dermatitis. The skin has a chemical reaction to the substance it has come into contact with. In these cases, you have to physically touch it to get the allergy. Some of the culprits may even surprise you.
Testing for Skin Allergies
One way to figure out what causes skin allergies is by playing a guessing game. However, there are no winners in this one. You would test products on your skin to see if have a reaction. Don’t worry, there is an easier way. Doctors will do patch testing. They take a small piece of skin (this doesn’t hurt) and then put each patch of skin in contact with the common allergens. They look to see if there is a reaction. The doctors do all the hard work for you and you don’t have to suffer.
These are some of the most common causes of skin allergies:
1. Nickel and gold. These metals are usually found in jewelry. The nickel is found in clasps or buttons. Gold is a little more common. Many pieces are made or plated with gold. If you have an allergy to either of these metals, usually a rash will break out where the metal touched your skin. Many people tend to have a reaction to costume jewelry.
2. Balsam of Peru. This fragrance is found in many lotions and perfumes. Another name for it is myroxylon pereirae. If this is the culprit of your skin allergy, check the ingredients in perfumes and lotions you use to see if this is present.
3. Neomycin sulfate. This substance is commonly found in first aid creams and ointments. Unfortunately, a doctor might prescribe a topical cream for a previous skin rash, only for the patient to find out they also have skin allergies to this substance. It can also be found in cosmetics, soap and pet food.
4. Bacitracin. This is a topical antibiotic. Some people might use it on cuts or burns.
5. Cobalt chloride. This is a real problem for some people because this is normally found in antiperspirants. However, there are other places cobalt chloride shows up such as hair dye and pieces plated in it (buttons, snaps, tools).
6. Quaternium 15. This is a preservative found in many products than women tend to use. It can be found in self tanners, shampoo, nail polish and sunscreen. Try to find products that do not use this if you have skin allergies to Quaternium 15.
Allergens, Allergy Skin, Balsam Of Peru, Chemical Reaction, Clasps, Common Allergens, Contact Dermatitis, Costume Jewelry, Culprit, Culprits, Day Tasks, Guessing Game, Hands And Feet, Neomycin, Neomycin Sulfate, Ointments, Skin Allergies, Skin Allergy, Skin Rash, Topical Cream