Skin Allergies

Skin allergies, often referred to as contact dermatitis, occur when your skin comes in contact with an allergen. The affected area and severity of the reaction differs from one person to another, although the symptoms can become quite serious. While some people experience an itch all over the body, others say that their skin allergies are observable only on a limited area of their body. When skin allergies are so severe they affect the entire body, people can become unable to work.

While there are many allergens that can cause skin allergies (latex, hair dye, perfumes, make ups, bath powders and some household cleaning products) the allergen behind an allergic reaction is not always known. This is why it's recommended that you seek medical advice as soon as symptoms appear. Your doctor will either use a skin prick test or a blood test (or both) to help determine the exact allergen that's the guilty party. Treatment will genereally depend on the severity of your symptoms.

Over 70 allergens can trigger allergies of the skin. However, the allergens listed below represent the cause of the majority of the cases. These are:

Nickel, also known as nickel sulfate hexahydrate, which is commonly used in jewelry, is considered to be a major trigger of skin allergies. This metal is also used in buttons for clothes.
Gold, also known as gold sodium thiosulfate, is used by jewelry manufacturers.
The third major trigger is Balsam of Peru. This chemical substance is extensively used in the composition of many perfumes and cosmetic products. It's obtained from resin.
Thimerosal, a substance based on mercury, is found in local antiseptics and in some vaccines.
Neomycin sulfate is an antibiotic found in most first aid lotions. In addition, it's used in many cosmetic products. Certain insecticides, antiseptics, fragrances and soaps are also known to contain neomycin.
Formaldehyde, the next risk factor, is typically found in paper, paints, cosmetics, and even in the composition of several medicines.
Cobalt chloride, bacitracin and quaternium 15 occupy the last three positions in this list.

You may not be aware of it, but eczema is also considered a skin allergy. This is a condition that results in dry, flaky and itchy skin. It can also cause weeping blisters. Unlike most skin allergies, eczema is often an inherited trait that begins in childhood. Those who suffer from eczema should avoid extremes of heat and cold and use heavy moisturizers on their skin to help protect and heal it.

Hives are another form of contact dermatitis that can be teh result of a food allergy (chocolate, nuts, tomatoes, and berries can cause hives) or an external allergy (animal, some plants (poison ivy or poison oak) or soap products). Most hives appear suddenly but are gone within 24 to 48 hours.

There is no cure for skin allergies. Most can be treated with over the counter antihistamines. The best way to treat them, which is true of most allergies, is to minimize your exposure to the offending allergens.