What Type of Skin Allergies Should Not Be Treated at Home?

So you think you have a skin allergy? You develop one or more of the telltale symptoms – rash or redness, swelling, scaling, or cracked skin. By looking through the types of skin allergies with pictures, you may even be able to pinpoint the category of your rash. 

Should you simply wait and watch? Try home remedies Or should you seek care from a specialist to address your condition? 

An understanding of the types of skin allergies can help you determine what factors are impacting your skin and how you should best control them. 

Table Of Contents

What is a skin allergy?  

What are the common types of skin allergies? 

Skin allergy treatment

What is a skin allergy?  

A skin allergy is essentially a reaction of the body’s immune system to certain substances that are usually harmless. Some allergies are triggered by the mere presence of the substance, while others may erupt only upon direct contact. 

The reaction of the body to the ‘trigger’ can manifest as a rash on the skin, accompanied by itching or burning, redness, or swelling. 

What are the common types of skin allergies? 

1. Eczema 

• Dry, red itchy, and irritated skin can often be attributed to eczema or atopic dermatitis. The rash commonly appears behind knees, inside elbows, or in the front of the neck – areas where the skin flexes and on the face for newborn infants. Scratching of the skin can aggravate symptoms and can cause the area to become infected, leading to fluid-filled bumps that sometimes crust over. 
• Eczema can be triggered by a number of environmental factors sweat, dust, and pollen. Perfumes, soaps, and detergents have also been identified as potential triggers of eczema. Stress can also serve as a contributing factor. In children, eczema can flare up from eating certain foods. 
• Eczema symptoms can be controlled to some extent by following the right skincare routine and avoiding risk triggers. 
• Eczema can ebb and wane, flaring up from time to time or disappearing for several years altogether. It is usually safely treated at home with creams and ointments that soothe inflammation.
• If the itching starts to affect your sleep and overall health or if scratching is leading to skin infections or discolored leathery skin, it is time to seek medical care to treat your eczema. 

2. Contact Dermatitis 

• The symptoms of contact dermatitis can be very similar to that of eczema – redness, swelling, and blistery rash. The appearance of the rash is also similar. However, in contact dermatitis, the rash is usually limited to the area where the skin has come into direct contact with the irritant. In addition, the rash usually appears quickly, within days after exposure.
• The most commonly affected areas in contact dermatitis are the hands, feet, and face-especially eyelids. 
• To identify triggers for contact dermatitis, look for items that directly come in contact with the skin. Keep in mind that flowers, plants, metals in jewelry, lotions, and chemicals in footwear can all be potential irritants. 
• Calamine lotion, oatmeal baths, and cold compresses are effective home skin allergy treatments for contact dermatitis. 
• However, if the rash continues to spread or does not get better in three weeks, seek medical care. Medical attention should also be sought in cases where the affected area includes the eyes, mouth, or genitals. 

3. Hives 

• Hives, or urticaria, are raised welts that appear as the body’s reaction to insect bites or exposure to certain foods and medications. Hives are usually itchy and can sometimes sting or burn. They can appear anywhere on the body in both adults and children affecting a small portion or appearing spread all over the skin. 
• Hives are usually treated with antihistamines. 
• Rarely, hives may be associated with an underlying medical condition. Seek medical attention if hives do not dissipate within ten days, or are accompanied by an abnormal stinging or tingling sensation that might be indicative of angioedema – a swelling that might involve the lips, eyes, hands, and feet. 

Skin allergy treatment

Based on the type of skin allergy, treatment can vary from letting a rash subside on its own, to treating it with home remedies or over-the-counter medications such as calamine or hydrocortisone. When your skin allergy treatment requires medical attention, prescription corticosteroids, antibiotics, or stronger medicines. 

If your skin allergy is accompanied by swollen lips or throat, or if you have a hard time breathing, visit the hospital for medical intervention.