Many people face such a problem as allergies. Rashes appear on the skin, the skin turns red and begins to peel off, and the whole process is accompanied by constant itching. Familiar symptoms? People are affected by this disease, regardless of age and gender. And, of course, in such a situation, it is important for a person to receive qualified medical care.
What is an allergic reaction?
In modern medical practice, cases of skin allergies are often recorded. Red spots, swelling, blistering rash, constant itching are just some of the symptoms of this pathology.
To begin with, it is worthwhile to deal with questions about why the disease appears. An allergy is associated with an inadequate response of the immune system to a particular substance / effect.
The body begins to produce specific antibodies (immunoglobulins E). Once in the bloodstream, these biological substances trigger a cascade of reactions, as a result of which mast cells are activated. The process is accompanied by the release of a large amount of histamine. In turn, this biogenic amine causes an expansion of the lumen and a decrease in the permeability of the walls of the capillaries, a spasm of smooth muscles, a decrease in blood pressure, a thickening of the blood, and swelling of soft tissues.
Most often, such a pathology affects the integumentary and mucous tissues. Redness and rashes appear, which are very itchy. Allergies to the skin can be supplemented by disorders of other organ systems. For example, pain in the eyes, lacrimation, burning in the nose, rhinitis are also symptoms of an immune reaction.
What can cause allergies?
Many people are faced with such a problem as the appearance of rashes, acne, red spots. Skin allergies can develop in contact with a mass of allergens. The reaction develops with:
- the use of certain foods (eg, nuts, honey, cocoa), as well as flavorings, flavors, preservatives;
- the use of creams, soaps, skin lotions, inappropriate decorative cosmetics;
- bites of some animals and insects (some of them release toxic substances during a bite);
- taking certain medications;
- wearing clothes made of synthetic fabric;
- skin contact with household chemicals, powders, clothes rinses;
- interaction with natural allergens, for example, plant pollen, animal hair, insect waste products;
- skin exposure to certain chemicals, reagents, metals, etc.
By the way, often an allergy to cold appears on the skin. The reaction can also occur when exposed to high temperatures, ultraviolet radiation.
It is worth noting that when allergies to the skin appear, it is very important to determine what triggered the reaction from the immune system. In many respects, the success of therapy depends on this.
Key risk factors
As already mentioned, the allergy that forms on the skin is the result of an inadequate response of the immune system to certain substances. Scientists were able to find out some factors, the impact of which increases the likelihood of developing this disease. Their list includes:
- hereditary predisposition;
- the patient has systemic autoimmune diseases;
- previous radiation or chemotherapy;
- living in areas with adverse environmental conditions;
- previous bacterial or viral infection;
- the presence in the body of foci of chronic inflammation.
Varieties of rashes and other symptoms of allergies
A similar disease is accompanied by inflammation and skin lesions. There are several main types of rashes and symptoms:
- The disease is sometimes accompanied by erythema, in which some areas of the skin turn red. The process is associated with excessive filling of small subcutaneous vessels with blood and is one of the characteristic symptoms of an allergy to the skin. Red spots itch, the tissues begin to peel off, which gives the patient a lot of discomfort.
- Perhaps the appearance of flat dense tubercles, called papules.
- Vesicles are small bubbly structures with watery, transparent contents. Such neoplasms also often appear on the skin (allergies to cold and urticaria are accompanied by similar signs).
- Sometimes the reaction of the immune system leads to inflammation of the hair follicles and the formation of acne on the skin with purulent contents.
It is these symptoms that accompany skin allergies. The spots itch, itch, the skin on them becomes dry. Often you can observe the appearance of edema. Fabrics become hot to the touch. If untreated, the skin begins to peel off, become covered with cracks, sores, erosion, which only exacerbates the situation.
Urticaria and its symptoms
Urticaria is one of the most common immune reactions, accompanied by the appearance of lesions on the skin. Allergies in adults and children often occur in contact with chemicals, exposure to low temperatures and ultraviolet radiation, and certain medications.
Small bubble rashes with liquid, transparent contents appear on the skin - this resembles a burn from contact with nettles, which, in fact, is the name of the pathology. The reaction is also accompanied by severe flushing of the skin, severe itching. In this case, the symptoms of allergies go away on their own a few days after eliminating contact with the allergen. Very rarely, the process becomes chronic and lasts about 2 to 3 months.
Contact dermatitis and its features
This allergic reaction develops, as a rule, after close contact of skin tissues and potentially hazardous substances. The ailment has a number of very characteristic features:
- first, on the area of the skin that was in contact with the allergen, redness and swelling appear;
- patients complain of severe itching in the affected area (children often comb these places, which leads to the formation of wounds);
- then small vesicles with a clear liquid inside form on the skin;
- vesicles begin to burst, releasing liquid contents, which is accompanied by burning and increased itching;
- painful erosion forms on the site of the opened vesicles;
- gradually the skin begins to recover - yellowish crusts form at the site of the rashes.
It is worth noting that the allergy in this case is often complicated by a bacterial infection, as wounds and erosion become the gateway for the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the tissues.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a form of allergy, which is accompanied by the appearance of red spots on the skin, covered with dry scales. As a rule, lesions are localized on the elbows, in the area under the knees. The disease often affects the scalp. In children, eczema is accompanied mainly by the appearance of rashes on the cheeks.
First, you can observe the formation of erythema - the affected area turns red, slightly swells, and the skin in this area becomes dry. Subsequently, pink nodules (papules) are formed that rise above the surface of the integumentary tissues. As the disease progresses, the papules are filled with serous fluid, turning into vesicles.
Gradually, the contents of the bubbles become cloudy - a purulent process begins inside, which is accompanied by very unpleasant sensations. Vesicles and pustules burst as they ripen, and painful erosion forms in their place. They often merge with each other by the edges, forming very extensive lesion sites. The skin in the adjacent areas becomes dry and thin. If there is damage to the skin of the scalp, then hair loss can be observed. Erosion is gradually covered with dry crusts that begin to peel off. On this process, as a rule, subsides.
It is worth noting that this disease is characterized by a chronic course - periods of remission are replaced by exacerbations and vice versa.
Neurodermatitis: features of the course of the disease
Neurodermatitis is another type of allergy, however, not only contacts with potentially dangerous substances, but also the state of the organs of the nervous, digestive and other organs systems play an important role in the development of this disease. For example, an allergic reaction is often exacerbated by stress, nervous and physical stress.
A rash with neurodermatitis usually affects the elbow and knee bends, the skin of the face, the inner surface of the thighs, and the external genitalia. Affected areas of the integument first become dry. The skin here begins to peel off, becoming more susceptible to various kinds of injuries.
Further, small papules begin to form on the tissues, inside which sometimes fluid begins to accumulate. The lesions do not have clear contours. The inflammatory process is accompanied by severe itching, which intensifies upon contact with water, cold air, and cosmetics.
Due to dryness and constant scratching, painful cracks form on the skin, which then begin to get wet. The secreted blood and lymph dry out, forming crusts on the surface of the skin. In places of inflammation, the skin begins to thicken. Gradually, the allergic reaction fades, and the affected tissues are restored, although hyperpigmentation of the integument is preserved even in the period of remission.
Of course, such unpleasant symptoms affect the patient’s emotional state. People often suffer from insomnia, fatigue, apathy. There are problems with concentration, decreased performance. Patients suffer from increased irritability, have difficulty communicating. Against the background of this form of allergy, a decrease in immunity is observed, which is fraught with the development of secondary bacterial and viral inflammation of the skin.
Drug treatment for skin allergies
If symptoms appear, consult a specialist. In the process of diagnosis, it is important not only to confirm the presence of an allergic reaction, to diagnose its type and form, but also to highlight the allergen that provokes inflammation. For this purpose, blood tests and allergy tests are performed. Only after this, the doctor will be able to draw up a treatment regimen, pick up pills and ointments for skin allergies.
- First of all, it is necessary to exclude any contact with potentially hazardous substances, whether cosmetics or food.
- The doctor will also select an effective ointment for allergies to the skin. Such drugs as Solcoseryl, Fenistil, Panthenol, Levomekol are considered effective. These funds help to cope with itching, burning and peeling, accelerate the regeneration of skin tissues.
- An essential component of therapy is antihistamines. These drugs block the release of histamine by mast cells, which leads to a gradual attenuation of the allergic reaction, a decrease in edema and skin manifestations of the pathology. Their list includes Tavegil, Allertek, Astemizol, Diphenhydramine.
- There are other drugs that are used to treat skin allergies. If the spots itch, there is a pronounced inflammatory process and the symptoms cannot be removed with antihistamines, then hormonal ointments containing glucocorticosteroids are included in the treatment regimen. Effective are Afloderm, Prednisolone, and Momat. By the way, such funds have a lot of contraindications, so they are sold by prescription. Only a doctor can choose the appropriate ointment for skin allergies in adults and children.
All of the above drugs can only eliminate the symptoms of the disease. To date, the only truly effective treatment for allergies is the so-called desensitization. For a certain time, a microdose of an allergen is introduced into the patient’s body - this way the immune system can adapt to the presence in the body of a substance that stimulates the appearance of an allergic reaction.
Folk remedies for eliminating symptoms
Of course, folk healers offer a huge number of ways to treat skin allergies. Red spots, rashes, and itching can be removed with decoctions, tinctures, and other home-made remedies.
- The chamomile decoction gives good results (dried flowers can be purchased at the pharmacy). From the infusions of this plant make lotions and compresses for the affected skin. This herb has pronounced anti-inflammatory properties.
- A decoction of a series is recommended to be added to bathing water. This medicine helps relieve itching and soothe the skin. By the way, tea is also prepared from this herb, however, in this case, it is better to collect the plants yourself.
- For the preparation of baths, you can also use elecampane, calendula flowers, St. John's wort grass.
- It is believed that fresh celery juice will help relieve an allergic reaction. A tablespoon of fresh juice should be taken three times a day, about half an hour before meals.
- A good medicine is considered a mummy. 1 g of this substance must be diluted in 100 ml of boiled water. The solution is recommended to treat damaged skin. If an allergy to the skin itches, then this tool will help relieve itching and discomfort.
- With atopic forms of dermatitis and eczema, eggshell helps. It must be dried, after separating the film from the inside, grind in a coffee grinder. A quarter of a teaspoon of the powder must be "extinguished" with lemon juice and taken after meals. The procedure is repeated once a day for 2 months.
Skin allergy is an extremely unpleasant and dangerous disease that should not be ignored in order to avoid dangerous complications. When the first symptoms appear, you need to consult a specialist.