A skin allergy is a reaction of the skin of a person suffering from allergic diseases to an allergen. The skin in these places is covered with pimples or small blisters, as well as swelling, swelling and redness. Very often there is irritation and itching of the skin, as well as drying and peeling. The main places where this symptom is localized are the knees, elbows, knees, abdomen, back and face.
Causes of skin allergies
Allergy on the skin manifests itself as a consequence of the sensitivity of the patient's immune system to certain irritants. Moreover, during an allergy, we are talking about the most “innocent” substances that, when entering the human body, come into contact with antibodies that are sensitive to it. These same antibodies, together with allergen molecules, act on the so-called mast cells. Mast cells release a hormone, histamine, which triggers allergic reactions that affect the skin.
Often, our skin shows increased sensitivity to irritating agents that are contained in such familiar products as toilet soap, washing powders, household cosmetics, etc. upon contact with the skin, they provoke irritation, since they themselves are highly allergenic components, moreover, alien to our body, and therefore to immunity.
Also, the modern textile industry produces a large number of synthetic products from non-natural fabrics that disrupt skin respiration, contribute to the accumulation of sweat and cause skin irritation. However, wool fabrics also contribute to skin irritation and are a common cause of allergic reactions.
Special attention deserves cases of photodermatitis, which develop with a combination of irritating factors that increase sensitivity to sunlight. So, celery, carrots, parsley, citrus fruits, figs and seafood provoke skin sensitivity to sunlight. Plant pollen, chlorinated and salt water, some drugs, washing powders have the same properties.
The most common symptom that appears with an allergic rash and other skin symptoms is a food allergy. It most often occurs on foods such as chocolate, vinegar, citrus fruits, shrimp and shellfish, egg yolks. But nevertheless, it is worth understanding that an allergic reaction can occur on absolutely any component of the food.
Factors that provoke skin allergies:
- Poor environmental conditions of the environment. Modern production, which is localized in large cities, has a negative impact on human health. Allergy cases are most common among residents of large industrial centers, who are forced to experience the harmful effects of products released into the atmosphere during the course of industry;
- The use of non-natural products that contain synthetic substances that irritate our immunity and cause, over time, allergies;
- hereditary predisposition;
- Lack of breastfeeding, which is directly involved in the formation of immunity in a newborn child;
- Work in production with toxic reagents. In this case, there is a potential threat of developing allergic reactions. Therefore, workers in hazardous industries are advised to pay increased attention to security measures;
- Sedentary lifestyle. Normal physical activity is the key to immune health and reliable prevention of allergic reactions;
- Excessive protection of the child from contact with the outside world. Modern parents often protect the child too much from contact with external irritants, showing too much care. But this interferes with the normal formation of immunity in the baby.
- Lack of a hypoallergenic diet in the mother while breastfeeding
Skin allergy symptoms
The skin manifestations that appear during the allergic reactions of our body are very extensive and varied. This is manifested both in their locations and in the nature of skin manifestations.
The symptomatology of an allergy depends not only on the characteristics of the course of the disease, but also on such parameters as the time and volume of contact with the allergen. Skin manifestations are not always the result of a so-called “contact allergy”. For example, with food allergies, the product may not come into contact with the skin in any way, and the allergic material can penetrate through the gastrointestinal tract.
In places of localization of allergic reactions, the formation of rashes is noted, which are represented by various plaques, rashes, or blisters - the individual characteristics of the patient also play a role here. The skin in places of inflammation is prone to severe itching. Patients often begin to scratch the skin, which only aggravates skin manifestations, and can also provoke the development of fungal and other infections. This phenomenon is extremely unfavorable, since bacterial and allergic skin manifestations require different approaches to treatment, in which effective remedies for one disease are unacceptable for use in another.
Also, the skin with allergic manifestations is prone to swelling and inflammation. If allergic dermatitis has developed against the background of toxic damage, then in this case, the symptoms of toxic damage are also clearly expressed, as well as special symptoms of poisoning with a specific substance.
Diagnosis of skin allergies
There are a number of diseases, in addition to allergies, which are characterized by the presence of skin rashes, these can be pseudo-allergic reactions, hypersensitivity to certain factors, dysbacteriosis, etc. In some cases, it is impossible to accurately establish the dependence of the occurrence of allergic reactions only on the basis of patient complaints; in this case, a number of diagnostic measures are prescribed:
General blood analysis
A complete blood count is a standard, but at the same time, extremely useful and informative diagnostic procedure for any disease. If allergy is suspected, close attention is paid to the concentration of eosinophils. Eosinophils are specialized cells that produce antibodies. An increase in the level of eosinophils often occurs with allergic reactions and can serve as an indirect confirmation of the diagnosis, and is also used to guide the diagnosis in a certain direction.
Blood test for general and specific antibodies
Antibodies are the cause of allergic diseases.
Normally, they are part of our immunity and take part in protecting the body from all sorts of threats. The body of an allergic person, for some reason, releases antibodies when an allergen enters, which causes the development of allergic symptoms. An increase in the level of general and the presence of special antibodies indicates the presence of allergic sensitivity to certain substances.
Benefits of an antibody blood test:
- Does not involve contact of the patient with allergens, which eliminates the risk of severe complications;
- Can be used without interruption of symptomatic therapy;
- It is allowed to carry out at the time of complications of allergic diseases;
- High safety allows the use of this method in the diagnosis of allergic diseases in pregnant women, babies and the elderly.
Skin tests
Skin testing is a method that is used to determine the presence of an allergic reaction, by assessing the condition of the patient's skin, at the site of contact with the suspected allergen. The allergen can be applied to the skin in various ways, both with a scalpel and with a syringe or by applying a special bandage. Skin tests are a highly accurate method for diagnosing allergic diseases, which, however, is not without the risk of developing severe allergic manifestations (asthmatic attacks, angioedema, or anaphylactic shock).
Skin tests are not used in the following cases:
- exacerbation of allergies;
- The presence of respiratory viral and other infections;
- In young children, during pregnancy, breastfeeding and in the elderly;
- At times when the patient is in dire need of symptomatic therapy with antihistamines and other drugs that suppress allergic symptoms.
Skin tests often do not give an adequate result in the diagnosis of food allergies. Therefore, if there is a suspicion that an allergy on the skin has appeared as a result of exposure to food, then with great success a diet based on the exclusion of food components that are supposed allergens is used, while diagnosing one's well-being.
Skin allergy treatment
The treatment of skin allergies is based on the use of drugs that suppress this symptomatology. While there is still no medicine that would correct the work of the immune system in the right direction. During the treatment of allergies on the skin, both preparations for general therapeutic effects (antihistamines, corticosteroids) and local remedies in the form of ointments are used. The latter are preferred because they have less side effects on the body and do not cause systemic side effects under the condition of short-term and competent use.
It is also advisable to take into account the fact that skin allergies cause irritation on the part of the patient, who is constantly forced to feel itching and discomfort in places of allergic manifestations. This leads to an increase in the patient's irritability, which provokes nervous disorders, which only aggravate the symptoms. For this reason, during the treatment of skin manifestations, sedatives are used, such as glycine and novo-passite, which have a mild, calming effect and relieve nervousness, as well as improve sleep. These measures also serve as an additional factor facilitating the course of allergic symptoms.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are drugs that have a blocking effect on histamine, which affects cells that are localized on the skin and mucous membranes. Due to this, the development of allergic symptoms is neutralized. Antihistamines are most effective when taken before exposure to allergens. Antihistamines for skin allergies can eliminate itching, burning and peeling, relieve swelling and inflammatory reactions.
The first antihistamines (demidrol, diazolin, tavegil, suprastin) have pronounced side effects. Their ability to cause drowsiness, fatigue and general weakness is most often and strongly manifested, which is due to the inhibitory effect on the nervous system.
Subsequent antihistamines (claritin, erius, azelastine, etc.) have less inhibitory effect, or lack them altogether.
Corticosteroids for skin allergies
Corticosteroids are hormonal drugs that have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects in the body. Their extensive influence on the processes of allergy and inflammation is due to a depressant effect on the immune system, due to which there is a decrease in lymphocyte cells, the production of antibodies is inhibited, swelling and inflammation are reduced, skin cells lose their ability to allergic transformations (peeling, itching, ulceration, redness, etc.). .d.).
Injectable corticosteroids
These drugs (dexamethasone, triamicilone, cortisone, prednisolone, etc.) have a powerful effect in relieving symptoms of skin allergies.
They are used in severe forms of dermatitis, as well as generalized urticaria. They are used to relieve acute symptoms of allergic reactions and for a short period (3-5 days), since they have pronounced side effects that increase with prolonged use. If skin allergy is chronic, long-term use of corticosteroids is avoided.
Side effects:
- Catabolism of muscle tissue, ligamentous apparatus, weakening of the musculoskeletal system;
- Violation of the natural production of corticosteroid hormones;
- The formation of edema, due to the accumulation of water;
- Thinning of the walls of the heart muscle;
- Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the appearance of ulcerative formations and gastritis;
- The addition of adipose tissue;
- Inhibition of the immune system;
- Increased risk of infectious and viral diseases
Corticosteroid ointments
In general, corticosteroid ointments, creams, or gels are recommended, if possible, due to mild skin allergies. They are safer drugs, because with this form, their action is localized on a specific area of \u200b\u200bthe skin. Corticosteroids in topical forms penetrate the general circulation much less intensively and as a result do not cause side effects affecting the body.
However, such a risk is still present if there is a long-term use of topical corticosteroids on a large area of the skin, for a long time.
Diet for skin allergies
During the treatment of skin diseases, a special diet is carried out. It consists in the fact that foods that have a high allergenic potential are excluded from the patient's diet. These include: watermelon, tomatoes, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, seafood, honey and other bee products, products using cocoa beans, currants, strawberries, raspberries, hard cheeses, products using vinegar. Avoiding these foods will reduce the intensity of allergy symptoms.
The basis of nutrition for allergies should be low-fat products of natural origin (cereals, lean meat, non-allergenic vegetables and fruits).
To your attention: the information given in this publication is a material for acquaintance, but in no case is it an instruction for the treatment of allergic diseases.
