Skin allergies

Hives is a skin condition characterized by the appearance of red, raised, itchy welts.

It can be acute (lasting less than six weeks) or chronic (lasting longer).

The causes of hives can be numerous, including sun, exercise, viral infections, stress, extreme temperatures, medications, latex, animal saliva, and insect venom.

Sometimes, it can indicate more serious and rare conditions such as mastocytosis, a disorder characterized by an increase in mast cells in some organs.

Acute allergy-related urticaria can be difficult to identify, given that 80% of allergy sufferers may be sensitized to more than one allergen.

If the cause of the hives can be identified, the best treatment is to avoid and eliminate the trigger.

The symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis usually appear after your skin comes into contact with a substance to which you have developed an allergy. The reaction is not immediate; it usually takes between 12 and 48 hours for symptoms to become evident after contact with the allergen, which is why it is often difficult to determine the cause.

The most common symptoms are redness, itching, swelling, and rashes or blisters, followed by dryness or cracking of the skin.

Most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis:

1. Nickel: It is one of the most common allergens and is found in jewelry, watches, belt buckles, buttons, and other metal products. 2. Cosmetics and Skin Care Products: Products such as creams, perfumes, lotions, and cosmetics (such as nail polish or foundation) contain ingredients that can cause allergic reactions, such as fragrances and preservatives.
3. Latex Gloves: Latex, found in many gloves, clothing, and other medical products, can cause allergic reactions in some people.
4. Cleaning Products: Detergents, household cleaners, and industrial products may contain substances that irritate or sensitize the skin.
5. Dyes and Textiles: Some dyes or fabrics can cause allergic contact dermatitis, especially in people with sensitive skin.
6. Topical Medications: Some medications applied to the skin, such as antibiotic or anesthetic creams, can trigger an allergic reaction.

How tests are performed to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis:

The diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis is usually made through an allergy testing process, such as patch testing.

Patch testing: This involves applying small amounts of potential allergens in patches to the skin (usually on the back). The patches are left in place for 48 hours, then removed to observe reactions. If there is a reaction in the area where the allergen was applied, it can be determined that that substance is responsible for the allergic contact dermatitis.

It is important to identify the cause in order to remove it from your environment and prevent a future outbreak.

The Allergist’s Role in Atopic Dermatitis: Beyond Skin Care

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease that goes beyond dryness and itching. It is often related to allergies and other health problems that can affect the sufferer’s quality of life. In this sense, the allergist plays a key role not only in treating eczema, but also in identifying the factors that trigger it and preventing potential complications.

Identifying Triggers

One of the first steps in treatment is to identify which factors may be aggravating atopic dermatitis. The allergist can perform tests to detect whether certain foods, mites, pollens, or even personal hygiene products are affecting the patient’s skin. Avoiding these triggers can reduce the frequency and intensity of flare-ups.

Personalized Treatment

Each patient is different, so treatment should be tailored to their needs. In addition to recommending appropriate skin care products, the allergist may prescribe medications such as antihistamines or anti-inflammatory creams when necessary. In more severe cases, advanced treatments are available that can help improve patients’ quality of life.

Prevention and Comprehensive Approach

Atopic dermatitis does not usually appear alone, and in many cases is part of a broader picture in which other allergic conditions may be present. It usually begins in the first year of life and can last into adulthood. Its first symptoms appear on the skin and later shift to the target organ and manifest as rhinitis or asthma, or both, simultaneously, or even digestive diseases such as eosinophilic esophagitis.

An allergist not only treats the skin but can also detect and prevent other related conditions to prevent them from progressing over time.

Seeing an allergist not only helps control eczema but also allows you to address the disease holistically, identifying causes, treating symptoms, and preventing future problems. A personalized and preventive approach can make a difference in the progression of atopic dermatitis and in the patient’s quality of life.

Allergy to insect bites: more fear than real risk

It is common for many people to feel afraid of being stung by an insect, especially bees and wasps. However, the reality is that most stings only cause mild local reactions, such as redness, swelling, and temporary pain. Although allergic reactions can occur, they are much less common than is often thought.

It is estimated that between 2% and 4% of the population develop a systemic allergic reaction after a bee or wasp sting, which means that the immune response affects the entire body and not just the area of the sting. The danger lies in the fact that systemic reactions can be fatal (4-10 deaths annually in Spain).

Reactions can be classified as:

– Mild or local: Swelling, redness, and pain in the area of ​​the bite.
– Moderate: Extensive inflammation around the bite, which can last for several days.
– Systemic or severe (anaphylaxis): Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness, and in extreme cases, anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal without immediate treatment.

Although severe reactions are rare, people who have already had a severe allergic reaction should see an allergist to assess the need to carry self-injectable adrenaline and consider insect venom immunotherapy, a treatment that can reduce the risk of future severe reactions by 97% of cases.