Indentifying a skin allergy is important because a lot of the same symptoms could be produced by infections, heat, and inflammation and even as a reaction to prescription drugs. For instance skin allergy symptoms such as eczema can mimic those of psoriasis, which is not an allergic reaction but caused by a disorder that produces more skin cells than needed.

Symptoms of a skin allergy:

1. Hives

Hives are one of the most common skin allergy symptoms and an estimated 25% of the American population will have this reaction at least once in their lives.

Hives are characterized by raised bumps of reddened skin in various shapes and sizes. Extreme itchiness is another characteristic of hives. Certain foods and drugs are the most likely triggers of hives.

2. Contact Dermatitis

This is a reaction to an allergen that takes the form of itchy, blistered red skin. It takes a day or two for the reaction to occur and may take two to four weeks for the rash to clear up even with treatment. The most common culprits are perfumes, nickel, rubber or latex products, dyes, cosmetics as well as a common ingredient in antibiotic powders and creams called neomycin.

3. Eczema

This is another one of the common skin allergy symptoms where a scaly, red, itchy rash which can occur on the knees, elbows and face. House dust, pet dander, overheating or excessive sweating, as well as substances such as soaps and wool could cause this skin reaction. There could be emotional triggers also that could cause this skin reaction and among children, certain foods can also cause eczema.

Management of skin allergy symptoms

Identification of the allergen or the trigger of any allergic reaction is the key to management of the allergy. So identifying what substance or occurrence is responsible for causing the skin rash is the first step in managing of the skin allergy.

Then avoidance of the allergen is the next important part of managing the allergy. If it is a food reaction, cut that food or beverage out of the diet and be careful and circumspect when eating out. Eliminate allergens from the home and immediate environment as far as possible.

If it is a drug reaction that is causing the symptoms, ask the doctor to suggest an alternative such as a different formulation or brand of the drug. Wear protective gear such as gloves when required, if you are to come into contact with a substance that is known to cause contact dermatitis.

When the skin allergy symptoms do appear, do not scratch or rub the rash. Apply cold compresses to sooth the rash and apply over the counter medications or prescription gels or ointments for reducing the discomfort. Take any antihistamines or corticosteroid medications that may be prescribed to keep the rashes in control and to avoid lasting skin damage.

What causes allergies?

Many kinds of foods, dust, pollen, medications, dander from pets and other animals and insect bites are usually not inimical to the body. But those who have an allergy to any of these substances are unable to tolerate these ‘allergens’ and produce reactions that could range from the mild to the severe. The body mistakenly produces the reaction that it would normally have to harmful bacteria and viruses.

The white blood cells of the body, the body’s defenders, are activated and we see an allergic reaction. Mild reactions could be a runny nose and itchy eyes. Then there could be wheezing, skin rashes, hives and even more severe reactions.

In cases there could be a life threatening reaction to an allergen called anaphylaxis where many organs of the body may be involved including the respiratory system, the digestive and the circulatory system.

What causes allergies may differ from person to person – the triggers, allergens, the kind of allergic reactions and their severity and so on. Also allergies can show a predictable pattern at times. For instance it a person is allergic to peanuts, there is a higher likelihood that they may be allergic to other nuts as well.

Medical conditions can be causes for allergies

Certain medical conditions predispose a person to allergies. Having asthma, lung conditions such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), frequent infections of the respiratory system, having nasal polyps or having overly sensitive skin can mean that a person is more likely to have allergies.

1. Genetic element

Allergies do run in families, so one’s genetic makeup is certainly one of the important causes of allergies. If parents have allergies, their children are more likely to have allergies. If one of identical twins has an allergy, there is a 70% chance that the other will have the same allergy. Even among non-identical twins there is a 40% chance of both twins being allergic.

2. The hygiene hypothesis

In recent times the hygiene hypothesis has become a popular explanation for why allergies occur and why they seem to be increasing in recent times; particularly in developed countries.

The hygiene hypothesis postulates that as standards of cleanliness and hygiene improve, this reduces the normal expose of children to common dirt, infectious agents, microorganisms, parasites and so on. This prevents the body from developing normal immunity and makes the body more likely to produce reactions to harmless substances.

Since research has also show that the incidence of autoimmune and immunological diseases are more common in developed world (where there is greater likelihood of clean and aseptic environments) than in developed counties, the Hygiene Hypothesis is one of the plausible causes of allergies. A case in point is asthma: in the 19^th century it was a rare disease; today about 10% of the youth has it!

Why you should seek skin allergy treatment

There is of course the fact that skin allergies can be troublesome. Also they can lead to stigmas or social isolation, particularly in the case of children because the allergy can be mistaken for an infection or other contagious condition.

Avoiding allergens and irritants is always a good idea but this is not always practical or even possible. So it is important to develop a protocol that helps to control and manage the allergy or allergies.

Skin allergy treatment options:

1. Avoidance

Traditional allergy control such as allergen avoidance is still a very useful in managing skin allergies. For this, identification of the irritant or allergen is the first step: is it a cosmetic, detergent, kind of clothing, pet dander – what is causing the allergic reaction in the first place?

Also consider emotional triggers because skin conditions are known to be exacerbated by one’s moods and feelings.

2. Protection

When a skin rash or hives or the typical dry and itchy skin appears, it is important not to scratch, or rub at it. This can cause scarring, bleeding and even cause the skin to become infected. Keep skin moisturized with appropriate topical applications to reduce dryness and itching. When using soap and shampoo, check for ingredients such as Sodium Laurel Sulfate and avoid those formulations because this ingredient can further irritate the skin.

3. Topical Creams

It is best to consult a doctor about which type of skin allergy treatment will be best in your case. Over the counter medications may have limited efficacy and prescription medication may be required. Topical medications such as corticosteroid creams or topical calcineurin inhibitors may be needed for effective management of the problem.

4. Allergy Medications

Antihistamines are usually the first response to an allergic reaction and they help to control the unnecessary immune reaction of the body to the allergen. In skin allergies they help to control itching and to limit the rash, also preventing it from returning. Consult the doctor for the dosage and type of medication needed.

For severe cases, treatments could include oral corticosteroid medications. For this a doctor would need to carry out proper investigations and would then write out a prescription.

Antibiotics may form a part of the skin allergy treatment if it is suspected that a bacterial infection is present or that such an infection is triggering the allergy.

5. Home remedies for skin allergies

There are various products that help a person avoid coming in contact with skin allergens. Moisturizers can also help maintain the skin barrier. Cold compresses are also a helpful skin allergy treatment because they help soothe the skin. A bath with common household bleach added to the water twice a week is also thought to help.

There are many different almond allergy symptoms which can occur, when almonds are actually eaten and in some cases even if the person has only touched or come into contact with the allergen–

1. Tingling and swelling of the lips and about the mouth is one of the symptoms of this allergy.

2. Skin eruptions, rashes, hives and itchiness can also indicate an allergic reaction to almonds.

3. There could be wheezing, constriction of the airways and difficulty breathing.

4. A person may also have digestive disturbances such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramping etc.

5. In some cases a potentially life threatening laryngospasm can occur when the almond of food containing it is swallowed.

The vocal cords and the airways swell up and impede breathing. Such almond allergy symptoms require emergency medical attention.

6. Anaphylactic shock can also occur with very severe allergic reactions to almonds and this is another potentially fatal reaction to almond allergies.

Management of an almond allergy can be tricky for several reasons – firstly because a person who is allergic to almonds may likely develop allergies to other tree nuts as well. Nuts or traces of nuts are found in so many different products that a person needs to really vigilant in avoiding allergens even from unlikely sources.

Also almond allergy symptoms tend to worsen over time – whereas the first allergic reaction may have been mild, the second one may be worse and more difficult to manage. The severity of reactions to nut allergies can be very severe in a lot of cases, rather like shellfish allergies. Also these allergies tend to persist for life, and rarely do people outgrow them.

Here are some pointers that could help manage an almond allergy –

• If you know you are allergic to almonds, watch out and be careful about consuming other nuts such as hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, walnuts, cashews, chestnuts, pine nuts, gingko nuts, beechnuts, pistachios, pecans and so on. This is because tree nut allergies are known to have a high degree of cross reactivity. One of the tips for management of almond allergy symptoms is to try and avoid all tree nuts as far as possible.
• Avoid not only the actual nuts but also products such as baklava, nougat, marzipan, Nutella, pralines, nut liqueurs, pesto sauce and so on. Cereals, muesli, chocolate, baked items, fudge, granola bars and so on may also likely contain nuts or traces of nuts.
• Read food packaging carefully, to see if the above ingredients are listed so that almond allergy symptoms can be avoided. Eating out can be very perilous for people with nut allergies; in particular Chinese, Italian or Greek cuisine so remember to ask plenty of questions while ordering.

Difference between banana intolerance and allergy

Sometimes intolerance can cause some symptoms similar to banana allergy symptoms and so differentiating the two can be confusing. However the pathology of both is different and therefore the management of the symptoms also has to be different.

Banana intolerance is caused by the lack of a certain enzyme in the body. This enzyme is needed to break down and digest the protein in bananas, and owning to this, there are digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and other problems indicating indigestion.

A banana allergy should also be differentiated from allergies to substances that are used to ripen bananas. At times it isn’t the bananas that a person may be allergic to; it could be the ripening agent that is the actual allergen.

If your allergy symptoms do not occur when you have banana in its cooked form (pies, cakes etc since the cooking processes destroy some of these allergens) then this could be true for you.

Digestive symptoms of a banana allergy

Banana allergy symptoms can occur shortly after consuming the banana and can cause nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and cramping in the intestines.

Other symptoms of being allergic to bananas

Hay fever like symptoms such as a runny or a stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing or wheezing, watery or itchy eyes could be one of the symptoms of a banana allergy. Hives and rashes could also appear after consuming bananas.

There could also be certain oral banana allergy symptoms such as swelling or itching in the mouth and a scratchy feeling in the throat. In extreme cases, the person could suffer anaphylactic shock as a result of their banana allergy. Swelling in the breathing passages and difficulty breathing, and heart problems could occur in very rare cases.

Who is Likely to have a banana allergy?

There are certain allergies that are seen to coexist with a banana allergy, so if you have those you are more likely to have a banana allergy and vice versa as well. Those who suffer from a latex allergy, allergies to avocados, kiwi fruit and chestnuts are likely candidates for banana allergies as well. Some people are allergic to banana pollen; however they are as likely to be allergic to other kinds of pollen.

Banana allergy treatment

Like most allergies it is best to avoid the allergen. However when this is not possible, banana allergy symptoms will respond to and be controlled with the help of antihistamines like most other allergies. Also if the allergy is very severe, adrenaline injections may be required.

As of now, there is insufficient information and statistical data available on the subject of banana allergies. It is not well understood why they occur, when they are more likely to occur and what the best management tactic is.

It is the caffeine in coffee that people can be allergic to, and so the allergic reaction can also be experienced in the case of other caffeinated beverages such as colas, chocolate, and in cases even decaffeinated coffee. This allergy is not yet fully understood and the coffee allergy symptoms can be quite different and varied and may also include mental and not just physical symptoms.

Common coffee allergy symptoms

These symptoms are commonly seen in a number of other allergies – allergic reactions such as a runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, coughing, and/or hives and skin rashes, severe itching could manifest after consuming coffee.

Flu like symptoms may be noted. There could be wheezing as a result of coffee consumption.

Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea and other digestive disturbances. Most of these symptoms will manifest within a few minutes to a few hours of ingesting the offending substance.

Those who are allergic will show coffee allergy symptoms that are an acute version of what non-sufferers may have if they drank excessive coffee – there could be excessive jitters, insomnia, jumpiness, irritability and headaches.

Unusual symptoms of coffee allergy

In some cases there could be less common reactions to coffee allergies, such as chest pain. There could also be a numbness of the feet and the hands. Muscle aches and pains may also follow ingestion of coffee.

Cold sweats and vision problems and even the swelling of the eyes to the point of shutting have been reported in some cases. In cases there could be dizziness, fatigue and so on as well.

In extreme cases there could be coffee allergy symptoms such as chest pain or heart palpitations. When a person is extremely allergic to caffeine anaphylactic shock could also occur when there is swelling or closing up of the throat and breathing problems. Such an allergic reaction can be life threatening.

Mental symptoms of coffee allergy

It isn’t just physical symptoms; coffee allergies could also produce mental symptoms. A person could experience anxiety or panic attacks as a result. They may find that they are unable to focus or concentrate on the job at hand. There could be irritability and mood swings and anger as a result.

Experts have found that a coffee allergy could produce symptoms such as hallucinations, delirium and even mania; and may sometimes produce symptoms that mimic schizophrenia and other mental diseases.

Coffee allergy symptoms have at times been known to be confused with mental conditions such as paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit disorder, bipolar disease and so on. So it is important to isolate and identify that the symptoms that are being experienced and to make sure as to their reason, since many of the symptoms of a coffee allergy can be extreme enough to impact quality of life and in cases even be life threatening.

When an allergy blood test may be advisable

If a person has a certain skin condition, it can prevent them from undergoing the usual prick test, patch or intradermal allergy tests. Also if they are taking certain medications, skin tests may not be possible and so blood tests to detect allergies may be required.

Different types of blood tests for allergies

The total IgE level test is designed to detect the allergen-specific IgE antibodies present in the blood stream.

The total levels of the IgE antibodies in the blood serum are measured. Blood tests such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or the radio allergosorbent tests (RAST) are usually used to detect allergies.

RAST test

This kind of allergy test measures certain antibodies present in the blood samples, however it is now thought to be rather outdated.

The ELISA test

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test is a more recent and technologically advanced type of allergy blood test. It yields results by binding the antibodies present in the blood to the allergens. A developer is then added to the sample which changes color and this change in color is what will reveal the extent or type of allergy.

How blood tests for allergies are useful

The allergy blood test requires a small blood sample to be taken from the person and then analyzed to detect and identify specific antibodies. These tests are useful in recognizing exactly what reaction the body has to an allergen and whether it is a true allergy that the person has or a mere intolerance.

This type of allergy testing that uses blood samples also helps to determine the exact nature and extent of allergic activity in the person. What it may also be useful for is detecting whether a person has possibly ceased to be allergic to a given substance (out-grown allergies). For this reason such blood tests for identifying allergies have become more popular than in the past.

Limitations of allergy blood tests

Though blood sample allergy tests have become more accurate and technologically sound than in the past, there are still some limitations that they have.

• Blood tests are typically more expensive than the usual skin tests that more routinely used for detecting allergies.
• Blood tests are also less accurate in detecting allergies.
• There is the apprehension that blood tests could yield false positive results (indicate an allergy when there is none present).
• Blood tests are also typically more expensive and also more time consuming (results will take a couple of days or longer) than skin tests.

It is best that the decision of whether to opt for allergy blood tests or any other kind of testing procedure be taken after considering all factors and in consultation with a trained and experienced allergist.

How does acupuncture for allergies work?

Acupuncturists claim that their allergic patients can start to benefit from their vey first acupuncture session and may feel an almost immediate lessening of their symptoms. It is claimed that acupuncture can work well in reducing the dependence that a person has on allergy medications; in some cases even eliminating this requirement.

The aim is to regulate the body’s immune system’s aggressive response to otherwise harmless stimuli.

Different practitioners will use different types of acupuncture – they may use traditional Chinese methods, French, Korean or Japanese methods or they could target the 5 specific Worsley Elements of the hands, ears and so on.

The success of using acupuncture for allergies seems to rely on the practitioner’s own experiences and skills at tackling patients with allergies.

How effective is acupuncture in treating allergies?

The acupuncturist tries to obtain results by unblocking the flow of ‘Qi’ (energy) in the body and restore balance within the immune system. Though this can sound like a lot of mumbo jumbo to a lot of us, studies have shown that this alternative treatment produces results beyond that of a mere placebo effect.

When participants of the study underwent acupuncture for 20 minutes over a 6 week period, at acupuncture points such as the lungs, the gall bladder, liver and large intestines, and also took herbal supplements they reported significant improvement in their allergy symptoms. The levels of physical activity improved and they reported to lowered allergy symptoms as well.

Caution should however be practiced when using acupuncture for allergies since the training and experience of the acupuncturist are crucial factors here not only in determining how effective treatment could be, but also in ensuring its safety.

There have been untoward side effects such as dizziness, internal bleeding at the site of acupuncture and even nerve or organ damage reported, however this is usually when the practitioner is not sufficiently trained and experienced.

What is laser acupuncture for allergies?

In recent times there has been a new development called laser acupuncture and this, it is claimed is something of a 24 hour allergy cure. Here, instead of the needles lasers are used to stimulate the body’s energy flow. The same methodology is used and the same bio-meridians as in acupuncture are identified for stimulation; however it is lasers rather than needles that do the job.

The principles involved in this kind of acupuncture for allergies is the same as the traditional variety, though as yet the claims made by practitioners of this kind of acupuncture are not backed by scientific studies or research.

Some allergy sufferers however may be so fed up of their symptoms that they may want to try anything – caution is advised here, however – both the practice and the practitioner should be thoroughly vetted before opting for this allergy treatment.

Skin test is the most commonly used allergy testing procedure for detecting food allergies, animal, pollen, dust, mold, venom and drug allergies as well as contact dermatitis. Is may be done in one or more of the following manners-

1. The prick test uses skin pricks or scratches with needles to let suspected allergens enter into the skin’s surface.

Solutions containing the allergen that the person suspects they are allergic to are used to gauge the reaction of the substance.

A person is allergic to the substance that causes a wheal – a reaction such as redness, itchiness, rashes, etc.

2. Patch tests are administered to indentify cases of contact dermatitis and so on.

Here the allergen soaked pad is taped on to the person’s skin for one to three days to see if there is a reaction.

3. Sometimes the allergen may be injected into the surface of the skin if the prick test appears to have yielded incorrect results. However the intradermal allergy testing procedure as it is called can be overly sensitive and may yield a false positive result at times.

Blood tests for allergies require the blood to be tested for certain antibodies. They are used when a person is unable to take skin tests though they are less likely to yield accurate results. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA) is the most frequently used blood test for detecting allergies. It measures the amount of antibodies present in the blood.

The RAST (radioallergosorbent testing) method of testing may be used for additional information. Other tests such as the one to test absolute eosinophil count or total IgE levels may be conducted.

Elimination type of allergy testing procedure is used mainly to detect food allergies. By turn certain suspected food allergens are eliminated from the diet of the person for a period of several weeks. The food is then once again introduced to the diet to see what reaction it has.

Provocation type testing may also be used to find out what one is allergic to. Here a person is exposed to different allergens and their reactions recorded in controlled conditions.

Double blind tests can also be performed where allergens as well as harmless substances are used; without the person knowing which is which. This allergy testing procedure has to be carefully controlled and can be used if the person’s allergic reactions are not known to be severe.

Whichever allergy testing procedure you are advised to undergo, you should known what each entails and should help by giving complete medical information about yourself and your suspected allergies to the doctors. Never take any allergy medications prior to a test.

Secondly, it could be a particular ingredient in the drug that could be responsible for the reaction – for instance the edible food color used to impart a distinctive color to the drug may be what a person is allergic to.

Thirdly it is important to see whether it is actually an allergic reaction or whether it is drug intolerance that causes the symptoms since both the conditions are quite different in nature and require to be tackled differently.

Drug allergy symptoms

The symptoms of a drug allergy may not manifest themselves immediately upon taking the drug, and in many cases may appear after the person has been on the medication for a while.

It is thought that the initial exposure or exposures to the drug creates within the body the antibodies to that drug as well as creates the memory lymphocyte cells for the antigen.

When the symptoms of a drug allergy do manifest themselves they may range from the mild to the life threatening.

• A drug allergy could result in a skin rash, hives or suchlike skin eruptions.
• It could also cause fever, one of the most common symptoms of a drug allergy.
• Facial swelling may also be one of the symptoms.
• Dizziness is also seen in some cases.
• In severe cases there could be shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; and even perhaps a life threatening condition called anaphylaxis which is always to be considered a medical emergency.

Drug allergy diagnosis

The most important part of a drug allergy diagnosis is to differentiate it from drug intolerance because they can have very similar symptoms. A drug allergy involves the immune system.

The body mistakenly views the drug as a harmful intruder and releases histamines to combat it. However, real drug allergies that actually involve the immune system; are not as common as we may think and the doctor should determine whether it is an allergic or a non allergic reaction that is causing the adverse drug event.

The medications that most commonly cause an allergic reaction are widely used antibiotics such as penicillin, tetracycline and sulfa drugs. Analgesics or pain relievers such as non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and codeine can also cause the allergic reaction.

Certain anti seizure medications like Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, and so on are also known to cause allergic reactions.

Treatment for drug allergies

The most common treatment for a drug allergy is to discontinue the medication.

If the medication is necessary, the doctor may try a different brand of the same medication or substitute another medication to see if that suits the person better, particularly if the person has not displayed very severe symptoms of the drug allergy.

A doctor should ideally be consulted when the person is displaying the symptoms of a drug allergy or intolerance so that the doctor can determine its nature and the best treatment for it.

In some cases however a drug allergy could resolve itself since the immune system and its working can alter over time.