Skin diseases of an allergic nature are such a common phenomenon these days that it is easier to find a person who at least occasionally encounters such manifestations than someone who has never suffered from such irritations.
People of all genders and ages suffer equally from allergic skin diseases: both adults and children. But when treating children, more obstacles arise, since their insufficiently strong immunity limits the use of strong drugs.
The most common allergic skin diseases include:
- Hives
- Dermatosis
- Eczema
- Atopic dermatitis (diffuse neurodermatitis)
Causes of skin allergies
Experts distinguish two types of allergies, the signs of which differ little from each other in the photo:
- True allergy is a negative reaction of the body when the skin interacts with an irritant - a foreign protein, as a result of which free histamine is released and the production of immunoglobulin E increases. Characteristic rashes on the skin of an adult or child appear upon contact with an allergen and can be mild, moderate or severe - see photo you can understand what stage of allergy the patient has;
- Pseudo-allergy - unlike a true allergy, with a pseudo-allergy the immune system is not involved in the response to the irritant. Basically, pseudo-allergy on the skin appears due to the consumption of highly allergenic foods and is often accompanied by gastrointestinal disorders: stool upset, attacks of nausea, vomiting, flatulence, pain, discomfort, pain in the abdominal cavity.
Types of allergic rashes on the hands
It is impossible to accurately determine the factors that contribute to the manifestations of allergies on the skin. But there are several reasons that provoke allergic reactions and cause skin problems:
- heredity - if one or both parents suffer from allergies, the likelihood of a reaction is higher;
- weakened immune system;
- parasite infection;
- dysfunction of the digestive system, renal, liver failure;
- disturbance of intestinal microflora;
- imbalance of nutrients in the diet, lack of vitamins and microelements;
- psychosomatic diseases.
Skin allergies: red spots on the face photo
A little about allergies
Allergies have become widespread among allergopathology. In children under 12 years of age and elderly people, the risk of occurrence is insignificant. Often occurs in connection with contact, new to the body, antigen and reactivity. In all other situations, when eating food, immune tolerance is formed, which reduces the cause of the allergic effect.
There is also a genetic predisposition to food allergies in a child. Rarely, but sometimes an allergy persists for the rest of your life.
Skin allergy symptoms
Allergic symptoms that appear on the skin can be different, therefore, by comparing photos on the Internet and your own condition, you will not be able to completely recover from the disease - only an allergist or dermatologist will make a diagnosis based on the general picture of the allergy.
It is important! Allergic dermatosis is characterized not only by skin rashes - the respiratory system, digestive tract, and mucous membranes are also involved in the allergy process. In addition to skin rashes, allergies manifest themselves as rhinoconjunctivitis, cough, swelling of the mucous membranes, red spots that itch, and other unpleasant symptoms. In the photo on the Internet you will see the accompanying symptoms of skin allergies.
Skin allergies are most easily diagnosed by photos posted on the Internet, because the characteristic symptoms are:
- sensation of itching, burning, pain;
- skin hyperemia;
- dry, flaky skin;
- swelling of the skin;
- various skin rashes - blisters, papules, vesicles, blisters and others.
All areas of the skin are susceptible to skin rashes - the photo shows the head, neck, arms, legs, back, abdomen, and buttocks affected by allergies. The first symptoms occur when interacting with an antigen.
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Photo of dermatitis on the skin
Classification of allergic reactions on the skin by etiology
Allergy is an immune response that appears on the skin due to the influence of internal and external factors. Each allergy sufferer reacts individually to a specific allergen. Most often, the photo shows patients suffering from signs of allergies caused by the following allergens:
- highly allergenic foods, synthetic food additives - citrus fruits, honey, nuts, chocolate, alcoholic beverages, milk, chips, fish, etc. Children under 1 year of age are most often susceptible to food allergies, but some people develop allergic skin reactions throughout their lives;
- long-term use of potent medications - allergies are caused by antibacterial drugs, vitamin-mineral complexes, anesthetics. Allergies often affect babies and adolescents - characteristic symptoms are visible in the photo;
- pollen grains of plants with a high concentration of allergens - seasonal allergies - hay fever - are formed in infants and persist in humans throughout life. Allergic symptoms appear during the flowering season of plants and require immediate treatment, which is noticeable in the photo;
- household chemicals - interaction with the composition of chemicals leads to allergies. The immune response is especially often noticeable on the skin of the hands - places of direct contact with the antigen - skin lesions are visible in the photo;
- dust mites - invisible organisms that cause allergies, which often results in a negative reaction on the skin;
- waste products of pets - saliva, urine. It is believed that animal fur causes allergies, but this is wrong. Pet excrement is a strong allergen - urine has toxic properties, and saliva contains a protein that causes a negative reaction when it comes into contact with the skin;
- insect bites - the reaction to the saliva of stinging insects is clearly visible in the photo;
- exposure to heavy metal salts;
- reaction to ultraviolet rays;
- cold allergy - photo shows characteristic signs of the disease.
Skin allergies, various types of allergies
Types of allergic rashes
There are several types of allergic dermatoses, manifesting themselves in different ways. Looking at the photos of patients, we can conclude that each allergic reaction has its own signs. Most often, allergies with skin rashes are expressed as follows:
- contact dermatitis;
- atopic dermatitis;
- eczema;
- nettle rash;
- neurodermatitis;
- angioedema;
- toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Skin allergies red spots
Contact dermatitis
All segments of the population are susceptible to allergic skin diseases - from infants to adults. An allergy occurs due to direct contact with an irritating substance.
Photos of patients show allergic skin rashes:
- hyperemia, swelling;
- blisters that are very itchy and peel off afterwards;
- vesicles filled with purulent exudate;
- sensation of severe itching, burning.
Reference! Contact allergies rarely appear on the face. Comparing photos of allergies, you can see that the reaction occurs in places of contact with clothing.
Photo of contact dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis
An inflammatory skin disease that most often occurs due to heredity. Skin pathology is difficult to cure and often becomes chronic.
Skin inflammations are localized depending on age: if the baby is less than 1 year old, signs of allergy are visible on the face, folds of the arms, legs; in a child over 5 years old, the skin becomes inflamed in the folds, palms, and feet.
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Patients of all ages experience skin lesions on the genitals, organs of the digestive system, and mucous membranes. Seborrheic atopy affects the scalp and face - photos show the severity of the allergic process.
Look at the photo and pay attention to the symptoms of allergies in the form of atopic dermatitis:
- swelling of the skin;
- redness of the skin followed by peeling;
- papules with liquid inside;
- feeling of unbearable itching with pain;
- cracked, dry skin;
- the appearance of crusts with further scarring.
Note! Atopic dermatitis is usually a consequence of food allergies. But other reasons lead to skin disease: allergies to pets, dust, household chemicals. Pediatricians note that skin diseases accompany dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.
Atopic dermatitis photo
Eczema
The disease is an inflammatory process of the epidermis - the upper layer of the skin. Eczema develops due to allergies and improper functioning of certain organ systems (digestive system, immune system).
Often the disease is combined with atopic dermatitis and appears due to heredity. Basically, eczema is chronic, that is, relapses replace a state of remission.
Signs of skin pathology are visualized using photos:
- hyperemia;
- severe itching, burning;
- many single blisters on the skin, which subsequently merge together;
- the formation of ulcers that release pus when scratched;
- the appearance of crusts on the skin.
Interesting! During partial or complete remission, symptoms subside, but the skin becomes thicker - epidermal changes are visible in the photo.
Photo of coin-shaped eczema
Nettle rash
The disease, the signs of which appear on the skin due to allergies, begins in childhood and occurs periodically, becoming chronic with age.
Symptoms of urticaria resemble nettle burns (see photo) - from light pink to bright red with blisters that are very itchy and cause discomfort to the patient.
Due to the feeling of unbearable itching, there is a desire to scratch the spots, after which erosive formations appear on the skin.
Reference! After properly prescribed treatment, allergy symptoms completely disappear.
Urticaria or nettle fever
Neurodermatitis
Neuroallergic dermatosis occurs in children over 2 years of age and is recurrent over a long period.
The allergic disease is characterized by the appearance of a nodular rash of a light pink hue throughout the body. The rash is very itchy.
If the pathology appears in a child, it is difficult for the baby to restrain the desire to scratch - in this case, the skin acquires a reddish tint, and the nodules merge together.
Afterwards, elements of a rash with scales, compactions, and deposition of skin pigments are noticed on the skin, which are easy to diagnose from a photo.
It is important! If a child suffered from diathesis in infancy, the pathology will most likely be replaced by neurodermatitis.
Treatment of neurodermatitis photo
Angioedema
A distinctive feature of allergies is swelling of various areas of the skin and mucous membranes. An immediate allergy is characterized by a strong itching sensation.
Attention! A complication of allergies is anaphylactic shock - swelling of the larynx, accompanied by asphyxia. If you do not call an ambulance at the first symptoms of Quincke's edema, death is possible. Pay attention to the photo - signs of angioedema are visible to the naked eye.
Angioedema photo
A skin disease develops as a result of an allergy to potent medications - antibacterial drugs, antimicrobial agents. Toxicoderma is characterized by severe redness of the skin, mucous membranes, blisters - photo attached.
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A severe manifestation of an allergic reaction on the skin is Lyell's syndrome, in which the allergy sufferer's condition is comparable to second-degree burns - inflammation with severe swelling, hyperemia - photos convey an instant immune response.
It is important! Lyell's syndrome is a rare allergic reaction, but when the first signs appear, it is necessary to call a rescue team, otherwise the pathology can be fatal.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis
Food allergies in adults
Typically, food allergies on the face in adults (photo 3) are manifested by blue or pale skin, the patient will feel numbness of the tongue or spasm of the larynx. A food allergy in an adult can manifest itself on the skin as puffiness and swelling, papules or blisters with liquid, a rash resembling multiple insect bites, burn marks, etc.
Symptoms of food allergies in adults can look different and appear as external signs of another disease. Hives and rashes are usually not as severe as in children. But the imperfection of the immune system and the reaction of non-perception lead to the appearance of other, no less severe symptoms.
To imagine what food allergies look like in adults, it is enough to combine the symptoms of an early cold (redness of the eyes and nose, sparse mucus from the nose, sneezing and itching of the mucous membranes), add severe skin irritation and itching, and difficulty breathing.
To all this is subsequently added diarrhea, colic, flatulence and a complete lack of appetite. One of the most dangerous is an allergy to alcohol, which may first appear in a relatively young person who has never consumed it before. The result of taking even a small dose can be anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema and death.
Treatment of food allergies in adults is a long and complex complex process, which includes eliminating the main provocateur, normalizing immunity and digestion, taking medications, diet and physical activity. The cause of impaired immunity in an adult can be systemic diseases, recent infections, poor diet and bad habits. All this may require lifestyle changes during treatment.
Diagnosis of skin allergies
Allergies are difficult to determine on your own, but by comparing the photo with the description on the Internet and your own symptoms, you will be able to draw a conclusion about the presence or absence of an allergic reaction.
It is important! Very often people confuse allergies with infectious and viral dermatological diseases. Allergy symptoms are multifaceted - usually, along with skin rashes, other allergic signs appear: cough, lacrimation, mucus, nasal congestion, sneezing attacks, itching, burning sensations. If the allergy has not reached an advanced stage, skin lesions can be effectively treated with antihistamines. It is difficult to determine the nature of the disease from a photo - an allergy or other non-allergic pathology, so consultation with a specialist is necessary.
At the appointment, the doctor, after a visual examination of the patient’s skin, will collect an anamnesis and prescribe additional diagnostic procedures:
- blood test for immunoglobulin E concentration;
- allergy tests;
- clinical blood test with formula.
Allergic reaction on hands
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is made by a doctor. She looks at the medical history, the results of studies, tests and analyses. And if there is a risk of swelling and shock, the study cannot be done.
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When taking a blood test, they look for allergy episodes. Nasopharyngeal rinses may be performed.
Treatment of allergic dermatosis
Effective and correct treatment completely eliminates subsequent complications - the allergy progressing to the chronic stage. The most important thing in treating allergies is to stop contact with the irritant.
But if the patient is affected by skin diseases such as neurodermatitis, eczema, contact, atopic dermatitis, local treatment with ointments and creams will not be enough - allergies in the form of such diseases are treated from the inside, using a complex of drugs:
- antihistamines - Claritin, Telfast, Erius, Suprastin, Diazolin and others - relieve signs of allergies in a short time. Allergy drops with an individual composition for allergies are an excellent remedy for allergies;
- sorbents - activated carbon, Polysorb, Smecta, Enterosgel, Lactofiltrum - cleanse the body of the toxic effects of internal or external factors;
- hormonal and non-hormonal creams and ointments - act on the skin locally;
- restorative drugs - calcium chloride;
- folk remedies in the form of baths, lotions, solutions - oak bark, sage, burdock, yarrow, chamomile and others.
Note! Allergy patients of different ages are prescribed a variety of treatments: the only common treatment will be the use of antiallergic drugs. Remember, if an allergy affects the child’s skin, therapy is carried out taking into account age. Thus, treatment of newborns involves a small list of medications - the effects of local medications can also be harmful to the baby’s skin. Children after 12 months are allowed to use more medications. But self-medication is fraught with a worsening of the condition, so to prescribe correct and effective therapy, consult your doctor.
Treatment
Treatment methods for allergic diseases are divided into two groups - specific and nonspecific. The first are aimed at the ethnological factor and consist in stopping contact with specific allergens (elimination therapy) or, if this is not possible, in reducing the reactivity of the patient’s body by creating specific anti-allergic immunity. The last method is called specific hyposensitization (see Hyposesensitization, specific). Elimination therapy should be carried out whenever possible. Specific hyposensitization is indicated only in the early stages of the development of allergic diseases and only outside the acute stage. Specific hyposensitization is most effective for inhalation non-infectious allergies. Stable remissions in such cases can be obtained in 70-80% of cases.
Nonspecific therapy includes effects on all three stages of the allergic reaction (see Allergy). The immunological stage can be suppressed by immunosuppressants and corticosteroids. The latter also exert their effect in the pathophysiological stage. However, these drugs, when used for a long time, cause a number of severe complications and therefore should be prescribed only for health reasons or if all other types of treatment have failed. Methods of influencing the pathochemical stage include treatment with drugs that inactivate or bind biologically active mediators of the allergic reaction - antihistamines, antiserotonins, anti-SRS-A (slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis) substances, anticholinergics, native plasma. The pathophysiological stage is treated with medications that reduce vascular permeability, relieve spasm of smooth muscles, and improve the excretion of abundant excretion from the exocrine glands.
In allergic diseases of infectious-allergic origin, a large role belongs to the possibly complete surgical sanitation of foci of chronic infection and rational antibacterial therapy. Methods that reduce general reactivity include a hypoallergenic diet (a diet that excludes foods with high allergenic activity, as well as pungent and irritating substances) and spa treatment.
