Is your skin red, bumpy, itchy, irritating, or causing discomfort? If so, these are typically the common signs of a skin allergy.

Skin allergies can be caused by an array of triggers including various medications, foods, and even being exposed to some plants (such as poison ivy). If you are prone to having an allergic reaction of the skin, the professional skin allergists here at the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia can diagnose what might be the trigger of the initial reaction and provide the appropriate treatment for allergic skin conditions.

Before self-diagnosing, here are some common signs, and symptoms, of experiencing a skin allergy.

Common Symptoms

The most common symptom of a skin allergy is itching. Though the urge to scratch your skin may be hard to avoid, going through with the action may increase irritation, which can then lead to an infection. Instead, consider applying moisturizer to ease any discomfort.

Depending on the severity of the skin allergy, some symptoms can include:

• Eczema - red patches of dry, or scaly, skin which causes severe irritation; has the chance to increase that initial itching, burning sensation
• Hives - red, inflamed, areas on the skin, which are usually raised, that can sometimes appear as large welts; also has the chance to turn into burning, stinging, and itching
• Contact dermatitis - red, itchy bumps that can be caused by exposure to an allergen or irritant.

If you happen to notice any of these symptoms on your skin, contact us for an allergy exam. We’ll work with you to determine the cause of the initial allergy irritant, as well as a treatment to take care of it.

Types of Allergy Tests

There are several types of allergy tests that can be conducted to allow your allergist to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms. The most common of the tests is anIgE Skin Test. During this test, the allergist will place small amounts of various allergens into your skin through a small surface-level indentation. If there is a reaction to a specific allergen, a bump that looks like a mosquito bite will develop where the injection was made. Typically, it takes approximately 20 minutes for the reaction to occur and be visible to the human eye. Don’t be alarmed, though, because the small mosquito-like bump will typically usually go away in approximately 30 minutes. However, it’s important to know that if you are taking medication, daily, certain medications can interfere with the results of a skin test. In this case, a blood test may be performed to get more accurate data.

Have you Experienced a Skin Allergy, or Believe You’re Prone to Them?

Schedule your same day appointment with Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia today. Our team of board-certified allergy specialists will discuss your options and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.