Allergic Dermatitis Treatment in Charlotte
Allergic dermatitis can be a frustrating and inconvenient condition for many individuals, especially when symptoms affecting the skin begin to draw your attention away from your daily life. At Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center, we understand the impact that allergic dermatitis can have on your lifestyle and well-being, and we are committed to providing comprehensive care to help manage and treat this condition.
When your skin consistently experiences redness, itching, burning, blistering, and other symptoms that disrupt your daily activities, it’s important to understand what type of skin allergy you may be dealing with. Our team of board-certified allergists and experienced healthcare professionals is dedicated to providing personalized treatment plans and ongoing support to help you live your life to the fullest. Whether you are seeking a diagnosis, treatment, or ongoing management of your allergic dermatitis, we are here to help you every step of the way.
How to Request an Appointment
Dealing with persistent skin reactions can be frustrating, especially when you’re not sure what’s triggering them. If you’re experiencing recurring rashes, itching, or other skin symptoms that won’t go away, our allergists can help identify the root cause and create a treatment plan that works for your lifestyle.
Getting started is straightforward. Call our office or use the appointment request form on our website. We’ll find a time that fits your schedule.
When you come in, expect a thorough approach. We’ll talk through your symptoms, when they started, and what might be triggering them. Your allergist will examine your skin and may recommend testing to pinpoint exactly what type of allergic dermatitis you’re dealing with. From there, we’ll map out a treatment strategy tailored to your specific situation, whether that means avoiding certain triggers, managing flare-ups, or a combination of approaches.
What is Allergic Dermatitis?
Everyone’s skin gets irritated from time to time. But when you consistently experience redness, itching, burning, blistering, and other symptoms that affect your daily life, you may have a skin allergy. Allergic dermatitis encompasses several types of skin reactions that occur when your immune system responds to substances it interprets as threats. The most common types of allergic dermatitis include atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, urticaria (hives), and angioedema. All four can be incredibly uncomfortable and, in some cases, life-threatening.
Types of Allergic Dermatitis
An skin allergy occurs when your body interprets a substance – such as latex, perfume, or pet dander – as a threat. In response, the immune system releases histamine, causing allergy symptoms.
Generally speaking, there are four types of allergic skin conditions:
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Contact Dermatitis
- Urticaria (Hives)
- Angioedema
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema, is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by extremely dry, itchy rashes. Though this disorder is most common in young children, adolescents and adults can also develop symptoms.
The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is unclear. In some people, the condition is related to a gene variation. This variation affects the skin’s ability to retain moisture and ward off irritants. In other people, the condition is caused by too much bacteria on the skin.
What triggers atopic dermatitis can also vary. Some individuals experience flare-ups after consuming cow’s milk while others are affected by seasonal allergens like tree pollen.
Other common triggers include:
- Rough wool fabric
- Heat and sweat
- Stress
- Fragrances
- Household cleaning products
- Cigarette smoke
- Mold
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Weather changes
Atopic dermatitis symptoms may include:
- Dry, cracked skin that may ooze or bleed
- Severe itchiness
- Red, raised patches of skin, especially in the folds of the knees and elbows
- Bacterial infections
Individuals with atopic dermatitis are also at risk of developing other autoimmune issues like asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies.
Mild cases of atopic dermatitis can be treated with ointments and moisturizers. More severe cases are often addressed with prescription medications such as topical steroids and antihistamines.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin reaction that occurs when your skin comes into direct contact with an irritating substance or allergen. Unlike some forms of allergic dermatitis that can be triggered by airborne allergens or internal factors, contact dermatitis develops specifically at the site where your skin touches the offending substance.
There are two main types: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis is the most common form. It occurs when harsh substances directly damage your skin cells. This isn’t an allergic reaction but rather a direct injury to the skin. Anyone can develop it with sufficient exposure, though people with existing eczema or sensitive skin are more susceptible. Common irritants include soaps, detergents, solvents, cleaning products, and prolonged water exposure. Symptoms typically develop quickly, often within minutes to hours.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis develops when your immune system becomes sensitized to a specific substance and reacts upon re-exposure. This is a delayed reaction, with symptoms typically appearing 24 to 72 hours after contact. Common allergens include poison ivy, nickel in jewelry, fragrances, latex, and certain topical antibiotics.
Contact dermatitis symptoms may include:
- Red, swollen, or inflamed skin
- Itching (more common in allergic type)
- Burning or stinging (more common in irritant type)
- Dry, cracked, or scaly patches
- Blisters that may ooze or crust over
The location of your rash often provides clues about the cause. Hand dermatitis is extremely common among people whose work requires frequent hand washing or chemical exposure. Facial reactions may stem from cosmetics or fragrances, while eyelid dermatitis can develop from nail polish transferred by touching.
Identifying the specific trigger is essential. Patch testing is the gold standard diagnostic tool for allergic contact dermatitis. During this test, small amounts of common allergens are applied to your skin and monitored over several days for reactions.
Treatment focuses on avoiding the trigger and managing symptoms with cool compresses, topical corticosteroids, and proper moisturization to help the skin barrier repair itself.
Urticaria (Hives)
Urticaria, better known as hives, are swollen welts that suddenly appear on the skin. These raised patches are usually itchy. However, they tend to disappear within 24 hours.
Hives occur when histamine is released into the small blood vessels. Histamine causes the blood vessels to dilate and ooze fluid into the surrounding tissue. This causes swelling and itching.
Exactly what triggers the body to release histamine varies from emotional stress to the common cold. Other triggers include:
- Food allergies
- Medications (e.g., antibiotics, Aspirin, Ibuprofen)
- Cold or heat exposure
- Latex allergies
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Pet dander
- Pollen allergies
- Certain plants
- Insect stings or bite allergies
The welts associated with hives typically:
- Appear in clusters
- Are red, pink, or flesh-colored
- Range in size, from a pea to a dinner plate
- Itch, sting, or burn
- Change shape and location quickly
The center of a hive will also turn white when pressed, a phenomenon known as “blanching.” These welts tend to disappear within 24 hours. However, chronic hives can last for more than six weeks.
Cold compresses, topical ointments, and over-the-counter antihistamines are recommended for mild cases. For moderate to severe cases, medical professionals typically prescribe a corticosteroid or immune modulator, which works to either suppress or stimulate the immune system.
Angioedema
Angioedema refers to sudden swelling in the deeper layers of the skin. This reaction may occur with or without hives. It may also occur in combination with anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition that affects your ability to breathe.
Much like hives, angioedema is the result of a histamine response. This response is normally triggered by an allergen, such as:
- Pet dander
- Insect bites
- Food
- Medicines
- Pollen
- Mold
Angioedema can also be caused by certain autoimmune disorders like lupus.
The primary symptom of angioedema is sudden swelling. This swelling can happen anywhere in the body but often affects areas with loose connective tissue such as the face, extremities, and genitals.
Many people experience angioedema and hives simultaneously. Labored breathing caused by throat swelling (anaphylaxis) may also be present. The latter is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
Mild cases of angioedema can be treated with cool compresses. For more severe, recurring cases of angioedema, providers may prescribe:
- Antihistamines
- Corticosteroids
- Epinephrine shots
- Inhaler medications to open the airways
How is Allergic Dermatitis Diagnosed?
The key to treating any allergic skin condition is to identify the allergen. A board-certified allergist can do this by conducting a series of minimally-invasive allergy tests, including:
- Skin prick test. During this procedure, the allergist lightly scratches your skin and applies a droplet of various allergens to the exposed skin. After 15 minutes, the allergist checks for signs of allergic reactions.
- Patch test. To conduct this test, the allergist places small amounts of allergens on your back. The allergen is then covered with a patch of tape. After 48 hours, the allergist removes the patches of tape and assesses for signs of a reaction.
- Blood test. A lab can also evaluate a blood sample for signs of allergies.
Prevention & Management of Allergic Dermatitis
Avoiding triggers is the best way to manage an allergic skin condition. If fragrances cause flare-ups, you should use unscented detergents and soaps. Or, if wearing scratchy wool contributes to skin reactions, you should opt for softer fabrics.
Other ways to manage skin allergies include:
- Identifying and treating underlying conditions. In many cases, skin conditions are symptoms of a deeper problem. Certain types of dermatitis have been linked to irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune issues. Working with a primary care provider to address these systemic issues can improve your skin health.
- Implementing healthy lifestyle habits. Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising, reducing stress, drinking enough water, and limiting alcohol consumption can reduce skin inflammation.
- Adopting a skin-care routine. Regularly applying moisturizer to your skin can combat dryness and help maintain your skin barrier, which is particularly important for inflammatory skin conditions.
Allergic Dermatitis Treatment in Charlotte
Summary
At Carolina Asthma and Allergy Center, we are dedicated to providing compassionate care and ongoing support to help you live your life to the fullest. Contact us today to request an appointment and take the first step towards managing your allergic dermatitis.
Allergic Dermatitis FAQs
Is there a link between eczema and asthma?
Yes. Both eczema and asthma, which are both inflammatory conditions. While not everyone with asthma has eczema, the opposite tends to be true: most children who have eczema will go on to develop asthma, too. Although no one knows for sure why these conditions are related, they’re likely both tied to environmental allergens.
What is the first sign of dermatitis?
The first sign of dermatitis, a form of eczema, is often the presence of red, dry, swollen skin or a rash. How and when the skin irritation forms depends upon the type of dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis usually begins in young children, and it has no specific trigger. Flare-ups occur from time to time and may continue into adulthood. Contact dermatitis, however, happens to people of all ages and is triggered by a particular substance. For irritant contact dermatitis, the triggering substance is often a harsh chemical or cleaning product. For allergic contact dermatitis, the reaction occurs after sensitization to specific allergens such as poison ivy, fragrances, dyes, or metals.