Allergic Reactions on Skin
Syahrul Azlan
The most common allergic reactions on the skin nowadays are atopic dermatitis, angioedema, allergic contact dermatitis and urticaria. It is the response of the immune system to different irritants and allergen causing skin disorders, which at times serious cases.
Skin irritation that mostly affects the face, elbows and knees is called atope dermatitis and also known as eczema. Itching that can be severe sometimes is the most famous among other symptoms of dermatitis. Because of too much itchiness we cannot help our self to scratch it which can lead to a lesion that has the tendency to scale and flake which brings out to the secretion of bacterial and viral infections. To alleviate the most common triggers which are emotional stress, allergens, overheating or sweating, some foods and contact with some irritants like soaps, pets, wools and other agents we must first identify the antigen.
With angioedema, you find swelling in the deeper skin layers and it is sometimes connected with hives. There is no itching or redness here; while the allergy takes place in soft tissue like the mouth, genitals and eyelids.
Urticaria is hives and is red and very itchy. The swelling of the skin on the body ranges in size, and may appear anywhere on the body. Acute cases of hives are associated with viral infections, food, drugs or latex which can go away with or without medical intervention or removal of the trigger. In fact, there are some people who suffer from chronic hives practically everyday, for months and years. The trigger for these people may be various circumstances like scratching, pressure and nerves where the elimination of the trigger does not have much effect on the course of the allergy.
Another type is allergic contact dermatitis; poison ivy is the most common cause of this reaction along with other triggers like cosmetics, medications, metals and some plants. It usually begins two days after the contact with allergen causing red, itchy and inflamed skin, with blisters sometimes.
To alleviate allergic contact dermatitis, wash the affected site with soap and water after contact with allergen. Taking antihistamine and cortisone medication may be helpful depending on the severity of the skin reaction.
Some herbal plants are effective in treating skin irritations and allergic reactions such as Jewel Weed and Wild Pansy. St. Johns Wort and Witch Hazel has astringent effect that relieves itchiness and rashes. Witch Hazel is also good treatment for sunburn.
Anti inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti fungal are the properties of Aloe Vera making it a good remedy for minor skin irritations.
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