Skin allergy

Skin allergy is a reflection of problems that occur inside the body. It is believed that the skin reacts to all pathological changes in internal organs and systems.

Allergy, manifested in the form of skin symptoms, is a way of reacting the skin to an allergen.

[1], [2]

Pathogenesis

Skin, which is the largest body by area, performs a protective and barrier function, so it reacts to any stimulus. Primary recognition of the allergen, that is, the period of sensitization, can be short-lived - about a week, and can last up to two months. The entire period of sensitization in the body produces specific immunoglobulins of IgE class. Antibodies, when linked to allergens, begin to release histamine and prostaglandin, which in turn provoke an allergic reaction. If the secretion of histamine predominates, the person blushes the skin, swelling begins. When prostaglandins predominate, the vessels dilate in the body. Thus, the allergy manifests itself on the skin in the form of rash, itching, hyperemia, sometimes in the form of blisters and dermatitis.

[3], [4], [5], [6], [7]

Forms

Skin allergy is conditionally divided into species corresponding to allergic reactions.

Contact dermatitis of inflammatory etiology. Dermatitis can be allergic, when the skin reacts in a slow type, sometimes for three days. Also contact dermatitis can be simple and it develops very quickly. Dermatitis simple (dermatitis allergica) provoke irritants, it can be phenols, caustic soda, lime, acids, cosmetics and other chemicals. Also, simple dermatitis can provoke external ointments and gels. A simple form of contact dermatitis can "debut" on the skin of a completely healthy person when in contact with an allergen, also such dermatitis often appears as an addition to the already existing pathology of the skin, for example, neurodermatitis. The process of sensitization depends on the type of allergen: the active stimulus is sensitized for no more than a week, the weaker can be recognized by the body for months and even years. Skin allergy in the form of contact dermatitis can manifest mainly on those sites that were directly affected by the allergen. Therefore, the cause of contact dermatitis in most cases is an external stimulus.

Allergic urticaria is another species that has a skin allergy. As a rule, urticaria is acute, it can provoke both external and internal factors. Urticaria provoke food components, some types of medicines. Allergens associated with products such as nuts, certain types of fruits, fish, eggs, honey. Drugs that can cause hives are the whole group of penicillins, sulfonamides. Hives are provoked by household allergens (dust) and bites of wasps, bees. Also, skin allergy in the form of urticaria can be a consequence of internal infectious processes - hepatitis, mononucleosis. In addition to allergic urticaria, there are types of cold urticaria, photoconflicts (solar). Symptoms of hives can be very diverse, but they are united by one - a characteristic rash in the form of small, sometimes large blisters. A person experiences a strong itching sensation, if the blisters are combed, then the itching only intensifies. Urticaria is not as trivial as it seems at first glance, as it can intensify right up to the quincke's edema. Angioedema looks like this: the eyelids, lips, tongue, face, then the neck and the occipital part swell, all this develops rapidly and can become life-threatening, as it leads to suffocation.

Skin allergy in the form of eczema, atopic dermatitis. This is a general concept that unites various subspecies of skin symptoms. The etiology of them is not fully understood, but eczema is often explained by a hereditary factor. As a rule, the initial stage is erythema, accompanied by a rash. The rash consists of small vesicles, which are periodically opened and reappear. It is also possible peeling, keratinization of the skin, under the crust accumulates exudate. Localization is also variable - cheeks, forehead, scalp, hands. Limbs are covered with eczema, usually in areas of extensor surfaces (the area under the knees, under the chin).

[8], [9], [10], [11]

Treatment of the skin allergy

• Maximally quickly identify the stimulus, undergo complex diagnostics; 
• Just like in other types of allergies, it is important to neutralize the stimulus as soon as possible, minimize contact with it; 
• Strictly perform the appointment of an allergist and not engage in self-medication; 
• Observe dietary diet, exclude all allergy-provoking foods; 
• Replace all cosmetic and hygiene products with hypoallergenic; 
• If possible, replace synthetic clothing with clothes made from natural materials, cotton; 
• Often ventilate the room and do a wet cleaning.

Skin allergy, depending on the species, may be amenable to therapy quite well, but atopic dermatitis and eczema are often treated a long time and tend to recur. That is why, it is necessary to consult a doctor at the first symptoms of a skin allergic reaction. The sooner the therapeutic measures are started, the more opportunities to stop allergies at the very beginning and prevent its development to pathological forms.