Symptoms may include a red, itchy rash that requires medication.
This attack results in inflammation, itching, and other problems.
Eczema
Eczemais a form of dermatitis calledatopic dermatitis.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
The rash causes severe itching, redness, oozing, and flaky scales.
These symptoms can be painful and can cause changes in skin color and blisters.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitiscan be resulting from an irritant, an allergen, or both.
Hives
Hives, also known asurticaria, is an itchy rash that can occur at any age.
Urticariacan be acute (lasting less than six weeks) or chronic (lasting more than six weeks).
These welts can be very itchy.
Allergic reactions can last for hours to weeks.
Long-lasting reactions are common in allergies that produce hives or chronic reactions like eczema.
It can occur with hives or it may be brought on by an allergic reaction.
It often involves the lips, eyes, hands, and feet.
Angioedema can feel itchy or it may burn, sting, or cause a tingling sensation instead.
In rare cases, severe swelling around the throat can block the ability to breathe.
This is a medical emergency known asanaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention and can be life-threatening.
What Is Anaphylaxis?
Severe allergic reactions can lead to swelling in your mouth or throat calledanaphylaxisoranaphylactic shock.
Milk is the most common allergen for babies.
Many foods, pollens, and medications can cause allergic reactions.
Below are some of the most common allergens.
Even when the animal isn’t around, these proteins can linger and trigger a reaction.
You may also develop a response to things like pollen and dust on a pet’s fur.
These eight foods make up about 90% of allfood-related allergic reactions.
Not all allergic reactions have anobvious cause.
Treatments
The best strategy for treating allergies is to avoid allergens.
This requiresallergy testingto pinpoint the exact allergens that could be triggering your reaction.
However, you should always have a plan to manage allergies in case of exposure.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Eczema.
National Eczema Society.Facial eczema.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Skin allergy.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Allergic reactions.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Seasonal allergies.
Merck Manual Consumer Version.Seasonal allergies.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Pet allergies.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Insect sting allergies.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Food allergy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Food allergies.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Rashes.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Drug allergies.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Contact dermatitis.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Allergens in cosmetics.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Indoor allergens.
National Eczema Association.5 environmental allergies (and how to manage them).
Yale Medicine.Allergic contact dermatitis.