According to statistics more than 10 million in the united states suffer from allergies during their lifetime. Skin allergy can affect any part of the body and can result from psoriasis, eczema, pollen, acne, insect bites, food and other factors. If the skin allergy symptoms keep recurring its best that you consult an allergist Manassas as that could be a sign of a more serious health issue.  The below are the most common signs of skin allergy;

• Rash and itching
• Redness and swelling
• Raised bumps and flaky skin
• Cracked, and dry skin.

Skin allergy symptoms will disappear on their own after some time, but if you notice that is no improvement speak to your allergy Physician and get medication.

Types of Noninfectious Rashes

• Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is also known as Eczema and most common in children. The skin becomes dry and prone to irritation. Food allergies will make eczema more severe and its linked to asthma and hay fever. It’s important that if you notice your child has a flaky irritating skin that you visit the allergy doctor for treatment.

• Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes into contact with an allergen.

• Seborrheic Dermatitis

Mostly affects adults and it’s characterized by an itchy eruption on the forehead, cheeks, forehead, and ears.

• Hives or Urticaria

Hives result from an inflammation of the skin when the body immune system releases histamine.

• Heat Rash (Miliaria)

The heat rush results from hot and humid weather and results from occlusion of the sweat glands. Most occur around the neck and upper chest.

• Stasis Dermatitis

Occurs on the lower legs and results in chronic swelling due to poor circulation in the veins

 

Home Remedies to Ease Skin Allergies

It’s best that you visit the allergy doctor and discuss the home remedy for the skin allergy that will work for you.

Cold Compress

A cold compress is the perfect skin allergy remedy but only works if the allergy is not as a result of the cold. A cold compress will shrink the blood vessels and stop histamine from being released into the blood. That will aid in reducing the allergic reaction. A cold shower will also help reduce skin allergy.

• Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and acts as an antioxidant, which helps repair and heals the skin after an allergic reaction. Apply an amount of olive oil on the affected area and that will help ease the allergic reaction.

• Baking Soda

Baking soda will help the rash dry out. Mix a half teaspoon of baking soda in water and make a paste. Apply the paste on the affected area and leave it for a few minutes before wiping it out. Leaving the paste for too long on the skin may cause irritation. Before using the paste you can consult the allergy specialist to avoid making the irritation worse.

• Apple cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps reduce acid reflux, acts as an antiseptic and anti-irritant. Apply the vinegar over your skin and that will help soothe and moisturize the skin reducing the itching. Place a few drops of the vinegar in a cotton ball and dab over the itching place. Rinse the skin after a few minutes.

• Ground Oat Meal

Ground oatmeal acts as a soothing balm for the itchy and inflamed skin. On applying the oatmeal it will reduce redness and itching. Oatmeal contains avenanthramide which is anti-inflammatory and anti-itching chemicals. To make oatmeal effective, put in a bathtub full of water and soak in it for some time.

• Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle contains antihistamine properties. Steam the stinging nettle leaves and then eat the leaves to get the antihistamine benefits.

• Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties that will help ease skin allergies. Apply Aloe Vera regularly to ease the allergic reaction and reduce the itchiness. Extract a fresh Aloe Vera and apply it on the affected area. Wash off after 30minutes.

The above home remedies should help ease skin allergies, however, before you begin using any of the remedies visit the allergy specialist and consult on which one will work for you. Too much of the home remedies may aggravate the allergies and it’s important that you use the right portion. If the skin allergy doesn’t ease even after using the remedy, contact the allergy physician for a further diagnosis and testing.

An allergic reaction in a child may be hard to pick as most allergies have the same symptoms as common childhood ailments. An allergy is an immune system reaction to an allergen producing antibodies. Your child is still young and sensitive, its important that before you give any medication, take the child to the allergy clinic and let the allergy doctor check and diagnose the severity of the allergy.

Common Allergens

• Food such as cow milk, eggs, fish, soy and wheat, and nuts
•  Drugs
• Insect and dust mites
• Pet Fur and Pollen
• Mold and animal dander

Signs that your Child Has Food Allergies

• Painful stomach and coughing
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Nausea and Rashes
• Runny and stuffy nose
• Tightness and trouble breathing

If you notice any of the above signs immediately take your child to the allergy physician as food allergies may become severe. Food allergies have no cure and its important that you identify the food that causes the allergy and avoids it. With time most children outgrow the allergies.

Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies worsen during certain times of the year. Pollen from trees and plants is one of the major triggers of seasonal allergy.

Common Signs of Seasonal Allergies

• Sneezing and watery eyes
• Itchy nose and stuffy nose

Common Seasonal Allergy Triggers

• Tree pollen and insect bites
• Pet fur and dust mites
• Cigarette smoke, perfumes, and car exhaust fumes

Natural remedies to Counter Allergies in Children

• Keep pets out of your home or invest in a pet that will not cause allergies such as fish
• Change air ducts to ensure there is fresh air in the house
• Sweep and vacuum your house often. Make sure the baby is not in the house during vacuuming
• Freeze toys in the freezer to kill dust mites. Put the toys in a sealable plastic bag and place them in a freezer for 5 hours once per week.
• Avoid using vaporizers and humidifiers to avoid mold and dust mites
• Use allergen-proof mattress covers for the baby’s bed to avoid any allergens
• Avoid wall to wall carpets as they harbor a lot of dust
• Avoid foods that cause allergies. Before you stop giving your child a certain type of food make sure you consult the allergy physician on the food supplement to give your child. Breastfeed your child for the first six months. Avoid eating foods that cause allergy to make sure your child is comfortable. When nursing uses a hypoallergenic formula to ensure that your child doesn’t develop an allergy.
• Make sure there is no smoke in your home

The above simple tips will help minimize allergy symptoms and will help keep your children happy despite having allergies.

Signs that your Child has Allergies and not the common cold

The symptoms of the common cold and allergies are almost the same and it may be hard to tell them apart. In this section, we detail sign that your child has allergies and not the common cold.

Persistent thin watery discharge is a sign of allergies. A running nose with cloudy discharge and fever is a sign your child has a cold.

Difficulty in breathing resulting from anaphylaxis is a sign of severe allergic reaction.

Wheezing can result from asthma, allergens, and viruses also cause a dry cough which progresses to wheezing. If you notice the above take your child to an asthma doctor for a check-up.

Babies rubbing their eyes more frequently. Allergies cause the eyes to itch more persistently, tearing excessively and become irritable

Developing eczema in baby’s skin is one of the signs of the allergy. Eczema causes red, scaly. oozing rashes on baby’s skin. If you notice Dry and itchy patches of skin around the neck, wrist, and elbows that is a sign of the onset of allergies.

Change in behavior of a child could indicate the onset of allergies. General discomfort and unhappiness could be a sign your child has allergies.

Help your child feel more comfortable by making it easier for them to cope with allergies. Make sure their rooms are allergen free. Take them out when the pollen levels are low. Train and help the child understand their allergy situation as they grow up. Make sure you consult the allergist Manassas before using any home remedy and be keen on the child as they use the home remedy to ensure their situation is improving.