Skin allergy

Skin allergy is an over-reaction of the skin to a contact with particular substance that your skin is sensitive or allergic to, which is normally harmless to the non-allergic person. People suffering from skin allergies are often allergic to more than one substance. Skin conditions caused by allergies may result in eczema or dermatitis.

• Skin allergy: reasons | symptoms | allergens | skin care
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The reasons for skin allergies:

In fact, the true reason for allergic reaction to some substances or food - is the immune response of over-active immune system.

Normally, the immune system acts as the body's defense against invading agents such as bacteria and viruses. But in the case of an allergic reaction, the immune system is responding to a false alarm.

Allergy develops after repeated exposure to the causative allergen.

When the allergy-prone person first comes into contact with an allergy-causing substance, this allergen is treated by the immune system as an invader and it mobilizes to attack by starting the process of sensitization, that may take up to 6 weeks to develop. During this process white blood cells produce Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.

In some time on the repeated exposure to the allergen, these IgE antibodies bind the causative allergen and attach to mast cells, that release chemicals known as mediators, including histamine and prostaglandins. These mediators trigger allergy symptoms: histamine stimulates mucus production and causes redness, swelling and inflammation, while prostaglandins constrict airways and enlarge blood vessels.

Skin allergy symptoms:

Allergic reactions usually appear within 48 hours after the exposure to the allergen and may become apparent as:

• rashes;
• itching;
• redness;
• swelling;
• blistering;
•  weeping.

Types of allergens that cause allergic reactions:

In different people substances that may cause an allergic reaction are different, below are listed the most common ones.

• pollens, mold spores, dust particles, dust mites, air pollutants;
• food products that may cause allergy
  in children: cow's milk, eggs, wheat, soy, codfish, citrus and peanuts;
  in adults: almond, brazilnut, cashew, hazelnut, pistachia, walnut, citrus, peach, red apple, strawberry, celery, onion, potato, parsley, tomato, pork and beef meats, crab meat, mussels, shrimp, squid, sesame and poppy seeds;
• some herbs. Common plant allergens are: poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac.
  Note that people sensitive to poison ivy and its relatives are often allergic to other plant oils as well;
• latex rubber;
• some fragrances used in perfumes, skin lotions, cosmetic products, insecticides, antiseptics, soaps, dental products;
• one of the most frequent allergens of this type is myroxylon pereirae (Balsam of Peru) derived from tree resin;
• insect venom;
• medicines, especially topical antibiotics that are also ocasionally found in deodorants, cosmetics, soaps: Bacitracin, Neomycin sulfate;
• some preservatives of multiple uses:
  Formaldehyde found in paper products, fabric finishes, paints, medications, cosmetic products, household cleaners.
  Quaternium 15 contained in some cosmetic and industrial products: self-tanners, shampoo, nail polish, sunscreen, polishes, paints;
• several metals as: nickel (frequently encountered as buttons or clasps on jeans clothing), gold (precious metal found in jewelry), cobalt (contained in some medical products, antiperspirants, hair dyes, metal plated objects, cobalt blue pigment), mercury compound (used in some antiseptics and vaccines).

How to take proper care of the skin that is allergy-prone
in order to prevent and treat skin allergies:

• first, try to avoid using products you know you are allergic to. If you are not quite sure what particular substance is causing allergy in you, visit a dermatologist and have allergy tests made. Ask your dermatologist of the proper treatment;
• second, take a proper care of your skin during the flare-ups of skin allergy condition. Prevent skin allergies by not allowing allergens to enter the outer layer of your skin by using shielding lotions. Shielding lotions bond with the outmost layer of the skin, converting it into what works like an invisible shield, keeping irritants out while sealing skin’s natural moisture and preventing skin from dehydration.

The results people get using Shielding lotion
as a remedy for skin allergies*:

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