What is a skin allergy

Today we are going to answer the question What is a skin allergy

What is a skin allergy and what can cause them

What is a skin allergy ? Skin allergies can be caused by literally anything.  The skin can protect itself to some degree from damage or invasion.  Mass cell detect damage to the skin; if damage occurs the mass cells burst releasing the chemical histamine into the tissues, the histamine causes the blood capillaries to dilate, which causes the skin to redden.  The increased blood flow transports materials in the blood which tend to limit the damage and begin repair.

If the skin is sensitive and becomes inflamed by particular substance, this substance is called allergen.   Allergens may be animal, vegetable or chemical and may be inhaled, eaten or absorbed when in contact with the skin.

Allergic reaction appears as irritation, itching and discomfort and sometimes even a burning and stinging sensation with reddening and swelling, can look like nettle rash.  Everybody has a different tolerance to the various substances we encounter everyday.

Here are a few examples of allergens known to cause reactions in some people:

• metal objects containing nickel
• sticking plaster
• rubber/latex
• lipstick containing eosin dye
• nail polish containing formaldehyde resin
• hair and eyelash dyes
• lanolin
• detergents
• foods- eg, nuts, milk, shellfish, strawberries
• plants
• pollen
• fruit

If you find yourself having an allergic reaction to a substance on the skin then remove this with warm water and try taking an antihistamine, this will remove the allergens. If you are allergic to something you have eaten, inhaled or touched seek medical advise.

There are lots of things that cause allergies but hopefully this helps you to answer the question What is a skin allergy.