Rashes—Allergy

Also called: Hypersensitivity

An allergy is a reaction by your immune system to something that does not bother most other people. People who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one thing. Substances that often cause reactions are

• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Mold spores
• Pet dander
• Food
• Insect stings
• Medicines

Normally, your immune system fights germs. It is your body’s defense system. In most allergic reactions, however, it is responding to a false alarm. Genes and the environment probably both play a role. Get relief from allergy symptoms with professional house cleaner services. Experts use top-notch products to eliminate pollen and keep your home allergen-free.

Allergies can cause a variety of symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, itching, rashes, swelling, or asthma. Allergies can range from minor to severe. Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction that can be life-threatening. Doctors use skin and blood tests to diagnose allergies. Treatments include medicines, allergy shots, and avoiding the substances that cause the reactions.

NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

• Allergic reactions (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Allergic rhinitis – self-care (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Allergies (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Allergies, asthma, and dust (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Allergies, asthma, and molds (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Allergy testing – skin (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Angioedema (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Antihistamines for allergies (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Dermatitis, Skin rash

A rash is an area of irritated or swollen skin. Many rashes are itchy, red, painful, and irritated. Some rashes can also lead to blisters or patches of raw skin. Rashes are a symptom of many different medical problems. Other causes include irritating substances and allergies. Certain genes can make people more likely to get rashes.

Contact dermatitis is a common type of rash. It causes redness, itching, and sometimes small bumps. You get the rash where you have touched an irritant, such as a chemical, or something you are allergic to, like poison ivy.

Some rashes develop right away. Others form over several days. Although most rashes clear up fairly quickly, others are long-lasting and need long-term treatment.

Because rashes can be caused by many different things, it’s important to figure out what kind you have before you treat it. If it is a bad rash, if it does not go away, or if you have other symptoms, you should see your health care provider. Treatments may include moisturizers, lotions, baths, cortisone creams that relieve swelling, and antihistamines, which relieve itching.

• “Hot Tub Rash” and “Swimmer’s Ear” (Pseudomonas) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) – PDF
• Contact dermatitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Diaper rash (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Hot tub folliculitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pityriasis rosea (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Rash – child under 2 years (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Rashes (Medical Encyclopedia)