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What
is Skin Allergy?
There
are about 6 million chemical agents in our immediate environment. Out
of these approximately 3000 act as allergens (agents causing allergy)
to the skin. Skin allergy occurs when these allergens bind to certain
carrier proteins and present themself to the immune system of the skin
and the body
The
skin has a host of immune cells that takes part in different kinds of
allergy reactions:
- The Langerhans cells: Located in the
epidermis are major players in antigen(allergen) presentation
to the immune system
- Mast Cells :normal
residents of the dermis along with macrophages and play an
important roel in releasing histamin, the mediator of allergic
response
- Keratinocytes: These epidermal cells
also produce immune reactive molecules on their surface which
respond to antigens
Important
Types of Skin Allergy
Contact
Dermatitis
Contact
allergy of the skin is known as contact dermatitis. This refers to
either an acute or a chronic allergic inflammatory reactions of the skin
caused by certain chemical, physical or biological substances.
There
are 2 types:
-
Allergic
Contact Dermatitis (ACD)
also known as
eczematous contact dermatitis. This is caused by a T cell
mediated immune response in the skin known as type IV reaction on
previousely sensitized skin.
-
Irritant
Contact Dermatitis (ICD):
This is a non allergic type of contact dermatitis, caused by some
chemical irritant on first contact or subsequent contacts.
But,
once the inflammation and disease process starts, both types resemble in
pathological, clinical and microscopical appearances!
Hence
it is very important to take appropriate history to differentiate
between these two.
Generally,
there is itching, redness in the area, and, in acute phase, oozing and
vesiculation, pain and swelling may also accompany acute eruptions. In
sub acute stage, there is crusting and scaling with drying up of the
oozing fluid.In chronic contact dermatitis, the skin becomes thickened
and hardened with pigmentation
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When
to Consult a Dermatologist?
-
When
normal antihistamine(antiallergic therapy)
does not relieve the itching and eruption
-
If
there is generalized itching and redness
-
When
the disease starts interfering with normal
work
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Contact
Allergy Prevention Tips
-
Avoid
the contactant that may be causing allergy
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Use
mild soaps only
-
Avoid
contact with detergents
-
Even
after the allergy is treated take care to use a
barrier emollient cream to avoid further direct contact with
the allergen
-
Avoid
sun exposure
-
Avoid
excess alcohol
-
Avoid,
hot , spicy, fried food
-
Look
out for food items that may be aggravating the
problem and avoid them.
-
Include
lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in diet
-
Avoid
red meats and eggs
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Dr.Hanish Babu, MD
