Skin Allergies

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Everything You Need To Know About Skin Allergies

Overwhelmed with a skin allergy? An allergy involves an overreaction by your immune system, often to harmless substances. Allergy Care PLLC, which has offices in Utica and Watertown, NY, offers state-of-the-art treatments for skin allergies. Here's everything you've ever wanted to know about skin allergies.

What Causes Skin Allergies?

Allergies are your body's overreaction to harmless substances. A skin allergy occurs when your skin touches something that your immune system believes is dangerous -- even though it isn't. Causes can include contact with latex, perfume, dyes, cosmetics, topical medications, detergent, poison ivy, and some metals. You can narrow down what triggers your skin allergies if you pay attention to when you have a reaction.

What Are The Signs of Skin Allergies?

Skin allergies occur when the skin becomes inflamed because of direct contact with allergens. Skin allergies can show up anywhere on the body. In someone with a skin allergy, the skin may turn rough, dry, and scaly. It may develop a reddish color, swell into hives, or even ooze and crack as a result of irritation. Until the allergen is removed, the skin will get worse, and the patient will usually experience discomfort as the skin can be painful and itchy.

Who Can Treat My Skin Allergies?

If allergy symptoms continue to bother you and at-home treatments fail to work, then it's time to see an allergy specialist for an evaluation. There are several types of allergy medications available to treat and ease your allergy symptoms. These allergy medications include antihistamines, decongestants, combination drugs, and others. Allergy shots help your body get used to the substances that trigger an allergic reaction. Each allergy shot contains a small amount of the substances that are causing your allergy symptoms.

How Do They Make The Diagnosis?

Your doctor will ask you questions to get a complete understanding of your symptoms and their possible causes. If your doctor thinks you have an allergy, he or she will pay close attention to your eyes, ears, nose, throat, chest, and skin during the exam. You may also need an X-ray of your sinuses or lungs. The allergist may do a blood test, patch test, or skin test. Test results are just one of many tools available to assist your doctor in making a diagnosis.

Are you interested in learning more about skin allergies?
Call our allergist serving Watertown, NY area at (315) 782-6200
or our Utica, NY office at (315) 624-7911 today!

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