Skin allergies occur when your body’s immune system has become oversensitized to an otherwise harmless substance and responds to it as it would an invading pathogen. As part of this reaction, your skin will exhibit symptoms such as itching, reddening, swelling, bumping, blistering, or scaling.

The source of these symptoms may be direct contact with the allergen, such as pet dander, nickel, latex, soap, or laundry detergent, or something that you’ve ingested through mouth or nose, such as food, alcohol, medications, perfumes, or pollen. Although skin allergies are rarely dangerous, they can be unsightly, embarrassing, painful, and difficult to manage. In a few instances, allergies of this type can hint at more serious underlying problems, such as kidney disease. 

There are several major types of skin allergies, including contact dermatitis, eczema, urticaria (also called hives), and angioedema (or swelling). Some of these are fairly common. Skin allergies can be treated and controlled. Your first step is to contact your Baptist Health primary care provider. In the most serious situations, we have the urgent-care and emergency-medical facilities to assist you.