An allergic skin rash is uncomfortable, especially if found in a hard-to-hide area of the body. Numerous allergens trigger allergic rashes, which can vary in size and severity. Some causes of allergic rashes include fragrances, poison ivy and medications.
Though most will naturally go away within several weeks, there are some things you can do to speed up the healing process. You can easily treat allergic rashes with over-the-counter medications, like vashe, but it is always advisable to visit a doctor if you experience difficulty in breathing during an allergic reaction.
Below are some of the common types of allergic rashes and how to get rid of them.
Causes of Allergic Rashes
You will get an allergic reaction when your immune system is sensitive to typically harmless substances. Allergens can get into your body in numerous ways, including:
- Through skin contact
- Eating or swallowing
- Inhaling
- Injection
Some allergens trigger an inflammatory response, leading to skin rashes. Numerous substances can trigger an allergic rash. Below are some of the most common causes.
Poisonous Plants
Some people can have contact dermatitis by coming into contact with plants like the poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac. Such people develop a bumpy, itchy red rash within a few days of contact with the plants. The rash can also continue to develop over a few days, transforming into small fluid-filled blisters.
It is also possible to spread the rash by touching the none-affected areas after touching the affected ones.
Chemicals
Some people develop allergic rashes after coming into contact with the following chemicals:
- Hair dyes
- Fragrances
- Latex and rubber
- Propylene glycol
- Adhesives
- Formaldehyde
- Cobalt, gold and nickel
A chemical rash is often similar to a burn and only limited to the skin area that came into contact with the allergen. It is mainly a swelling or blister or oval-shaped dry or flaky patches.
Medications
Any drug can cause an allergic reaction. Below are the most common medications that trigger allergic rash:
- Asprin
- Antibiotics, like sulfa and penicillin
- Bacitracin and neomycin
- Birth control pills
- Anti-hypersensitives
Medication reaction mostly starts on the trunk and may spread to other areas, like the legs, arms, soles, palms and mouth. Though most rash will develop soon after taking medicine, some can occur days or weeks later.
Treating an Allergic Rash
If you have an allergic rash, there are some things you can do to reduce its severity and speed up healing. They include:
- Avoid touching or scratching the affected area
- Use loose and breathable clothes to avoid irritating the sensitive skin
- Soothe the rash with a cold compress
- Avoid hot water showers as they can dry out your skin
- apply moisturisers regularly to prevent the skin from becoming dry
The treatments for allergic rashes vary depending on the cause and type of the rash. Below are the most common treatments.
- Antihistamine medications for reducing the itches caused by hives and calming down the rash
- Topical ointments and creams, like hydrocortisone, to calm and soothe the affected areas
- Topical corticosteroid creams, ointments and foams to reduce inflammation and relieve the itching caused by the rash.
