For those of us who’ve ever had a rash we know how uncomfortable it can be. We’ve all scratched here or scratched there on the leg, arms, hand, anywhere we get an itch. Most of us don’t think twice; but what if we had to deal with skin rashes all the time? Those with itchy skin allergies suffer often from common irritants. There are a variety of skin allergies including hives, contact dermatitis and eczema. These are probably some of the more common types. They are caused by different substances, but all of them affect the skin.

When people think of skin allergies, most of us think of hives. Hives are red, itchy, raised areas that can appear anywhere on the body. They can vary in size, and even blend together to form large swollen patches. Hives can be caused by insect stings, but are most often the result of an individual ingesting a certain food or drug that the person is allergic too. Milk, peanuts, berries, fish, eggs, and wheat are some foods that cause hives while ibuprofen, blood pressure pills, and pain killers are some of the medicines that have been known to cause hives rashes . Occasionally hives can be caused by direct contact with the skin. Sometimes the cause of hives is unknown. Unfortunately the hives can last until the allergen has been processed through the body. This can last several days or even weeks.

Contact dermatitis rash is another skin allergy that occurs when an individual comes in contact with something they are allergic to. A perfect example of this would be poison ivy. Poison Ivy causes an extremely itchy, red, blistered rash on the body. The rash occurs about 24-48 hours after contact and can last anywhere from 14-28 days. However, poison ivy is not the only cause of contact dermatitis. Other irritants can be laundry soaps, dyes, perfumes, or even cosmetics, to name a few. Treatment for these rashes consists of cold washes, cold compresses, or corticosteroid cream, depending on the severity of the rash.

Another common skin allergy is eczema. It is characterized by a thick, red, scaly, itchy skin rash that appears on the face, elbows, and knees. It is common in young infants, but most will outgrow it by the age of ten. It generally occurs in families with a history of eczema and in individuals that suffer from other allergies or asthma. Cat dander, household dust, soaps, and certain foods can bring on a rash. Eczema can even be caused by sweating or excess stress. Treatment is usually geared towards preventing an individual from coming into contact with the irritant. When an outbreak does occur corticosteroids both in cream and oral form can be used as well as antihistamines. Supplements like flax seed oil rich in omega 3 oils are helpful. Oatmeal baths ease the itching. Coconut oil and other natural oils can help the skin repair itself.

Skin rashes come in all shapes and sizes. While some rashes cannot be prevented, it is best to avoid irritants that can cause skin allergies. Some of the most common itchy skin allergies are hives, contact dermatitis, and eczema. If you have a rash that keeps coming back or looks like any listed above, seek the advice of a physician.