About all

Allergic reaction rash on entire body: Hives Information | Mount Sinai

Skin Allergy | Dermatology

A skin allergy is when skin becomes irritated because the immune system reacted to something that is usually harmless. This is called an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction can cause rash, itching, burning, redness, bumps, hives, and swelling. Many different allergens can cause a reaction. Below are some of the most common allergic skin conditions:

  • Atopic dermatitis (dur-muhtahy-tis), or eczema, is when the skin becomes easily irritated, itchy, and dry. It is the most common allergic skin condition, and is more common in children than adults. Eczema is linked to both genetic (inherited from parents) and environmental factors. It is connected to asthma, food allergies, and seasonal allergies. Some things can make eczema flare up, such as certain foods, stress, soaps and lotions, or cold and dry air.
  • Allergic contact dermatitis is when something touches the skin and causes a reaction. For example, some people are allergic to the metal nickel and will have a skin reaction if jewelry made with nickel touches their skin. A reaction to poison ivy is another example. Many people have an allergic reaction to the oil on a poison ivy or poison oak plant.
  • Urticaria (ur-ti-kair-ee-uh), or hives, are raised bumps on the skin that form because of an allergic reaction. These bumps are also called welts or wheals. A person may get hives after eating a food they’re allergic to. The bumps are a result of histamine that the body releases in response to the allergen. Things besides allergies can cause hives as well, such as a bug bite.
  • Angioedema (an-jee-oh-i-dee-muh) is swelling deep in the skin. It often happens on places like the eyelids, lips, and throat, and often happens together with hives.

The symptoms of a skin allergy vary depending on the type of reaction:

  • Eczema causes an itchy, scaly, red, dry rash, especially on the face, hands, elbows, and knees. Sometimes eczema weeps clear fluid as well.
  • Allergic contact dermatitis causes a rash that may be itchy but is often painful. The rash may have both raised bumps and blisters. The reaction may happen right away or it may be up to 48 hours after your skin was exposed to whatever is causing it to react.
  • Hives are raised, flat, itchy bumps that may also be tender. Hives are a sign of a potentially serious allergic reaction.
  • Angioedema is a type of swelling. For example, angioedema on the eyelid can cause your eye to be swollen shut. When it happens in the throat, it is an emergency because the swelling makes it hard to breathe.

Hives and angioedema may be signs of a serious allergic reaction. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if:

  • You have hives all over your body
  • You are starting to have trouble breathing

See a doctor if:

  • You need help with controlling your eczema symptoms
  • Your rash is bleeding or has yellowish pus and looks infected
  • You think you may have an allergy that you didn’t have before
  • You have a skin rash that doesn’t get better after 2 to 3 weeks


A skin allergy is a skin condition where the immune systems reacts strongly to an allergen. The reaction can cause irritation, rashes, swelling, or hives. The cause of the allergy depends on the condition and the allergen.

To diagnose a skin allergy condition, your doctor may:

  • Ask questions about your skin, symptoms you are having, and when it happens.
  • Examine your skin. The doctor may also look at your eyes, nose, throat, and chest to check for signs of an allergy.
  • Recommend allergy testing:
    • Skin prick test. If the doctor suspects you may be allergic to something, the doctor or nurse will put a bit of it on your skin and then lightly scratch the skin. If your body reacts to it, you will usually have a rash, redness, and itching within 15 minutes. You may also see a hive. This suggests an allergy, especially if the hive is large. Your skin can be irritated by things that it’s not allergic to, so the skin prick test is just one piece of information for you and your doctor. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have an allergy even if your skin reacted.
    • Intradermal (under the skin) skin test. This test is used if the skin prick didn’t cause a reaction, but the doctor still suspects you have an allergy. For this test, a doctor or nurse injects some of the allergen into your skin and checks the reaction after a certain amount of time.
    • Blood tests (specific IgE). The doctor takes a sample of blood and sends it to the lab. The lab will put the suspected allergen into your blood and check for IgE, which your blood makes to attack the allergens. Unfortunately, this test is not always reliable because it will often show that there is allergy when, in fact, there isn’t one. This is called a “false positive.”
    • Challenge test. While you are in the doctor’s office, you inhale or eat a small amount of allergen so the doctor can see if you react. The doctor is there to observe and help in case you have a life-threatening reaction. This test is used to check for allergic reactions to food or medicine.
  • Patch test. This test checks for allergic contact dermatitis. The doctor puts a small amount of allergen on your skin, covers it with a bandage, and lets it sit for 2 to 4 days. The doctor checks for signs of a reaction — usually a rash right under the bandage.

Treatment for skin allergy varies depending on the problem and the allergen, but usually includes two approaches:

  • Avoid the allergen, if it is known
  • Use medicines, creams, and other strategies to relieve the itching, swelling, or pain

Below are some recommendations for treating each of the allergic skin reaction types.

Eczema

  • Avoid rubbing , scratching, or scrubbing the skin
  • Moisturize the skin several times a day with an ointment or lotion that has no alcohol, fragrance, or dye. Use this lotion or ointment after you bathe when the skin is still damp.
  • Avoid putting wool or lanolin on the skin. Lanolin is in some skin products.
  • Use gentle soaps and shampoos.
  • Take short baths or showers, and make sure the water is not hot. Lukewarm water is gentler on the skin.

Hives and Angioedema

  • For acute (sudden) hives and swelling a, an antihistamine (like Benadryl®) can stop the allergic reaction. In the future, try to avoid the allergen that caused the reaction. Carry medicine, such as an EpiPen, if you know you have severe allergic reactions to something.
  • The cause of chronic (ongoing) hives and swelling is unknown. For some people, alcohol, aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) can trigger a reaction. Try to understand your triggers and avoid them. It also helps to keep the skin cool and avoid tight clothes. Antihistamines are the most common medicines used to treat hives.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

  • A skin reaction from allergic contact dermatitis will go away, but usually takes from 14 to 28 days.
  • If you come in contact with something that can cause allergic contact dermatitis (like poison ivy), scrub the skin with soap and water right after.
  • The doctor may give you an antihistamine or cortisone medicine to take to help the rash heal. It will still likely take at least a couple weeks for the rash to go away.
  • Calamine lotion and cool compresses can relieve some of the itching and pain. Lukewarm oatmeal baths can also soothe the skin. 

The best way to prevent allergic skin reactions is to try to find out what allergen causes the reaction and avoid it. Consider potential allergens that go directly on the skin, such as soap, shower gels, hair products, makeup, lotions, and deodorants. Foods and medicines can also cause allergic reactions, especially hives and swelling.

For eczema, keep the skin moisturized and avoid the things that cause the eczema to flare up.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, “Allergic Skin Conditions”

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: “Scratching the Surface on Skin Allergies”

NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, “Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)”


A skin allergy is when skin becomes irritated because the immune system reacted to something that is usually harmless. This is called an allergic reaction. The most common allergic skin conditions are atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergic contact dermatitis (rash where allergen touched the skin), urticaria (hives), and angioedema (swelling). Hives and swelling often happen together, and may suggest a serious and life-threatening allergic reaction.

© 2018 Intermountain Healthcare. All rights reserved. The content presented here is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and it should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. 

Hives | Rash | Skin Rash | Itchy Skin

Also called: Urticaria

On this page

Basics

  • Summary
  • Start Here

Learn More

  • Related Issues
  • Specifics
  • Genetics

See, Play and Learn

  • Images
  • Games

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Journal Articles

Resources

  • Find an Expert

For You

  • Children
  • Teenagers
  • Patient Handouts

Hives are red and sometimes itchy bumps on your skin. An allergic reaction to a drug or food usually causes them. Allergic reactions cause your body to release chemicals that can make your skin swell up in hives. People who have other allergies are more likely to get hives than other people. Other causes include infections and stress.

Hives are very common. They usually go away on their own, but if you have a serious case, you might need medicine or a shot. In rare cases, hives can cause a dangerous swelling in your airways, making it hard to breathe – which is a medical emergency.

  • Hives

    (Cleveland Clinic Foundation)

  • Hives (Urticaria)

    (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)

  • Hives (Urticaria)

    (VisualDX)

  • Hives and Angioedema

    (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

    Also in Spanish

  • Allergic Skin Conditions

    (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)

  • Medications and Drug Allergic Reactions

    (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)

    Also in Spanish

  • Sun Allergy

    (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

    Also in Spanish

  • Cold Urticaria

    (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

    Also in Spanish

  • Exercise-Induced Urticaria

    (American Academy of Family Physicians)

    Also in Spanish

  • Urticaria (Hives) and Angioedema

    (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)

  • Skin Allergy Quiz

    (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)

  • ClinicalTrials. gov: Urticaria

    (National Institutes of Health)

  • Article: The Role of Adjuvant Therapy in the Management of Chronic Urticaria.

  • Article: Thyroid Autoimmunity in CSU: A Potential Marker of Omalizumab Response?

  • Article: Potential contribution of Helicobacter pylori proteins in the pathogenesis of type. ..

  • Hives — see more articles

  • American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

  • Find a Dermatologist

    (American Academy of Dermatology)

  • Find an Allergist/Immunologist

    (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)

  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

  • Help with Hives

    (Nemours Foundation)

  • Hives

    (American Academy of Pediatrics)

    Also in Spanish

  • Hives (Urticaria)

    (VisualDX)

  • Hives (Urticaria) (For Parents)

    (Nemours Foundation)

    Also in Spanish

  • Hives (Urticaria)

    (Nemours Foundation)

    Also in Spanish

Allergic rash | Clinic Altimed

Do you have allergic acne on your body? Why is it dangerous?

The epidermis serves as a barrier that protects the inside of the body. It is filled with special cells of the immune system that protect the body and skin from viruses, bacteria and other hidden threats.

As soon as skin cells detect suspicious substances of any type, they start a reaction that causes inflammation of the area of ​​the rash leading to itching.

Immune cells respond to something that concerns the epidermis, infection of the whole body or disease. Some rashes are red, painful, and irritated, while others result in blisters or patches.

Itching is a symptom characteristic of many skin diseases. The skin may itch all over the body or only in certain areas. Allergic rash on hands – common.

Allergy rashes in children are usually caused by eating citrus fruits (orange, tangerine, lemon), especially in large quantities.

The main symptom of an allergy on the body is itchy skin. It is not recommended to allow this, since damage to the cover leads to the formation of small wounds, which can turn into scars after healing is completed. To reduce the reaction, creams that relieve irritation are used.

A common question that can be found on the Internet and in life is how long this disease lasts. The answer is simple – the sooner you start treatment, the sooner it will pass. Note that self-medication is not recommended, because. this can further aggravate the situation. You should immediately contact a doctor who will determine the cause of the rash and make an effective treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment of allergies on the body in Altimed MC

How food intolerance manifests itself: exanthema on the face, itching, blisters. There are gastrointestinal symptoms and shortness of breath. In our medical center, diagnostics are carried out using our own equipment to identify the reasons that cause such a reaction in your body ( rash with food allergy , chemistry, etc.). Any extraneous irritant can cause an allergic reaction. Even with severe forms of eczema, testing can be done.

When this ailment occurs, the usual consultation with a doctor is not enough. Only after conducting a hardware study can a specific cause of the disease be named. The advantage is that it is painless and non-invasive – the best option for children.

If you have an allergic rash on your face, treatment should be carried out only after consultation with a specialist and diagnostics on our equipment. We prescribe a comprehensive recovery based on the results of functional screening. To make an appointment, call 0-800-600-0-80 (free of charge).

What is allergic itching all over the body?

Enanthema is a temporary skin condition characterized by redness, swelling and itching. It is also a common symptom that occurs when exposed to an allergen. There are several types of rashes, including eczema (atopic dermatitis), contact dermatitis, and hives.

Causes of appearance are as follows:

  • Insect bite, to which the body reacts negatively.
  • Sensitivity of the body in a certain group of drugs.
  • The reaction of the body to a product or food supplement.
  • Mechanical factors such as friction.
  • Severe stress.
  • Intoxication of the body (ingestion of a large number of substances that can cause response irritability and lead to intoxication).

The sign can manifest as redness, swelling, itching – everything that interferes with normal life, causing constant discomfort. If you find any sign of occurrence, you should immediately seek help from a specialist. Allergic rashes on the body do not need to be treated on their own, because. this will lead to complications. You need to take medicines according to the written prescription, if you find any deviations in the course of the disease, you should immediately contact your doctor.

Types of manifestations of allergic rashes in infants, adolescents and adults

Eczema causes a dry, itchy, red patch. Your epidermis may appear leathery or scaly, causing small blisters or bumps that ooze. Eczema is very itchy and easy to scratch until your skin breaks, increasing your risk of infection.

Contact dermatitis develops when you touch a substance that irritates your skin, such as cosmetics, hair dye, topical antibiotics, latex, or plants such as poison ivy. Contact dermatitis looks like eczema, but is limited to the area of ​​your skin that has touched the allergen.

Urticaria are itchy, raised red welts that form on your skin. The hives vary in size and usually go away after a few hours. However, depending on your allergic reaction, you may have new hives and old ones disappear. Hives are often accompanied by angioedema.

If the skin is damaged during scratching, there is a possibility that foreign microorganisms will get inside, which cause an inflammatory process, which will make the course of the allergy more severe. This is especially true for babies – Allergy on the face of a baby should be completely under the supervision of parents, who will definitely look after its course, and will not allow any “scabies” and “damages”.

What causes such irritation? Allergy on the child’s body – what to do?

You may experience skin irritation if you come into contact with:

  1. Certain products.
  2. Nickel, gold and other metals used in jewelry and lightning.
  3. Medicines you put on your skin.
  4. Products such as peanuts, shellfish and dairy products.
  5. Plants like poison ivy.
  6. Dandruff.
  7. Cleaning products.
  8. Latex.

If you have hives or any other ailment, contact Altimed MC for allergy testing and personalized treatment. Allergic rashes in children and adults, regardless of its features, should be medically treated immediately after discovery. A quick response to such a problem eliminates possible damage to the skin (scars remain after constant scratching).

If this disease occurs in a child, it is forbidden to treat yourself with your own hands – first of all, you need to consult a doctor who is assigned to you. In emergency situations, you need to get to the nearest hospital, because. time in such cases is not in favor of the child.

When to contact Altimed MC for removal of allergic rashes in children and adults

Many people wonder when they should seek emergency help if they have an allergy on their body. MC Altimed can help you determine the cause and eliminate allergy symptoms of any severity, even if they are life threatening.

Irritation most often appears on the palms, back or legs, pay attention to this fact.

However, any time your symptoms are severe and sudden, you should seek immediate medical attention as they are a sign of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a form of reflex response that is fast, severe, and life-threatening. Symptoms develop almost immediately, and without medical attention, a person can die.

Anaphylaxis causes difficulty in breathing due to airway edema and low blood pressure. Together, these symptoms lead to shock.

Other symptoms and signs of AR present, such as urticaria, edema, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Treatment of anaphylaxis is the administration of epinephrine, a drug that causes blood vessels to constrict, thereby raising blood pressure. Some people who have experienced a severe allergic reaction always have it with them so that they can inject the drug at any time while waiting for emergency help.

If you or a loved one experience any of the symptoms of anaphylaxis listed above, do not wait for the symptoms to get worse – seek immediate medical attention. You should also seek medical attention for such a reaction (allergies on the child’s body, food, chemicals, etc.).

The treatment of this disease is tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Our doctors take into account such a factor as non-perception of drugs that cause an allergic reaction in a patient. Treatment is carried out only with suitable drugs that are tolerated by the human body. This approach guarantees an effective fight against allergies, regardless of its cause.

How is rash treated at Altimed MC?

The first step in treating allergic rashes is to identify the causative agent. The team at Altimed Medical Center uses equipment for diagnostics: functional screening and autonomic resonance testing.

When your doctor diagnoses why it’s all over the body in an adult or child, they can help develop prevention strategies to limit your exposure to the substance and provide immunotherapy to desensitize your immune system to the allergen.

In addition, our doctors prescribe topical treatments and other options such as PEMF, antifungal and others. A specialist will tell you in more detail.

If you are worried Allergy all over the body , call Altimed Medical Center or make an appointment in Kyiv at 0-800-600-0-80 (free of charge).

The treatment process involves the selection of suitable drugs that will strengthen the immune system, which will make the body less susceptible to external stimuli. The equipment used is guaranteed to determine the cause of an allergic reaction – the main task that must be completed.

Why choose Altimed MC for the treatment of food allergy rashes and other types?

Exanthema in children or adults must be treated after consultation with a doctor and a complete diagnosis of the body with the identification of a list of allergens

In our work, we use modern equipment for diagnosis and treatment. Experienced professionals with many years of experience in this industry work with you. Rejection for any reason and the individual characteristics of each patient will not be a surprise for our doctors, because. During their activity, they encountered its various varieties.

Our diagnostic devices allow you to quickly and efficiently conduct research and help patients cope with diseases in the form of a rash on the body.

Here you can buy a device for the treatment or diagnosis of allergic reactions, call the number listed on the site.

Allergic rashes on the body (chemistry, food, plants, animals, etc.) are treated taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient – high-level service.

Permanent staff of doctors – we do not involve third-party specialists.

Favorable price offers for the treatment of allergic rashes – thousands of customers have already seen this.

What is an allergic rash?

What causes an allergic rash?

What are the symptoms of an allergic rash?

How is allergic rash diagnosed?

How is allergic rash treated?

Can an allergic rash be prevented?

When should I see a doctor about an allergic rash?

How to tell if you have acne or allergies

November 16, 2022

How to understand what the rash is connected with – acne or allergies? These are different diseases that are easy to distinguish by certain symptoms, by the type and form of rashes. Another disease can be recognized by the events that preceded the appearance of the rash. An allergy occurs after contact with an allergen: food, medicines, household chemicals, cosmetics, etc. This is not typical for acne; under the influence of these factors, an exacerbation usually occurs.

Can allergies manifest as pimples

First of all, it is worth answering the question of whether there can be acne from allergies. Yes, an allergic reaction can manifest itself in this form. Depending on the type of allergen and the individual characteristics of a particular person, an allergy can be presented in the form of blisters, nodules, spots, dots, papules. By the appearance and contacts of the patient, it can be assumed what the allergic reaction is associated with:

  • Purulent blisters can occur as an allergy to bad ecology, contact with stainless metal alloys. Most often we are talking about professional allergies associated with the characteristics of a person’s work.
  • Small spots that gradually increase in size appear due to allergies to drugs.
  • Pronounced red spots are associated with seasonal rhinitis due to a reaction to pollen, poplar fluff.
  • Small ulcers may be a food allergy to spicy or sweet foods.
  • Weeping erosions, which are later replaced by dry scales, are associated with allergies to hygiene and cosmetic products, chemicals that have got on the skin, jewelry, piercing, extracts of some plants.

Allergy manifestations can be completely different. It all depends on the allergen, form, location and intensity of the reaction. A characteristic symptom is swelling of the eyes and lips. The skin becomes bumpy, swollen, a scattering of small red dots or uneven red spots of various sizes appear on it. Against this background, there may be cracks and scales. All this is accompanied by itching, due to which a person combs the skin, aggravating the condition.

What are the symptoms of acne

Now let’s move on to the question of how to distinguish acne from allergies. To do this, you need to know not only the symptoms of the latter. You need to have an understanding of what acne is. It is a long-term inflammatory skin disease that occurs when dead skin cells and excess sebum clog the hair follicle.

Acne is very common in adolescence. Due to changes in hormonal levels, up to 90% teenagers. But acne also happens in adulthood, even in 30-40 years. The reasons are very different: heredity, the wrong choice of cosmetics, prolonged exposure to sunlight, squeezing acne, taking certain drugs, excessive cleanliness or insufficient care, hormonal changes, endocrine disorders, etc.

The main difference between acne and allergies is a long course. An allergic reaction after eliminating contact with the allergen and taking anti-allergic drugs gradually disappears, the symptoms weaken every day. Pimples with acne do not go away for a long time, and periodically the disease worsens, because of which the whole face can pour out. Symptoms depend on the stage:

  • Mild acne is black and white dots that do not rise above the skin. There is no inflammation.
  • Moderate acne is represented mainly by black dots with a small number of papules and pustules. Inflammation is present, but weakly expressed.
  • Severe acne is accompanied by a polymorphic rash, which includes comedones, pustules, papules, present in approximately equal proportions. Around them marked inflammation.
  • Extremely severe acne is characterized by cystic nodular and cicatricial changes on the skin, a suppurative process. Nodes can be up to 5 mm in diameter or more. The number of comedones exceeds 50, papules and pustules more than 30. Pustules can merge, forming large abscesses. Knots deep in the skin are very painful. The whole skin is very inflamed, very red, and in some places even bluish.

The way allergy pimples look is not comparable to the symptoms of acne. In addition, a true allergic reaction is rarely limited to the face and spreads throughout the body.