Most everybody knows that allergies can trigger itchy eyes, cause you to sneeze, and make your nose run like a faucet. But allergies can also affect your skin.
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Here are some of the most common skin-related manifestations of allergy:
- Hives. Hives are raised bumps on the skin that are red or flesh-colored. They are itchy and may be as small as a pencil eraser or band together in clusters to form larger bumps that are a few inches wide. Hives can develop anywhere on the body.
- Angioedema. Like hives, angioedema can appear as raised, red welts, but it affects deeper layers of the skin. When you press on the welts, they tend to feel thick and firm. Angioedema usually forms near the eyes, cheeks, and lips. In some cases, it can cause swelling in the mouth and throat.
- Eczema. Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema manifests as rough, inflamed patches on the skin. It is common in children and can be intensely itchy. It often develops on the inside creases of the elbows and knees.
These skin conditions can be triggered by different allergens including food, airborne pollens, pet dander, and insect stings. They can also develop as a reaction to agents like laundry detergent, medications, or latex.
Allergy-related skin ailments may flare up acutely (for six weeks or less) or chronically (for more than six weeks). (Eczema tends to be chronic.) Most people can expect to develop at least one of these conditions at some point in their lifetime. For example, you may have had a quick flare-up of hives in reaction to something in your environment. In many cases, you can treat your symptoms with antihistamines and topical creams and feel as good as new a couple days later. If your skin allergies develop frequently or last for a long time, however, allergy treatment may be in order.
Fortunately, you may not need to look farther than your primary care physician to get treatment. At AllergyEasy, we help primary care doctors prescribe sublingual immunotherapy to treat allergy-related conditions such as hives, angioedema, and eczema.
Sublingual immunotherapy works like allergy shots, desensitizing the body to allergens in the environment so that it will stop overreacting to them. Instead of being injected into the skin, though, the antigen is dispensed under the tongue where it can absorb into the bloodstream. SLIT is safer than shots and can be administered at home.
Physicians can incorporate our turnkey allergy treatment program into their practice, allowing them to better address their patients’ allergies while increasing their practice revenue.
