Allergic eczema is an itchy skin rash that develops when you come into contact with an allergen. It occurs a few hours up to several days after you’ve been exposed to the substance.
You’re exposed to thousands of substances each day, and most don’t cause your immune system to react. In some cases, though, you may come into contact with certain substances that trigger an immune system response — even if they aren’t typically harmful to the body.
These substances are known as allergens. When your body reacts to them, it causes an allergic reaction. While this commonly looks like coughing, runny nose, and difficulty breathing, some reactions can cause skin changes like allergic eczema.
Read on to learn more about allergic eczema, what causes it, and how to treat it.
Allergic eczema is also known as:
- allergic dermatitis
- contact dermatitis
- allergic contact dermatitis
- contact eczema
It occurs when you come into direct contact with an allergen. The condition is known as a “delayed allergy†because it doesn’t trigger an allergic reaction right away. You might notice symptoms in as little as a few hours or as long as 10 days.
Some common triggers for allergic eczema include:
- nickel, which can be found in jewelry, belt buckles, and metal buttons on jeans
- perfumes found in cosmetics
- clothing dyes
- hair dye
- latex
- adhesives
- soaps and cleaning products
- poison ivy and other plants
- antibiotic creams or ointments that are used on the skin
The symptoms of allergic eczema can vary from person to person, and they may also change over time. Symptoms typically develop where contact with the allergen has occurred. In rare cases, symptoms might spread to other areas of the body.
- itching
- a burning sensation or pain
- bumps that may ooze, drain, or crust
- skin discoloration
- warm, tender skin
- scaly, raw, or thickened skin
- dry, rough skin
- inflammation
- rash
First, a doctor will examine your skin to determine whether you have allergic eczema. If they suspect you have the condition, they’ll need to do further testing to find out exactly what you’re allergic to.
Patch test
During a patch test, patches containing common allergens are placed on your back. These patches commonly remain in place for
When the doctor removes the patches, they’ll check for symptoms of an allergic reaction. They commonly check again in a few days.
Biopsy
If a doctor isn’t able to make a diagnosis based on a patch test, further tests may be needed. They may perform a skin lesion biopsy to make sure another health condition isn’t causing your skin condition.
During the biopsy, the doctor will remove a small sample of the affected skin. They’ll then send it to a laboratory for testing.
Treatment for allergic eczema depends on the severity of your symptoms. In all cases, though, it’s important to wash the affected skin with plenty of water to remove traces of the allergen.
You may not need additional treatment if your symptoms are mild and don’t bother you. However, you might want to use a moisturizing cream to keep the skin hydrated and repair damage. Over-the-counter (OTC) corticosteroid creams can help with itching and inflammation.
Your doctor may recommend prescription-strength ointments or creams if your symptoms are severe. They may also prescribe corticosteroid pills if needed.
With the proper treatment, you can expect allergic eczema to generally clear up within 2 to 3 weeks. However, the condition may return if you’re exposed to the allergen again.
Identifying the allergen that caused your eczema and taking steps to avoid it are critical in preventing future reactions.
Allergic eczema, also called contact dermatitis, is a type of skin rash that occurs when you have an allergic reaction to a certain substance. Some common triggers include soaps, perfumes, and plants like poison ivy.
It can occur a few hours or several days after you’re exposed to the trigger. While it often clears up on its own, you may need to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.