Skin Allergies
By John Sanderson, Thu Dec 8th

A skin allergy, or what is correctly called contact dermatitis,occurs when your skin comes in contact with something it isallergic to. There are many things that can cause contactdermatitis such as latex, hair dye, perfumes, make ups, bathpowders and some household cleaning products. Latex skinallergies are becoming more common as latex is used in manyproducts such as condoms, rubber bands, bathing suits and sometoys. It is extremely important if you are allergic to latexthat you advise your physician, dentist or any other healthcareworker so they do not use any latex based products on you. Themost common skin allergens are poison ivy and poison oak. We allknow someone who has come in contact with these in the garden atsome point who have developed the painful and itching weepingblisters that accompany it.

Eczema is also considered a skin allergy. Eczema is generally aninherited trait and it usually starts in childhood. A eczemasufferer will have skin that is dry and itchy. There issometimes also flaking and scaling of the skin and weepingblisters. Children who suffer from eczema are usually found tosuffer from hay

fever and asthma too.

Hives are another form of contact dermatitis that can be broughton from an internal allergen, such as an to food ormedicine, or from an external allergen such as contact with ananimal, some plants (poison ivy or poison oak) or soap products.For some foods like chocolate, nuts, tomatoes, and berries cancause hives. Most hives appear quickly but are gone within 24 to48 hours.

As with other types of allergies such as seasonal pollen, animalallergy or food there is no cure for skin allergies.Most outbreaks of contact dermatitis can be treated with overthe counter antihistamines. The best way to avoid an outbreak isto avoid what is causing the outbreak. You can look for nonallergenic and fragrance free make up and beauty products. Thosewho suffer from eczema should avoid extremes of heat and coldand use heavy moisturizers on their skin to help protect andheal it.

About the author:This article courtesy of http://www.allergies-treatments.com