Individuals and families in North Texas live under humid heat, high winds and icy, cold weather, and that’s just any given week in February. These are the ideal conditions for skin allergies to thrive here, and they do. For the many Texans who live with these conditions, finding relief is a top priority. Let’s look at how allergists treat skin allergies.
How Can an Allergist Identify My Skin Allergies?
Visiting a board-certified allergist is the first step to feeling better. After you identify a reputable allergy treatment center near you, the doctor will begin with allergy testing. There are various types of testing, and the test that’s best for diagnosing skin allergies is determined by your provider after an assessment of your medical history and current symptoms.
After the assessment, they’ll administer either patch testing or a skin-prick test, which is the most common test used for skin allergies. Patch testing takes longer to obtain results, as a patient must wear the patches for 48 hours, while the skin prick test results are available within 20 minutes. Once your allergist determines the allergens that trigger you and which skin condition you have (like contact dermatitis, eczema or hives), they’ll work on creating a specialized treatment plan.
How Allergists Determine Treatment Plans for Skin Allergies
The skin allergy you have determines the treatments that your allergist will choose. They consider your overall health to select the safest, most effective option for relief. The following are three major skin allergies and the treatments available for them.
Contact Dermatitis
If your skin becomes dry, itchy and inflamed, or you develop a rash after coming in contact with certain metals, plants, soaps, fragrances, latex, etc., you may have contact dermatitis. Allergy testing will identify your triggers so you can begin an avoidance protocol. Your allergist may suggest over-the-counter interventions for mild cases, but prescribe corticosteroid pills or topical ointments in more severe situations.
Eczema
Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is the most common inflammatory skin condition out there, affecting 10–30% of children and 2–10% of adults, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. With eczema, patches of inflamed skin are typically flaky, extremely itchy and may blister. They are typically found on the elbows, behind the knees and on the wrists and forearms
Treatment typically involves the application of topical steroids, desensitization techniques, or a combination of both. Allergy shots, also called subcutaneous immunotherapy treatment (SCIT), are used as the main desensitization route. By injecting minuscule (and gradually increasing) doses of potential eczema triggers under the skin, the body lessens its immune response over time.
Hives
Hives are the main other skin allergy. A case of hives features red welts that can appear all over the body, accompanied by intense discomfort. The great news is that there are multiple allergy treatments available. As hives are usually triggered by environmental allergens, the same interventions can be used. This includes SCIT, sublingual immunotherapy treatment (SLIT), and oral immunotherapy treatment (OIT). Both SLIT (also called allergy drops) and OIT expose the body to the offending allergen gradually, and over time can minimize its negative effects
Based on the results of your allergy testing and your medical history, your local allergist will work with you to determine the treatment that’s best for you—and they will continue to monitor and adjust treatments over time.
Get Expert Skin Allergy Care & Relief in North Texas
Soothe your skin and calm your immune system with skin allergy treatments at TexasAllergyMD. With locations in McKinney/Prosper and Southlake, Dr. Mireku provides expert, personalized care for skin, food, environmental and seasonal allergies at our allergy treatment centers. Request an appointment today or call us at (469) 375-1525.
