Allergy is a common word and many people assume their skin trouble is due to an allergy, but this is rarely true. Less than 5 per cent of all patients attending skin clinics suffer from a true allergy.
An allergic rash can be caused by a substance coming into contact with the skin or can be a reaction to something entering the body. There are two kinds of skin (contact) allergy - eczema and nettle rash. Eczema is the commonest type of allergy. The skin reacts to contact with a substance (the allergen) by becoming red and itchy. The skin becomes dry and scaly in more chronic cases. The skin blisters or weeps. The common causes of this kind of skin allergy are metal allergy (nickel allergy), perfume allergy and cosmetic allergy.
One in ten women suffers from metal allergy. It is a reaction to nickel which is present in most metals, especially those used in cheap jewelry. Many women develop itching in the ears from such earrings and solve the problem by changing to sterling silver or gold jewelry. Foreign silver, rolled gold and gold plating all contain nickel and cause eczema. All such jewelry should be given away, otherwise the temptation to wear it is occasionally irresistible among women, and itchy weeping ears are the result. The same problem sometimes arises from jeans studs, and results in a patch of eczema near the belly button. Watches, safety pins, bra clips and zip can also cause the same problem. Persistent wearing of nickel can make the rash spread all over the body.
Perfumes have many different allergens. Allergy to perfume can be a great nuisance as most cosmetics contain some sort of perfume. Even soaps, hair oils, shampoos and toiletries are perfumed and trigger off the eczema. Persons prone to such allergies should switch to baby products, but those are also perfumed and sometimes the allergic reaction continues.
Cosmetic allergies are very common. All cosmetics contain potential allergens. The commonest are lanolin, perfumes. Cosmetic allergy usually causes a rash on the face - the very sensitive areas around the eyes being worst affected, become very swollen and itchy. Nail varnish can cause contact eczema of the areas of skin touched by the finger nails, e.g. eyelids and neck. That is why herbal cosmetics are preferred these days. Herbal cosmetics do contain fewer allergens than conventional ones. Hypo-allergenic cosmetics can also cause allergies, as all compounds are potential allergens and they contain lanolin and preservatives. Hair dye usually causes a problem and it should be tested before use. A severe reaction involves the whole face and extends to the shoulders and the rest of the body. Rubber allergy also causes rash over the backs of the hands and wrists. Rubber gloves and rubber shoes trigger off a reaction. To cope with contact eczema, avoid the allergen and the rash will go away. The initial discomfort can be helped by steroid creams from your doctor.
Nettle rash (contact urticaria) is rare but some people react within minutes of skin contact with certain foods, e.g. fish, eggs, animal fur and other compounds. They get weals on the skin. This also happens when stung by a nettle. Consult a doctor.
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