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How does a contact allergy develop?
A contact allergy develops, when the skin or mucous membrane comes into direct contact with the substance, against which there is sensitivity. This sensitivity must have developed during an earlier contact (a sensitisation phase). The substances, that cause contact allergy or another kind of allergy, are called allergenes. During the first contact with the substance causing allergy, no allergic reaction occurs, but the body prepares for following contacts and develops an immune response. During the next contact, there is a reaction. An existing sensibility leads to activating the immune system of the skin. On the skin, an inflammatory reaction begins, to combat allergens. Repeated contact with the allergen causes reddening and swelling of the skin, visible to the affected person, which is accompanied by an extreme itching and sometimes burning as well.
Later very small blisters develop that finally heal which is accompanied by a dry skin and scale formation.
In the acute stage, the disease is called contact dermatitis. It becomes chronic and contact eczema develops since the body always has contact with the substance causing allergy.
Which substances can cause contact allergy? The environment contains many possible contact allergens.Among them are chemical compounds such as for example preservatives or artificial colours, but also natural products such as latex or essential oil.
Buying natural products does not prevent from developing of allergy, on the contrary. The most famous example is frequent contact allergies to marigold salve or arnica paints.
What are the most frequent contact allergies? Every year, the german contact allergy group develops a hitlist of the most frequent allergies. For a couple of years, nickel, jeans button allergy or a fashionable jewelry allergy, has been at the top of this list (17 percent of all allergies) followed by a mix of fragrances (cosmetic or perfume allergy) with 12,6 percent and peru balm (cosmetics, flavouring substance allergy) with 9,8 percent.
Which examinations does a doctor carry out if contact allergy is suspected? If contact allergy is suspected, a patch test with different substances is carried out. The doctor tests the most frequent allegens from “the hitlist” and makes a number of tests with substances from a certain life or professional area, with which the patient has possibly been in contact (for example, ointment bases, cosmetic brands or hairstyle brands).
These tests, each test substance numbered, are stuck onto the back and are left there for two days. After two or three days, the doctor reads the result. If a relevant reaction (reddening, blisters) is visible on the back, the patient gets an allergy pass.
How is a contact allergy treated? First, contact allergy triggers are identified. When it is clear, which substance causes allergy, it can be avoided in the future, and contact dermatitis or contact ekzema heal.
For an external treatment in an acute case, ointments and cremes comprising cortison as well as fat replenishing body care products are very suitable.
If contact dermatitis is very distinctive and persistent, a medicamental therapy against inflammation and itching is sometimes needed.
What must be paid attention to if you have contact allergy? Always carry your allergy pass with you and present it to each new doctor or pharmacist. It can be also presented when buying a new body care product, and this way it can be determined very quickly whether it contains the substance, you are allergic to.
Of cource, those affected should avoid the substances that cause allergy. If professional stuffs are responsible for allergy, it can often have serious consequences. The responsible professional association must be involved. Sometimes it is enough to use suitable protection measures at the working place, such as for example, gloves, in order to prevent contact with allergies. Still changing a position inside the company or a completely new professional occupation is often needed.
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