Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

Tattoo allergies may be a concern when you are considering taking the leap for that cool tattoo.  When considering whether to get a tattoo or not most people don’t realize that they may experience an allergic reaction to the tattoo.  Though this is rare it can be scary and it will take away from the experience of getting that much wanted tattoo.

Rare as it is tattoo allergies are getting more attention because tattoos themselves have become much more mainstream.  Once something associated with the Harley Davidson crowd,  men and women of varying ages are using it as a form of expression.  Older folks are not as willing to put up with discomfort without complaining to a doctor, usually their dermatologist.

Tattoo allergies are usually considered an allergic reaction to the ink being used for the tattoo.  The ink has materials that let’s face it are foreign to the human body.  Some past inks that are not used as much are red and yellow inks that used to contain mercury in them.  Today there still are inks that can trigger allergic reactions though.  They may contain cadmium, nickel and chromium.  As someone getting a tattoo odds are you are not reading the ingredients on the bottle of ink the tattoo artist is using so you need to be ready to ask them.

Sadly the truth is you may not be able to avoid tattoo allergies even with research.  Many times the allergic reaction does not take place until maybe years later so testing yourself beforehand may seem like a safe bet for avoiding tattoo allergies but in reality it isn’t a guarantee.

When a tattoo allergy manifests itself a rash and possible inflammation occurs on the tattoo site.  Some people see this reaction based on the weather and even when they may be sick with a fever.  Itchiness can also be a sign that may show up more during hot weather.

If you do develop a tattoo allergy you can try over the counter creams to treat your rash like hydrocortizone and antibiotic creams.  As a safer bet you may want to consult with your dermatologist first because some information online suggests that the creams themselves may be causing the bad reactions.

Besides not getting a tattoo at all making sure your tattoo artist uses acceptable practices for cleanliness won’t hurt.  If you are predisposed to allergies already odds are that you may end up experiencing tattoo allergies so researching ink ingredients and discussing them with your tattoo artist may also help you avoid tattoo allergies.  Please keep in mind though that a tattoo allergy is statistically rare.

Skin allergies and rashes seem to go hand in hand but that is not always the case.  Rashes can be caused by serious illnesses like chicken pox(and shingles), measles, and rosacea.  Skin allergies are caused by reactions to contact with certain things or even reactions to medicines like penicillin.  Particular allergic reactions that involve the skin are hives that can be the cause of anything from food allergies to seasonal allergies.

Though skin allergies can be embarrassing it is important to make sure you tell your doctor about them.  With children it is also important to let them know not to be embarrassed and to communicate with their parents and their health care providers.  Skin allergy symptoms like itching can be painful but also can be a symptom of something more serious so don’t let embarrassment and the gross factor stop you from getting the help you or your child may need.

So what causes skin allergies?  As mentioned before food allergies can cause hives which are a form of skin allergy.  Another type of skin allergy that can affect many people without them knowing is contact dermatitis which basically is the inflammation of the skin when someone comes in contact with something.  The culprits can include:

• Metals
• Chemicals
• Rubber
• Plants – Flowers
• Pets – Cats and Dogs

The resulting symptoms can include redness, swelling, burning, stinging, itching, and blisters. These symptoms usually appear on the face and hands.

Prickly heat is also one of those innocent seeming skin allergies that pop up in both children and adults who seem particularly sensitive to artificial heat.  Many of my family members seem to experience this in houses with forced hot air systems for heat.  It is usually a mild reaction with small red dots and minor itching that goes away pretty quickly.  Heat is not the only cause of prickly heat since it could be a symptom of other allergies as well.

Food allergies can cause many rashes including Uritcaria.  This rash has burned type of look to it with the outer edges being a lighter red than the middle which can be very read.  Eczema is probably one of the better known skin allergies next to hives perhaps.  It is often associated with asthma as well as allergies and can be quite dramatic and widespread on the body.  The raised red patches of skin can be very dry and itchy and can be on the face and hands which make it particularly uncomfortable for the sufferer.  Though there are many creams that attempt to treat Eczema some cases do not really get much better with those treatments.  Managing what your skin is reacting to is can impact the severity of the Eczema particularly for those that see a correlation between their Eczema and food allergies for example.

Hives are red and itchy patches of skin. There are 2 kinds of hives. Acute hives can last up to 6 weeks. They are caused by food allergies, medications, bug bites, and signs of diseases. Chronic hives thankfully are not very common. The last indefinitely, on and off over long periods of time. The causes for chronic hives is not currently known. Some doctors think they may be stress induced.

Skin allergies can take some time to treat.  Meeting with a dermatologist and an allergist can provide you with a path to the relief of skin discomfort.  There are many over the counter remedies they may recommend like cortizone creams.  Some cases may require the use of allergy shots to help manage your skin allergies.

An allergy to deodorants doesn’t have to leave you without friends. Deodorants can sometimes cause allergic reactions and many people are afraid to talk about it. They are very self-conscious because an allergy and deodorant combination doesn’t seem to leave you with many options for smelling fresh. People use deodorant to prevent body odor. They wear it under their arms where we tend to sweat the most and the sweat mixes with the deodorant to produce a more pleasant odor. However, what happens if you are allergic to the very deodorant that you are using to help you smell better?

First Confirm Your Allergy to Deodorants

If you’re not sure if you are allergic to deodorant, there are certain signs that you can look out for. For instance, if, after applying the deodorant, you notice a rash of any kind, or a series of red and inflamed bumps, or anything else out of the ordinary, it’s recommended that you stop using that deodorant immediately. Just because you have an allergic reaction to one deodorant doesn’t necessarily mean you are allergic to all deodorants. Try switching brands.

In some ways an allergy to deodorants is like a perfume allergy. If you’ve ever walked into a department store you know what I mean. As soon as you pass the perfume counter you get sprayed with the latest scent. I personally can only use certain perfume brands. Some of the others are too strong and give me sinus problems.

Switching Brands Doesn’t Work

If you find that after trying many brands you still are experiencing allergic reactions it is time to explore some alternatives. Yes, smelling good did exist before Secret or Old Spice! You need to find options to control your sweat and help you smell good. If you have children you might have something right in your bathroom that works. The baby powder you use on your baby can help you both control the sweat and keep you from smelling as though you just came from the gym. Since it isn’t the standard stronger deodorant that people use you may consider carrying some around with you to be prepared to add more when needed.

Seek an Expert Opinion

If you’re still not sure whether or not you’re allergic to deodorant, consult an allergist. An allergist can test you to see what you are really allergic to. Other possible allergens could be perfume or soap. Trying unscented brands of deodorants and soaps may help but only an allergist can confirm whether you truly are allergic to deodorants. An allergy and deodorant combination does not have to leave you out in the cold. Confirm your allergy and then try some of the options mentioned above. Your allergist can also provide you with alternatives since they deal with these things regularly.

Many people seemed to think that dogs are immune from many of our ailments but they are not. Dogs get skin allergies just like some of us do. Dog skin allergies can make your dog’s life miserable. Most dog owners think of their pet as a member of their family so you want to make sure that you help them feel better if you can. They can’t talk so it is up to you to notice their symptoms.

What Are Some of the Symptoms of Dog Skin Allergies?

If your pet is consistently scratching or sneezing whenever they come in from outside, or if you notice a rash on their skin, your pet may have dog skin allergies. Dog skin allergies can cause your pet to break out in rashes. In many cases they can even lose their fur in certain areas of their body. Depending on the severity of the dog skin allergy, you should take your pet into the vet at the first sign of an allergic reaction to determine what is causing your dog’s skin allergy.

The Vet is Your Best Bet

A variety of things can be causing your dog’s allergic reaction. Only a visit to your veterinarian can confirm your suspicions. If this is the case, your vet can test your pet to see what he or she is allergic to and what is causing their dog skin allergic reactions. If it’s something that’s in your yard, such as a certain plant or flower, you should get rid of it immediately. Similarly, if it’s something in your house that is causing your dog’s skin allergy, you should remove that, as well. Your vet may also be able to prescribe some kind of medication, either topical or ingested, that can help to alleviate some of the symptoms they are experiencing.

Dog is man’s best friend and, for that reason, you want to make sure your pet is in top physical condition. If they are constantly suffering and you make no effort to find out why, you aren’t showing your pet the love they deserve. Make an appointment with the vet to see what is causing this discomfort. If your vet determines that your dog has dog skin allergies, ask what can be done about it. If something needs to be removed from your house or yard, then remove it, your pet is well worth it.

Your Dog Can Have a Normal Life

Dog skin allergies can affect the quality of your dog’s life. It is up to you to pay attention to them and examine them when they are showing symptoms of dog skin allergies. Your veterinarian will give you the strategies and treatment options to help you manage the dog skin allergies. It is up to you to make sure you do everything to make sure the canine member of the family is feeling as well as he can.