Allergic reactions to environmental, chemical, cosmetic and food allergens can cause skin symptoms such as dryness, itching, flaking, scaling, redness, swelling and inflammation. Skin eczema, contact dermatitis, rashes, hives and sun-sensitivity can also be triggered by allergies. Eczema is a broad term for allergic skin conditions that cause itchiness, dryness, inflammation and skin thickening. Skin allergy symptoms are also often linked with asthma, hay fever and food allergies.
Hives
Hives are raised, red and itchy spots on the skin that usually appear for a few hours or less before disappearing. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, this skin reaction may occur due to contact dermatitis caused by a latex allergy. Other causes include food allergies, stress reactions to allergens, hay fever, and allergies to pet and animal fur and dander.
Itching
Itchy skin is a symptom of allergic reactions such as hay fever, eczema and other rash-like reactions to chemical irritants and contact dermatitis. Particularly in infants and children, scratching the skin in attempts to relieve itchiness causes further redness, inflammation, swelling, tenderness, discomfort and even bleeding. Scratching the skin can also spread the skin reaction to a larger area of the body.
Inflammation
Inflammation of the skin is noticeable by redness, swelling, tenderness and increased sensitivity. This may be caused by contact dermatitis, in which a chemical or environmental allergy trigger such as latex, household cleaning supplies, mold sprays and pollen comes in direct contact with the skin causing irritation. It is also caused by skin eczema associated asthma, hay fever and food allergies.
Dryness
Dry skin is a symptom of allergies such as eczema, asthma and dermatitis. It commonly occurs on the lower legs, arms and hands but can occur any where on the body. It can lead to excessive dryness, redness, flaking, blisters and cracked skin. Chemical irritants and contact dermatitis also cause dryness, particularly on the hands and fingers.
Swelling
Swelling of the skin can occur in moderate to severe cases of skin eczema and contact dermatitis, and can be worsened by scratching irritated skin. It is a dramatic symptom of an anaphylactic reaction caused by a food allergy, and usually causes swelling in the eyes, lips and face.
