six different substances, including several that are commonly found in skincare products. These were causing her allergic contact dermatitis.
The allergies developed over time after repeated exposure, so Schoeben had become increasingly sensitive to them.
“It turns out that most of the things that I’m allergic to are very common ingredients in a lot of products,” Schoeben said. “I’m allergic to a type of formaldehyde that’s in a lot of skincare products and shampoos. I’m also allergic to beeswax. It was frustrating because I had been using these products for years without realizing they were the cause of my allergic reactions.”
Common causes of allergic reactions include poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac, but also rubber, dyes, cosmetics, preservatives, fragrances and metals such as nickel.
The most effective way to treat allergic contact dermatitis is by identifying and avoiding substances that cause the allergic reaction.
For atopic dermatitis, treatment options include steroids that can be applied to the skin and phototherapy, which uses ultraviolet light to reduce inflammation and ease itch. Other options are medications called biologics and JAK inhibitors.
Lifestyle changes can also relieve eczema symptoms, Yu said. Choosing fragrance-free products can help limit eczema flares.
Types of Allergy Tests
There are several methods for allergy testing, including:
- Skin Prick Tests: Small amounts of allergens are applied to the skin with a tiny needle. If a child is allergic, a small raised bump (wheal) will develop at the test site.
- Blood Tests: These tests measure the level of specific antibodies (IgE) in the blood in response to various allergens. Common blood tests for allergies include the ImmunoCAP test and the RAST test.
- Patch Tests: Used to diagnose contact allergies, patch tests involve applying small amounts of allergens to adhesive patches, which are then placed on the skin for a specific period.
- Oral Food Challenges: Sometimes, a healthcare provider may recommend supervised food challenges to confirm food allergies. This is done in a controlled environment, typically in a clinic or hospital.
People with eczema should test new skincare products by first applying them to a quarter-sized patch of skin on the inside of the arm every day for four weeks before using the product more widely.
If you have signs of eczema, it’s important to see a dermatologist.
“Patients can have atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis at the same time, and it all looks like the same thing,” Yu said.
“I imagine it like layers of a cake,” he continued. “Maybe the first layer is atopic dermatitis, and then the second layer is allergic contact dermatitis. In these cases, the overall eczema may look very severe, but once you remove the allergic component, the eczema seems much more manageable.”
Eczema is a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation, itching, and dryness. It typically appears during childhood and can continue into adulthood, although its severity often varies over time. Eczema can be triggered or exacerbated by a wide range of factors, including genetics, environmental factors, and allergies.
Eczema is a challenging condition for both children and their parents, but advancements in our understanding of the relationship between eczema and allergies are providing new hope for better management. By identifying and addressing specific allergies through appropriate testing, children with eczema can experience improved symptom control and a better quality of life. If your child is struggling with eczema, it’s essential to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine if further allergy testing is necessary and to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to their specific needs.