Allergy

This is a word that has now falsely become synonymous to all skin diseases. Any patient who comes to consult when asked about the complaint would simply say I have an allergy, even if they have an acne on their face. And by allergy they mean due to some food, clothes, medicine, etc. But is it true? Are all skin diseases allergy to something? The answer is NO.

So what is allergy?

So let us not go into the science of it and understand simply. The allergy in question, i.e., due to some food or any other allergen is a very specific type of allergy and causes a few specific diseases, like, urticaria, angioedema, urticarial vasculitis, etc.
All skin diseases are not allergy. Skin diseases are caused by a plethora of reasons and this type of allergy has a role only in very few of them. This misconception has been spread because of the profit people are gaining by doing allergy tests even when not needed. The person being tested is just duped of money and the only person being benefitted is the person doing the test.

Urticaria/Angioedema

Let us understand about the very specific disease this type of allergy causes and how. Urticaria is a very common problem and 20% population encounter it once in their life. It presents as itching and where we itch the area becomes red and slightly swollen. It goes away by itself after some time and may happen at another place. It may happen few times a day.

This happens because we have developed allergy to something, called allergen. The allergens  vary from patient to patient. Whenever we come in contact to this allergen, our body releases a substance called histamine that causes itching, redness and swelling.  Some people may develop swelling due to it like on lips, under the eyes, etc., called as angioedema.

These allergens can be anything, like; Drugs or medicines, additives used in food products, some food items, any infection or infestation, some inhalable substances(like plants, chemicals), etc.

Then some people develop urticaria in response to physical stimulus, like, pressure, vibration, temperature. Some people complain of itching in winters when they do some physical activity or go out in sun, called cholinergic urticaria. Some people develop it after contact with water, like bathing, called Aquagenic urticaria. Urticaria is also found associated with other diseases like thyroid, etc.

So as you can see that anything can cause this allergic urticaria and thus to pin point a cause is very difficult.

So what to do?

You can yourself try to find out what is triggering urticaria. Give a thought whether the urticaria is taking place at a particular place like home only or at workplace, whether it is taking place at a particular time of day, if so take a note of activities you are doing at that time and try to figure out if you can relate to something like food or surrounding plants, etc. Some people have this is a particular season, if so than some plant around you might be triggering it.

You can also maintain a diary and when you get urticaria note down all things you came in contact with that you can remember like food, drugs, any plants or place, etc. Every time you get urticaria keep noting and try to find out if there is anything common among all the episodes. Like this also you may be able to find out a cause.
If you can find something out try to avoid it and it will relieve your disease, but if not consult a dermatologist and he can help you.

There are many safe and effective medicines available which can be safely used over a long term. But remember your prescribing doctor should be a qualified dermatologist and not a self declared skin specialist or quack.

Allergy test

In allergy test your serum is tested against many possible allergens to try and find out what you are allergic to. It is a costly test and not always beneficial. So always go for this test when advised by a dermatologist only and not voluntarily or on advice of anyone else as you might get the test done and not need it.

 
Thus to conclude, all skin diseases are not allergy. Do not get tested unnecessarily for this test. If you have urticaria try to find out a cause. If not, consult a dermatologist.