Do you need to take medicine for skin allergies?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Whether or not you need to take medication for skin allergies depends on the amount and area of your allergies. If the allergic area is small and limited, we can generally use topical medications and avoid oral medications. However, if the allergic area is extensive and covers a large area, we usually recommend timely oral medications and, if necessary or in severe cases, intravenous administration.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Do you need to take medicine for skin allergies?

Whether or not you need to take medication for skin allergies depends on the amount and area of your allergies. If the allergic area is small and limited, we can generally use topical medications and avoid oral medications. However, if the allergic area is extensive and covers a large area, we usually recommend timely oral medications and, if necessary or in severe cases, intravenous administration.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Is skin allergy contagious?

Skin allergies are not contagious. When skin allergies occur, it is essential to identify the allergen and determine the cause. Skin allergies often manifest as dermatitis, eczema, urticaria, and other allergic diseases, and can also present as diseases such as angioneurotic edema. Common symptoms include itching, papules, swelling, and rash patches, but there is no need to worry too much as they are not contagious.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Causes of skin allergies

The causes of skin allergies are mainly related to exposure to allergens, and different people have different allergens. For some, it might be medications, for others, it could be foods, and for some, environmental factors might be the allergens. Regardless of the type of allergen, it is necessary to actively conduct examinations and identify the causes, while also treating the skin allergy promptly.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Can people with skin allergies eat persimmons?

Patients with skin allergies can generally eat persimmons. Persimmons are cold in nature and sweet in taste. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, persimmons have the effects of clearing heat, transforming phlegm, moisturizing the lungs, and stopping coughs. Clinically, it is very rare to see patients who are allergic to persimmons. Therefore, in general, people with skin allergies can eat persimmons. However, persimmons should not be eaten in excess or on an empty stomach, as they may form indigestible hard masses in the stomach, which are not conducive to digestion and elimination, leading to the so-called persimmon bezoar syndrome. This condition can cause stomach bleeding and gastric perforation in patients with gastric ulcers.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
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What should I do if I have skin allergies and itching?

Skin allergies and itching require actively searching for the triggering factors, i.e., allergens. Identifying what has irritated the skin and caused the allergic reaction is crucial, then avoiding further contact to prevent recurrence or worsening of the condition. If the allergy is triggered by consuming fish, shrimp, seafood, tropical fruits, etc., it is important to avoid eating similar foods in the future. If the use of certain cosmetics or skin care products causes allergies, avoid using other products containing the same ingredients. If the allergy is caused by certain medications, typically appearing within four days to a month of usage, it is advised to switch medications and avoid taking the same one again. For more severe allergic symptoms, such as significant itching, oral antihistamines like loratadine, desloratadine, cetirizine, and ebastine can be taken. Topical anti-itch medications like calamine lotion can be used, and for more severe conditions, topical corticosteroids or tacrolimus ointment can be applied. If symptoms do not improve or worsen with the aforementioned treatments, short-term oral steroids might be considered to manage the condition. (Note: Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)