Allergic skin reactions can be broadly divided into 2 types:
Immediate reactions tend to develop very quickly, within minutes or hours after the body encounters the allergen. In severe cases, anaphylaxis may develop.
Allergens that are well known to trigger immediate skin reactions include:
Delayed skin reactions can present in a myriad of patterns eg: eczema, maculopapular rash, or rarely a blistering skin eruption. The rash typically occurs many hours or days after exposure to the allergen.
Allergens that are well known to trigger delayed skin reactions include:
The most important part of an allergy assessment is the doctor taking a detailed medical history. A good medical history is often all that is required to confirm or rule out an allergy.
Allergy testing may be recommended if the history is inconclusive and/ or your doctor suspects an allergy. There are different types of allergy tests available and your doctor will recommend the most suitable test depending on what type of allergy you are suspected to have.
Types of allergy testing: Blood test / Skin Prick test / Skin Patch test / Challenge