We all know the tell-tale signs of seasonal allergies: runny nose, red, itchy eyes, and sneezing. About 81 million people in the United States are diagnosed with seasonal allergies, also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis.
Hay fever can cause itchy eyes, nose, and skin. Additionally, hay fever can cause a raised, red, itchy rash, commonly referred to as a hay fever rash.
Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer through seasonal allergy symptoms, whether it’s red eyes, a red nose, or a red, itchy rash. At Sima Stein, MD, located in San Jose, California, board-certified pediatrician Dr. Stein can help determine the cause of your rash or itchy skin and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you stop scratching.
The primary culprits of seasonal allergies are substances inhaled, such as pollen, pet dander, and indoor dust. When you inhale these allergens, your body releases a chemical called histamine that’s supposed to protect your body from these substances. Instead, it causes symptoms such as a runny nose and itchy eyes.
In some cases, histamine causes a reaction in your skin, resulting in a red, inflamed, and itchy rash. You can also develop a hay fever rash through touching pollen, such as when you’re gardening.
This contact rash is also called contact dermatitis, a rash that’s caused by coming into contact with an allergen. Hay fever can also trigger an episode of eczema, an inflammatory skin condition.
People usually experience hay fever rashes in conjunction with other more common hay fever symptoms. Hay fever symptoms come in a variety of forms, depending on the other conditions present. Some symptoms include:
Most hay fever rashes are either red, swollen, or itchy, or all three.
When Dr. Stein develops a treatment plan, she begins with a thorough physical evaluation, health history, and any necessary tests. She recommends keeping a diary of your child’s symptoms to help determine triggers or patterns that may lead to flare-ups.
Antihistamines, a standard treatment for other allergy symptoms, can also be effective in treating rashes. Other treatment options to help prevent and soothe allergic rashes include:
The simplest treatment is to avoid triggers or allergens that cause the rash.
For more information on hay fever rashes and other allergy symptoms, call the office of Sima Stein, MD, or request an appointment online through our online scheduler.
