Some of these symptoms include joint pains, muscle pains, headaches, stomach aches, asthma and acne. Allergic symptoms may also not develop at once, occurring as long as two to seventy-two hours after exposure, making it difficult to link them with the substance you are hypersensitive to. In these cases you need to undergo an allergy skin test to identify just what you are allergic to.

When you have an allergy skin test, a small drop of the suspected allergen is placed on the skin then scratched with a sterile needle. If the skin reddens and swells, then the test is considered positive. The test is usually performed either on the forearm or the back. Positive results imply that the patient has IgE antibodies on specialized skin cells (called mast cells) that release histamines which cause the redness and itchiness associated with an allergic reaction.

These skin tests may not be suitable for all sufferers however, in which case blood tests to identify allergens are conducted. One of these blood tests is the Elisa/ACT, which checks for delayed hypersensitivity to all foods as well as additives, preservatives and chemicals (from pesticides, soaps and other sources); another is the Radioallergosorbent (RAST) test. A small amount of blood is taken from the sufferer and analyzed for the presence of IgE antibodies to specific allergens. These blood tests are seen by doctors as being not as effective as skin tests and are more expensive, but are also useful in identifying hidden allergens.

It’s estimated that up to 10 percent of the American population suffers from some form of skin allergy, or contact dermititis as it’s known in the medical community. Symptoms suffered by these folks range from mild itching to severe discomfort, rashes and hives. There’s a wide variety of skin allergies, but some of the most common include:

Atopic Dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a common skin allergy among young children, although young adults and older adults can also suffer from it. The rash associated with atopic dermatitis usually manifests itself on the chest, scalp or cheeks in babies. In older children and adults, the allergy usually manifests in the skin folds of the elbows and the area behind the knees, but the rash can also appear in other places such as the hands, neck, feet and/or back.

Hives, known by the medical community as urticaria, is a rash that manifests as red bumps or welts and can

Urticaria, commonly called hives, is an itchy rash that can occur at any age. This rash appears as raised red bumps of various shapes and sizes, and typically lasts for only minutes to hours. Occasionally, people suffering from the hives can experience swelling of the lips, hands, feet and eyes. Severe cases of the hives can block airways and be life-threatening.

Lastly, there’s contact dermatitis. This is caused by skin contact with an irritant that causes a reaction, such as hives or a rash. There’s a wide variety of natural and chemical irritants that can cause contact dermatitis, such as detergent, dye, cosmetics, plants and metals. An allergy test performed by a health care provider can determine what you’re allergic to. One of the most common types of allergy test is a skin prick test, which is done by placing a suspected allergen on a small area of skin and then pricking the skin with a needle to allow the allergen entry. If the treated area develops a rash or hives, your allergy has been found.

In treating skin allergies, avoiding what you’re allergic too is the best way to prevent an outbreak. Other treatments include antihistamines, or topical or oral hydrocortisones. Hydrocortisones are a form of steroid that can act as an anti-inflammatory medication.