An allergy is a peculiar reaction of the body to the presence of an irritant. This problem can arise in any person, regardless of gender, nationality and age category. Approximately 70% of the world's population is allergic to irritants.
This disease manifests itself in various forms, such as rashes, redness, itching and other complications. Manifestations of the disease occur in any part of the body, for example, those who have a fungal infection or wear tight shoes are more susceptible to allergies on their feet, photos of such cases clearly demonstrate what this leads to.
What does an allergy on the legs look like, photo
Allergies on the feet have a large number of manifestations and this disease is often mistakenly confused with other diseases of the feet or skin. The most common and frequent symptoms include itching, redness and rash on the surface of the skin.
Redness in the form of spots can take on various shapes, colors, periodically appear and disappear. It is necessary to remember that any allergy does not change the structure and density of the skin.
There are 5 groups of allergic reactions in the form of spots:
- Redness that appears throughout the body and periodically disappears on its own is called sudden, and most often occurs as urticaria.
- Pink areas - they partially rise above the plane of the skin, if the redness is oblong and oval in shape on the limbs, abdomen or chest - this is a possible consequence of pityriasis rosea.
- Small red spots all over the body appear due to the ingestion of any allergen in food.
- A pinkish, tan-like rash with swelling and severe itching is a sign of photodermatosis.
- Thickening of the skin, the appearance of a large number of reddish-pink spots on the body with characteristic severe itching, which after a short time begin to become covered with silvery scales - a sign of psoriasis.
Treatment
To make an accurate diagnosis of the disease, you should seek advice from a qualified specialist at the first symptoms of irritation on the legs. An experienced doctor, having studied the general condition of the skin surface and taking into account individual characteristics, will select the most optimal course of treatment.
First of all, it will be necessary to eliminate the main reasons that caused the formation of irritation on the legs, be it an allergen or constant mechanical contact. Only after this can you move on to eliminating unpleasant symptoms and treating inflammation of the skin. In this case, modern medications and remedies will help. They perfectly soothe irritation, relieve redness of certain areas of the skin and itching. In addition, most medications reduce sensitivity by nourishing and moisturizing dry skin on the feet. Cleansing medications can prevent relapse by gently eliminating irritants. Your doctor can recommend the most appropriate medication. As a rule, they are available in the form of ointments, gels or creams.
note
Skin rashes are dangerous due to the addition of secondary reactions - pyoderma of the skin, erosion, ulcers, cracks, depigmentation of the skin and its thickening.
Causes of foot allergies
There are many reasons for redness, rashes and other allergy symptoms on the feet.
The most common are:
- Wearing incorrect, uncomfortable or tight shoes.
- Contact of household chemicals on the skin of the feet.
- Various diseases and skin infections.
- Allergy to pet fur.
- The carrier has a fungus.
- Presence of dust mites.
- Low-quality shoes made from controversial and cheap materials.
Also, a rash on the legs may appear due to contact with any allergen or external irritant.
For each person, this reaction may be individual and have no analogues. Signs of an allergic reaction may also occur due to eating certain foods or using medications.
Common Causes
Prickly heat
Quite often, a rash on the arms and legs appears due to prickly heat in warmer seasons. To prevent this disease, it is necessary to dress according to the weather so that the body sweats as little as possible. In addition, when choosing clothes you should not skimp, since cheap fabrics do not allow the pores to fully “breathe”.
- 1. cold (formed in some cases during prolonged exposure to the cold);
- 2. mechanical (manifested due to frequent changes in blood pressure);
- 3. contact (transmitted through physical contact).
Infection
The infectious nature of the rash can be determined independently by the characteristic symptoms. As a rule, this is dizziness, nausea, fever to febrile or subfebrile levels. Not all symptoms may appear, but if you have at least one, you should call a doctor at home as soon as possible. In this case, you should not visit a medical facility on your own, since the infection can easily spread through airborne droplets. You should know that it is better not to treat the rash with anything, as this will complicate the process of determining the diagnosis. In most cases, such ailments can be successfully treated at home, however, in especially severe cases, a hospital stay is required.
A rash in the groin area is common. The nature of such a rash is slightly different from other types of this disease. This is often caused by uncomfortable clothing, which constantly rubs the private parts. The cause may also be a lack of personal hygiene or too sensitive skin in a given part of the body. You should try replacing regular soap with a softer one that will not cause irritation.
Types and symptoms of allergies on the feet
There are 3 types of allergic reactions:
- Food – occurs after eating a product to which the body reacts negatively and repulsively.
- Respiratory (respiratory) - appears when inhaling toxic fumes, household chemicals, cosmetics that contain an allergen.
- Contact – by direct touching a specific stimulus. Often occurs in cases of allergies to animal fur.
This disease can also occur with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation or cold water. Also, allergens do not necessarily enter the body from the external environment; there are cases of a negative reaction to a person’s own substances produced in a person.
The main symptoms of an allergic reaction are:
- Redness.
- The appearance of spots of different colors on any part of the body.
- Itching in areas of redness.
- Rash all over the body.
- Painful sensations.
This list can be supplemented in specific individual cases, but this is just a list of standard and most common symptoms.
Types of skin rashes
There are several types of rash manifestations:
- 1. spots - rashes that do not protrude above the level of the skin;
- 2. blisters - unlike spots, protrude above the skin and have watery contents;
- 3. papules - their appearance resembles nodes, which are a benign neoplasm;
- 4. blisters - transparent new growths on the skin with liquid contents. In advanced cases, they begin to fester;
- 5. erythema - many red spots on the skin of a lumpy nature. This symptom indicates an allergic reaction to food;
- 6. ulcers and erosions - mainly appear as a result of damage to the upper layers of the skin of a traumatic nature;
- 7. crusts - sometimes appear at the site of the rash, which indicates the beginning of recovery.
Diagnostic methods
Symptoms consistent with allergies can also be a sign of other infectious and skin diseases. Therefore, as soon as such a problem arises, you should seek help from a dermatologist; he will be able to prescribe a special examination and identify the real reason for the manifestation of such a reaction in the body.
If after examination the presence of an allergy is confirmed, the doctor must prescribe special medications. It is also very important to determine what exactly the body reacts to in order to subsequently avoid such a situation.
Methods for treating allergic rashes on the legs
There are many methods, drugs and methods for treating and preventing allergies. The principle of treatment depends on the severity and extent of the disease; in some cases, it is enough simply not to contact the irritant, and in case of a severe reaction of the body, it is necessary to use plasmapheresis.
Local remedies
Local remedies are used in case of rash, redness and itching, when the allergic reaction is not so strong and does not threaten deterioration of health. Doctors prescribe specialized ointments for patients, for example Elokom, Irikar, Advantan, Soderm, Fenistil and others.
Oral medications
These products are divided into drops and tablets. They are used if the allergy has clinical manifestations in several body systems, which in turn threatens complications.
Common tablets include:
- Cetrilev.
- Elem.
- Zodak.
- Eridez.
- Allertek.
- Cetrin.
From drops for oral administration:
- Zaditor.
- Zodak.
- Parlazin.
- Fenistil.
All of these drugs eliminate the manifestations of the disease and prevent the recurrence of symptoms.
Traditional methods
In addition to medications, there are also many traditional methods for combating allergies:
- Juice from cucumber or apple applied to the surface of the redness eliminates itching.
- Take two tablespoons of geranium and brew in a half-liter container for several hours; the resulting liquid must be cooled and rubbed into the affected skin.
- Juice from celery root, after use on the area with redness, removes all symptoms; you should use it 1 tablespoon three times a day.
Hygiene features
There is a theory according to which, due to the constant use of hygiene products throughout life, the body is not sufficiently loaded, as a result of which it begins to react aggressively to substances. Experts have not yet determined whether this version is true or not.
The choice of personal hygiene products should be approached carefully, since they often contain substances to which people are allergic. Also, using the cheapest products with unknown contents can lead to such a reaction in the body.
Diet
If you have a severe food allergy, you should switch to a special diet that prevents the intake of all kinds of irritants.
First of all, you need to take no more than 7 grams of salt per day and avoid these products:
- Meat and fish.
- Caviar.
- Cheese.
- Confectionery and sugar.
- All fruits that are red or orange in color.
- Coffee.
- Chocolate.
- Alcohol.
- All manufactured products.
- Highly salted foods.
- Pineapple and melon.
You can also add to this list certain foods to which a person has his own intolerance.
Other pathologies
Infections and contact with an allergen are not all the reasons why the described problem may occur. Meanwhile, the symptoms can be very similar, which often causes difficulties even for specialists at the diagnostic stage.
- Herpes. If you carefully examine the area of the dermis affected by herpes, you can see small blisters and irritation on the reddened skin. There are also other signs of the disease. They affect the general condition, with the person complaining of pain, fever, weakness, severe itching in the place where there are visible rashes.
- Diabetes. With the development of this endocrinological disease, the skin ceases to function as it did before the onset of the disease. Each layer of it undergoes changes, especially in severe cases of pathology. So, immediately go to an endocrinologist if: your skin is unnaturally dry,
- peeling is often observed,
- You can regularly see microcracks,
- redness on the leg itches,
- the skin is rough and flaccid.
Prevention measures
To prevent an allergic reaction, you must follow several rules:
- This disease is often inherited, so you should find out if relatives have unusual reactions to foods and other substances.
- Timely treatment of all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Use medications only as prescribed by a doctor and do not self-medicate.
- Walk constantly and keep your body in good shape.
- Housing must be kept clean, especially when it comes to dust.
- Get an animal only after making sure there is no reaction to the fur.
Allergy is a disease that affects most people. If such a reaction to a substance or product is detected, it should be avoided. As soon as symptoms appear, you should seek help from a dermatologist, as this may be a consequence of another illness.
What is an allergy?
Allergy in medicine is usually called the increased sensitivity of the human body to certain substances.
Such substances can be food, animal hair, cosmetics, pollen or ordinary microbes. Currently, scientists have already managed to establish that allergens can also be substances that are formed inside the human body.
These substances are divided into two main groups:
Allergy can rightfully be called the “Disease of the Century”. This disease affects about 85% of the world's population.