Eczema and allergic reactions may appear similar at first but differ significantly in their triggers and symptoms. While eczema is often linked to genetics or environmental factors, allergic reactions are linked to specific allergens like foods, chemicals or the environment (e.g., plants, scents, etc.). Today's blog will clarify how their key differences can help find the proper relief and restore healthier skin.
What is Eczema?
According to the National Eczema Association, eczema is a skin disorder characterized by itchiness, rashes, redness, and skin infections. Patients with eczema suffer from weakened skin barrier function, which reduces their ability to retain moisture and fight external irritants.
Although no leading causes are identified, some studies suggest that genetics, environmental factors, stress, and an overactive immune system may contribute. “The risk of childhood eczema is two to three times higher in children with a maternal or paternal history, irrespective of parent sex or body region affected,” says the National Library of Medicine. Nearly 20% of adults admitted that they had lived with eczema symptoms for more than two years, less than 10% compared to children, as noted by the National Eczema Association.
What is an Allergic Reaction?
According to MedlinePlus, allergic reactions are immune responses to allergens like bee stings, food, medicines, or pollen. They commonly occur in sensitive body areas, such as the skin, eyes, nose, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory tract.
Allergic reactions can be confined to a small patch or affect the entire body, which is known as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. The reaction is marked by constriction of the airways, leading to difficulty breathing. Swelling of the throat may block the airway in severe cases. In some urgent cases, you might be putting yourself at risk of life-threatening and need immediate medical control. Consider its typical symptoms like hives, rashes, vomiting, nasal congestion, abdominal pain, or even anxiety.
4 Key Differences of Eczema vs Allergic Reaction
Since eczema and allergic reactions both present as skin rashes, identifying their key differences is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Below are four primary aspects you should consider thoroughly:
1. Speed of Symptoms Onset
“Most severe allergic reactions occur within seconds or minutes after exposure to the allergen”, says MedlinePlus’ professionals. However, other mild reactions start after several hours, which doesn’t leave long-term side effects.
Conversely, as noted by Seattle Children's Hospital’s article on eczema, eczema develops gradually, often delayed by 2 hours of contacting external triggers before showing the first signs of an eczema flare-up. This partly contributes to its persistence over extended periods on your skin.
2. Location of Rash
According to the National Health Service (NHS), eczema rashes are most common on adults' knees, elbows, and hands and the faces of toddlers and babies. Meanwhile, hives, the most common symptom of allergic reactions, “can appear on any area of the body,” says the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.
3. Appearance of Rash
As the American Academy of Dermatology mentions, eczema can make your skin thicken and develop a widespread rash due to prolonged scratching over time. This differs from allergic hives at first—they vary significantly in size and shape and “can be as small as one millimeter or as large as 6 to 8 inches in diameter”. (Allergy & Asthma Network).
If you overlook eczema vs allergic reaction because of their appearance or size, it’s pretty challenging to distinguish them. Don’t ignore any rash you find uncomfortable to control; consult a dermatologist to address worsening skin conditions.
4. Other Symptoms & Recurrence
While eczema primarily presents as skin flares, complications can occur, leading to additional symptoms. According to Clever Clinic, these complications may include weeping eczema, characterized by fluid-filled blisters, or infected eczema, which happens when bacteria, fungi, or viruses invade the skin. Signs of these complications can include fever, chills, clear to yellow fluid leaking from blisters, and pain or swelling.
Allergies often come with other problems like diarrhea, vomiting, or severe illnesses. Refer to the earlier sections to better understand the key differences between eczema and allergic reactions.
How Do You Treat Eczema Or An Allergic Reaction?
After fully understanding how eczema vs allergic reaction differs, start controlling your skin condition with these following tips from a comprehensive review published in Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research (2015).
Eczema
Some things that you can do to help your skin with eczema include:
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Avoid getting exposed to chemical triggers like harsh washing detergents or soaps
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Use moisturizing treatments (e.g., emollients, serums, creams) at least 2 times/day
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Apply moisturizer after washing your hands to counteract the harshness of hand soap, ensuring your hands stay hydrated and protected.
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If your children have eczema, keep their nails short to prevent skin damage from scratching
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Don’t share your prescription medication with anyone else
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Don’t use any medication (such as steroids) without professional guidance
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Practice stress management techniques to reduce flare-ups
You can ask your healthcare provider for a new skincare routine to boost your skin health. Phoilex’s products, featuring a distinctive pharmacist-derived Phyto-Active Blend™, can help soothe and treat eczema symptoms. Notably, they are formulated with herbal, fragrance-free ingredients designed to support skin health with minimal risk of side effects.
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Active ReLeaf Spot Gel is known as a steroid-free alternative (gel-cream), offering instant relief to heal itchy skin, reduce redness and inflammation, and enhance the skin-damaged skin barrier.
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Allergic Reaction
If you're dealing with an allergic reaction, the following steps can help you manage the symptoms:
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Identify and steer clear of known allergens or potential triggers. This can include foods, pollen, pets, or dust mites. Keeping a list of triggers and eliminating them from your environment can help prevent reactions.
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Consult a doctor for medications like antihistamines to manage symptoms effectively. These can help reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as itching, swelling, and hives.
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In severe reactions, seek immediate medical assistance for appropriate care.
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Stay aware of weather-related allergens and take preventive measures to reduce exposure.
Find Soothing Relief with Phoilex Products
Our blog has just clarified the key differences of eczema vs allergic reaction. Both conditions can cause discomfort and similar rashes but come from different reasons and require targeted care to make positive improvements to your skin health.
Explore Phoilex’s products to experience the leading, safe-for-prone-skin formulations designed by our experts. You can address these skin concerns and achieve healthier, more resilient skin.
References:
- National Eczema Association. (2017). What is Eczema? National Eczema Association. https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/
- Biagini Myers, J. M., & Khurana Hershey, G. K. (2010). Eczema in Early Life: Genetics, the Skin Barrier, and Lessons Learned from Birth Cohort Studies. The Journal of Pediatrics, 157(5), 704–714. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022347610005871
- National Eczema Association. (2013). Eczema Prevalence, Quality of Life and Economic Impact. National Eczema Association. https://nationaleczema.org/research/eczema-facts/
- Medline Plus. (2022). Allergic reactions: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000005.htm
- Eczema. (n.d.). Seattle Children’s Hospital. https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/eczema/
- Lee, J. H., Son, S. W., & Cho, S. H. (2015). A comprehensive review of the treatment of atopic eczema. Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research, 8(3), 181–190. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4773205/
- American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2018). Hives. ACAAI Patient. https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/skin-allergy/hives/
- Eczema types: Atopic dermatitis symptoms. (2021). Aad.org. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/types/atopic-dermatitis/symptoms
- Hives | Allergy & Asthma Network. (n.d.). Allergyasthmanetwork.org. https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/allergies/hives/