Skin Allergies Specialist

Many of the 50 million Americans with allergies experience allergic rashes (skin allergies). At Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland in Silver Spring, Maryland, board-certified allergist Vasif Kalfa, MD, provides comprehensive skin allergy support. If you have a skin rash that appears only at certain times, Dr. Kalfa can identify your allergy triggers and recommend the ideal treatment to relieve your symptoms. Book your appointment online or call the office to request a consultation.

Skin Allergies Q & A

What are skin allergies?

Skin allergies are rashes or other skin symptoms that appear following exposure to an allergen. There are several varieties of skin allergies, including:

Eczema

Eczema is a condition that causes dry, rough, thickened, scaly, and itchy skin. This condition can have nonallergy causes as well.

Hives

Hives are itchy skin welts that usually appear and go away within a day. Allergen exposure is the most common cause of sudden hives.

Angioedema

Angioedema is swelling within your deeper skin layers in response to an allergen. It commonly develops at the same time as hives.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis causes itchy bumps on the skin where you touched an allergen.

If you're concerned about allergy symptoms, it's important to find the source of your allergy so you can begin proper treatment.

How are skin allergies diagnosed?

At Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland, Dr. Kalfa may perform testing that includes:

Skin prick test

In a skin prick test, Dr. Kalfa makes tiny punctures in the top skin layers. He dispenses a small quantity of a suspected allergen at the site and observes the reaction to identify an allergy.

Intradermal test

In an intradermal test, Dr. Kalfa injects a tiny amount of the suspected allergen into your inner forearm. Within 10-15 minutes, he can determine whether you're allergic. You may need an intradermal test if your skin prick test was negative but it's still likely you have an allergy.

Blood test

Blood tests involve a simple blood draw. The blood goes to the lab, where technicians look for certain signs of allergies.

Oral challenge

An oral challenge is a food allergy test in which you eat small portions of a suspected allergen under Dr. Kalfa's guidance.

You may need testing for several allergens during the same appointment. Or, you may need a combination of allergy tests, based upon your possible allergens.

What happens after skin allergy testing?

After skin allergy testing, Dr. Kalfa gives you a customized allergy management plan. You may need allergy shots, oral food allergy desensitization, oral medication, topical skin creams, and changes to your routine to minimize your risk of skin allergies.

You don’t have to suffer with red, irritated, itchy, and dry skin. To learn how skin allergy testing and treatment can help you, call Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Maryland or schedule an appointment online.