Do you have a rash and don’t know what it is? You’re not alone. Many people find themselves dealing with an unknown rash at some point. Sometimes it’s easy to determine the cause of a rash, such as eczema caused by seasonal allergies. But other times, it can be more challenging to determine the source of a breakout. Let’s look at the difference between eczema vs hives and learn about the most common causes of each type of rash.
What is Eczema & What Does it Look Like?
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that results in dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. Genetic predisposition, environmental factors, allergies, irritants, stress, and weather changes can compromise the skin barrier and cause eczema. People with eczema often have family members with the same condition. Triggers such as allergens and stress can exacerbate the symptoms.
Eczema is characterized by an inflammatory response in the skin, leading to redness and swelling. Moisturizers play a crucial role in managing eczema by keeping the skin hydrated and protecting the skin barrier.
Eczema may present differently in darker skin tones, appearing as brown, purple, gray, or ashen rather than red and inflamed. It is important to seek a dermatologist’s expertise to develop a treatment plan tailored to specific skin tones.
There are several different types of eczema, each with its own set of symptoms.
Atopic Dermatitis: The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, which usually begins in childhood. Atopic dermatitis typically causes dry, itchy skin that can become cracked and bleeding. Very dry skin is a common symptom of eczema in both adults and children. Eczema rash often affects the joints, such as the skin around knees, elbows, wrists, fingers, toes, and ankles.
Contact Dermatitis: often caused by an irritant such as a new shampoo, detergent, or perfume
Seborrheic Dermatitis: Usually affects the scalp
Nummular Eczema: Usually appears as coin-shaped patches of dry, itchy skin. The dry skin associated with nummular eczema often appears on the legs, forearms, and lower back, characterized by its round, scaly, and inflamed patches.
Eczema is not contagious, but it can be very uncomfortable. Treatment for eczema typically includes over-the-counter or prescription creams and ointments to relieve symptoms. Oral antihistamines or steroids often help ease eczema symptoms.
Seeing an ENT doctor can help you find treatments for skin allergies that may help reduce your immune system’s reactivity to the offending substances. Eczema is related to an overactive immune system, which triggers inflammation and causes symptoms. Reducing your reactivity can eliminate your allergies rather than just treating the symptoms.
What Are Hives and What Do They Look Like?
Hives appear as raised, red welts on the skin that are itchy and may also throb. Often, they appear suddenly without scratching or touching the skin, and flare-ups can occur unexpectedly. In contrast, eczema often appears slowly in an area as the individual affected scratches an itchy part of the skin.
Hives can range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Hives typically appear in response to an allergen, such as food, medication, or an insect sting. They can also occur due to physical stimuli, such as heat, cold, or pressure.
Hives can be acute or chronic. Acute hives last less than six weeks, while chronic hives can last for months or even years. Hives may go away on their own, but you can also treat them with antihistamines or steroids. In some cases, you’ll need to see an ENT doctor for testing to address the underlying cause of the hives.
What Causes Atopic Dermatitis and Hives?
Many environmental factors can trigger eczema flares, including allergies, weather changes, stress, irritants, and immune response. Allergic reactions from environmental triggers and irritants can lead to eczema flares. Common allergens that can trigger eczema include dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and certain foods. Certain foods may trigger or worsen eczema symptoms in individuals with food allergies.
An allergic reaction to a food, medication, or insect sting can cause hives. However, physical stimuli, such as heat, cold, or pressure, can also cause hives. In some cases, a sudden stressor can cause hives to appear, while at other times, the underlying cause of the hives is unknown.
Can I Develop Eczema or Chronic Hives as an Adult?
Eczema and hives can both develop at any age. However, eczema is more likely to develop in childhood, while hives are more likely to occur in adulthood.
The chance of developing eczema as an adult increases if you have a genetic predisposition or a family history of the condition. The likelihood of developing hives as an adult increases if you have a history of allergies or asthma.
What Can an ENT Doctor Do to Treat Allergic Reactions?
If you have eczema or hives, an ENT doctor can do several things to help. Skin prick testing or patch testing can determine what triggers your eczema or hives. We can also prescribe medications, including topical corticosteroids, to help relieve symptoms and prevent flare-ups, especially for those with sensitive skin, which has heightened reactivity and susceptibility to irritants and allergens. Antihistamines are another option to manage the itching and discomfort associated with these conditions. Managing dry skin associated with eczema through treatments and home remedies is also crucial for alleviating symptoms.
Severe eczema can lead to additional complications and may require more intensive treatment.
In some cases, we may recommend allergy shots. Allergy shots work by slowly exposing you to small amounts of the substance that triggers your eczema or hives. Shots help your body build up a tolerance to the allergen and can eventually make your eczema or hives disappear entirely.
Effective immune system management is crucial in reducing the frequency and severity of eczema flares.
One of the latest treatments for allergies include sublinguals. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an allergy treatment that involves placing drops of an allergen extract under the tongue. The drops are usually taken daily for several months, and then the dose is gradually decreased. SLIT is effective in reducing symptoms of eczema and hives.
While eczema and hives share some similarities, they are very different conditions. If you suspect you may have either one, it’s essential to see your ENT doctor so they can properly diagnose and treat you.
Enticare Can Help You Find Solutions for Eczema Flares
If you have eczema or hives, don’t suffer in silence. Untreated eczema can lead to skin infections due to excessive scratching and breaking down the skin’s barrier. Call Enticare today and schedule an appointment with one of our experienced allergists. We can help you find relief and get back to enjoying your life.
At Enticare, our board-certified ENT specialists work with you to find the root causes of your allergies and map out solutions that make a difference. If you or your child suffers from eczema or hives, we can help! Call us today to schedule an appointment. We will work with you to find the cause of your rash and develop a treatment plan that works for you.