Allergy is an exaggerated immune response to external substances (allergens) such as pollens, animal dander, dust mites, foods, insect stings, drugs or materials in contact with the skin (latex, nickel). It may affect the airways, skin, nasal mucosa and eyes, with severity ranging from mild irritation to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
From a dermatologic perspective, the main conditions are atopic or allergic eczema, contact dermatitis and urticaria. Urticaria is characterised by itchy, red wheals and may be associated with angioedema causing swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat. Atopic or allergic eczema presents with red, scaly lesions, often involving eyelids, forearms, skin folds and sometimes the genital area.
Diagnosis is primarily clinical, with itch as a key symptom, and can be supported by total and specific IgE testing to distinguish allergy from other conditions such as psoriasis, and by patch testing when contact allergy is suspected.