What Does an Allergic Skin Rash Look Like? Learn to Identify It (With Pictures) and Treat It

Allergic skin reactions are a common problem. In fact, almost 1 in 10 people have experienced some type of skin allergy. And if you’ve ever developed an itchy rash after trying a new skin care product or wearing new jewelry, you know how uncomfortable it can be.

Here, we’ll talk about why your skin has these reactions, what an allergic rash can look like, and some steps you can take to soothe your skin when it happens.

What is contact dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis is the medical term for a skin reaction that happens in response to touching something. 

There are two types of contact dermatitis:

• Irritant contact dermatitis: This is the most common type. It happens when you get a rash in response to a known skin irritant — like chemicals, bleach, or even everyday products like dish soap.

• Allergic contact dermatitis: This is when you get a rash as a result of an overblown immune response to something, also known as an allergy. With an allergy, the trigger (or allergen) is something that most other people might consider harmless, like nickel, latex, and certain fragrances and preservatives in skin products. More common culprits are listed below. Another example of allergic contact dermatitis is the reaction some people get to poison ivy. 

What can cause an allergic skin rash (contact dermatitis)?

There’s a long list of things that can cause allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. Some of these can be found around your home or yard, like:

• Fertilizers and pesticides

• Household cleaners

• Dish soaps

• Detergents

• Plants

• Bleach

Other things are cosmetic, such as:

• Hair products, like hair dye and hair-straightening chemicals

• Fragrances

And others may not be as common but can still be found at home, work, or in a healthcare setting:

• Adhesive and glue-like substances

• Disinfectants 

• Some metals, like nickel

• Latex

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Toxic skin care ingredients: From formaldehyde to parabens, learn about these potentially toxic skin care ingredients to avoid. 

• Nickel allergy: Read about this common allergy, including what products to avoid, symptoms to look for, and how to treat it. 

• Best poison ivy treatments: Learn what over-the-counter (OTC) treatments work the best to get rid of poison ivy symptoms fast.

Keep in mind: Contact dermatitis can develop over time. Just because you weren’t allergic to a product before doesn’t mean you can’t become allergic to it later.

Symptoms of contact dermatitis

With contact dermatitis, you develop a rash on the area of skin that was exposed to the substance that caused the allergy or irritation. 

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they include:

• An itchy rash that’s red in fair skin and violet or brown in darker skin

• Blisters

• Patches of skin that ooze or crust 

• Thickened, swollen, or leathery skin that’s darker than surrounding skin

• Painful cracks and fissures (especially on the hands)

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Pictures of allergic skin rashes

Here are some images of contact dermatitis from exposure to different products so you can see what it looks like. 

Latex allergy rash on the hands.

Nickel allergy rash from a button.

Contact dermatitis rash with blisters.

Allergic skin rash on the eyelids.

Allergic reaction on hands.

Allergic contact dermatitis on the face from a cosmetic product.

Home remedies for allergic skin reactions

Whether you develop an irritant or allergic contact dermatitis, there are certain things you can do to help relieve your symptoms, depending on if your symptoms are mild or severe.

Mild symptoms

Here are some easy ways to soothe mild allergic skin reactions at home:

• Don’t scratch. The first step is to avoid scratching, which can be hard to do. But the more you scratch your skin, the more it’ll get irritated and inflamed. Scratching can also increase your risk of getting a skin infection.

• Use cold compresses. Ice packs and cold compresses can help calm inflamed skin. Applying these for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day can also relieve the itch.

• Take oatmeal baths. If a large area of skin is involved, or your symptoms are really intense, oatmeal baths can help. To soothe inflamed skin, you can follow these steps to make your own, or you can find a product with colloidal oatmeal and add it directly to your bath.

Severe symptoms

If your rash is large or severe — or you’re not sure if it’s contact dermatitis — don’t try to wait it out or treat your rash at home. It’s best to see a dermatologist or healthcare professional to get the right diagnosis and treatment. 

Over-the-counter treatments for allergic skin reactions

In addition to the steps recommended above, there are some over-the-counter (OTC) products that may help relieve your symptoms:

• Topical steroids: Hydrocortisone is a low-dose, topical steroid that can help treat dermatitis by lowering skin inflammation. It can be used once or twice a day for up to 2 weeks.

• Antihistamines: If your itching is severe, an antihistamine like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can be helpful. Just remember that some antihistamines can make you sleepy.

• Cooling agents: Ingredients like menthol and camphor can help relieve itchy skin. Some products, like Sarna Original Anti-Itch Lotion, combine both agents. Creams with calamine or pramoxine can also help reduce the itch.

• Refrigerated creams: Try keeping your creams and lotions in the fridge before using them. This will add an extra cooling effect on your skin.

How do you treat an allergic reaction on your face?

Much like anywhere else on the body, treating an allergic reaction on your face involves two steps: 

1. Identifying (and then avoiding) what’s caused the reaction

2. Treating the symptoms 

Identifying

Identifying what you’re reacting to can take a bit of detective work. New products are the most likely culprit, so start by eliminating those first. If you’re not sure what’s new, stop using all products and cosmetics until your skin heals. Then, reintroduce one at a time to see which one causes a reaction. 

Treating

When it comes to treating symptoms, any of the OTC treatments discussed above are safe to use on the face. Just make sure not to use hydrocortisone for more than 2 weeks in order to minimize side effects. 

How long does it take an allergic reaction rash to go away?

Most allergic skin rashes go away in about 2 weeks. This timeframe assumes you’re no longer coming into contact with the irritant or allergen. If your rash lasts longer than 2 weeks, this might be one of the reasons to see a healthcare professional. 

When to see a healthcare professional

Many irritant and allergic skin reactions are mild and can be treated at home. In fact, most people are often able to identify the trigger and avoid it in the future.

But there are times when you should see a dermatologist or healthcare professional. Here are some examples of when to get medical attention:

• Your symptoms feel severe. 

• Your rash involves a large patch of skin.

• Your rash doesn’t improve, or it keeps coming back.

• You can’t figure out what is causing the rash.

• You have signs of a skin infection, such as pus, pain, or spreading of the rash.

• You’re experiencing other symptoms, such as fever, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, vomiting, or diarrhea.

How to prevent contact dermatitis

When it comes to contact dermatitis, prevention is the best treatment. The most important thing is to identify what your skin is reacting to and to avoid coming into contact with it in the future. 

Here are some other tips to prevent contact dermatitis:

• Wear gloves or use other hand protection whenever you might come into contact with an irritant. 

• Moisturizers and barrier creams can help provide a protective barrier. 

• Practice good hand washing (with a mild, fragrance-free soap).

• Learn about common irritants, so you know when to take extra precaution. 

• If you think you have come into contact with a potential irritant, gently rinse the area with cold tap water.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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Images used with permission from VisualDx (www.visualdx.com).