Symptoms of Allergies and Allergic Reactions

8. Contact Dermatitis (Dry, Cracked, Red Skin)

People with contact dermatitis experience red, dry, flaky, blistered, and itchy skin, usually within a day or two of exposure to an allergen. The inflammatory reaction appears as an uncomfortable rash that spreads. The condition causes sensitive skin that reacts severely when the person comes in contact with irritants like soap, sunlight, metals in jewelry, poisonous plants, or, for some, even water. Workers who are constantly exposed to certain chemicals are also prone to developing these symptoms. While most skin allergies are not life-threatening, in rare cases, they could lead to shortness of breath and even anaphylaxis.