Skin rashes can manifest from either consuming or handling highly acidic foods such as tomatoes, citrus fruits or peanuts. Once an individual develops skin rashes after consuming the food, he/she might have an allergy to that specific food.
If the individual ends up with a rash after direct exposure to the food, the skin rash is considered as contact dermatitis which is a form of eczema. Any time that the individual experiences an adverse reaction from a particular food or substance, it is vital to get in touch with a doctor so that the cause is determined and the right treatment is started.
Food allergy
A food allergy develops if the immune system is highly sensitive to certain proteins present in food. The body wrongly identifies the proteins as a threat and starts to defend itself by producing antibodies.
These antibodies are responsible for fighting off the proteins and instigate the production of histamine in the mast cells. This elevated level of histamine in the body can lead to inflammation and irritation in various parts of the body. In case the levels of histamine increases in the skin, a rash can manifest in the form of eczema or hives. Once an individual is suspected with a food allergy, it is best to schedule an appointment with a doctor to determine the exact cause.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is considered as a form of eczema that is initiated by exposure to certain foods. The usual foods that are capable of triggering contact dermatitis include highly acidic foods such as vegetables and fruits such as kiwi, oranges and celery. The acid or other components from the fruits or vegetables cause the skin to become irritated, resulting to a flare-up of eczema.
What are the common symptoms?
The symptoms typically manifest within minutes of consuming or handling highly acidic foods. The usual symptoms for an allergic skin rash including contact dermatitis are itchiness and swelling in the skin, localized swelling, skin inflammation, redness, skin lesions and tenderness in the affected areas of the skin.
In case the skin rashes are the result of a food allergy, the individual might end up with other symptoms such as digestive issues, asthma and nasal congestion. The asthma symptoms that develop include chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing. In addition, he/she can also experience diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramping and nausea. In some cases, the nasal congestion can also lead to sinus pressure, postnasal drip and headaches.
Considerations to bear in mind
If the individual ends up with hives as a result of consuming a food that is accompanied by feeling faint, dizziness, increased heart rate and swelling in the throat, call for emergency assistance right away. All of these are symptoms of anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening reaction that can be fatal.