DERMATOLOGIST-SKIN ALLERGY (Click photo/ DERMATOLOGY Faculty

Itchy red bumps that fade when pressed are hives. Red blotches can appear in response to allergy triggers such as medications or foods. Hives, also called urticaria, occurs when the immune system responds to an allergen. An allergy doctor or dermatologist can help you find the cause. Click the photo to learn about Dr. Wein and his service on faculty at American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.

Itching, redness, and scaly rash are known as atopic dermatitis. Dry skin can be sensitive to allergens. During flare-ups, red and itchy skin patches of can erupt, with roughness and flaking. Eczema is more common in children. Adults visiting the dermatologist often have eczema in just a few areas. Read an interesting article about eczema quoting national experts including Dr Wein CLICK HERE

Skin contact with an allergen such as plants, soaps, clothing or metal jewelry may cause contact dermatitis, often swollen at the site of contact. Advanced dermatology testing by an allergy doctor can help find the cause.

Swelling below the skin, often in the hands, throat, eyes, or mouth can be angioedema and often prompt a visit to the allergy doctor. Often it occurs along with hives and can cause difficulty breathing if it affects the throat. Read an interesting article about severe urticaria published by Dr Wein CLICK HERE.

Vasculitis of the skin may be a signal of a more serious internal problem. Purpura, petechiae, and ulcers are terms used to describe this type of inflammation of the skin. Advanced dermatology and allergy and testing might help determine the cause.

Photosensitivity is aggravated by sunlight. If the rash is eczematous, it is photodermatitis. A chemical or drug that causes photosensitivity is a photosensitizer.  Another type is called "PMLE". In Vero Beach and Port Saint Lucie, the sun often prompts a visit to the dermatologist.

A morbilliform rash is flat pink or red spots that may merge or become raised as the rash spreads.  Allergy doctors and dermatologist often diagnose a drug reaction, a skin rash that develops after exposure to certain medications. 

Dermatomyositis is an immune condition with skin changes and muscle weakness, often with eyelid rash, and red bumps on the fingers.  This is frequently treated in the dermatologist or allergy doctor's office with advanced dermatology medications of even IVIG.

Pityriasis alba is most commonly seen in children. Usually a fine scale, and loss of pigment causing a lighter color of the skin, these spots can appear especially on the face or arms.

 Factors causing orals ulcers may include chemicals in toothpaste, food products, flavoring agents and also preservatives. One of the more common causes in the dermatologist office is 'cinnamates' in the diet.

Mycosis fungoides usually develops slowly and can progress for years. Early phases skin can develop dry, dark patches, sometimes itchy. Often misdiagnosed as psoriasis or eczema .

Tinea versicolor is a very common fungal infection of the skin. Destruction of normal pigment leaves small patches which are usually lighter than the surrounding skin(but sometimes are darker), most commonly this affect the torso but not always. 

•  Atopic dermatitis is a disease of both children and adults who inherit a certain genetic disposition. Allergy doctors often see this along with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

• Nummular dermatitis refers to coin-shaped lesions which are found on the  extremities and trunk. Our offices in Vero Beach and Port Saint Lucie see this problem in children more often than adults.

• Asteatotic eczema is a form of eczema causing changes on the surface which are caused by dryness of the skin. While uncommon in children, it is more common in allergy doctor's office than the pediatrician's office.

• Dyshidrotic eczema is a common dermatology problem, it describes a form of eczema with itchy blisters usually seen on the hands or feet.

• Stasis dermatitis is not usually treated by an allergy doctor, it appears often on legs, where poor circulation leads fluid to accumulate.

• Irritant contact dermatitis refers to a rash with damage to skin barrier at the site of contact  with an irritating substance. A dermatologist or allergy doctor can help pinpoint the cause.

• Eosinophilic fasciitis is not eczema at all. It is a syndrome in which tissue under the skin becomes swollen, inflamed and thick. The skin on the arms, legs, neck, abdomen or feet can swell . Read about Dr Wein's research published on eosinophils CLICK HERE. 

•  Lichen planus can be confused with eczema, it can cause swelling and irritation of the skin and also mucous membranes. It often appears as purple, itchy, flat bumps.  When it occurs on the inside of the mouth, it can sometimes develop fine streaks, these lines known as "Wickham striae". 

•  Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that can affect not only the face but also the scalp. It causes redness, flaking, and can involve many areas of the body, such as the face, ears, and even the scalp or chest.  

•  Keratosis Pilaris is a common skin condition, also known as follicular hyperkeratosis, that can affect the upper arms but also the thigh and sometimes the buttocks. It causes dry, rough patches or tiny bumps.

• Pityriasis rosea is very common and causes a fine pink scale, usually in otherwise healthy people, especially children and young adults. (It is sometimes confused with pityriasis rubra pilaris, which is quite rare).

• Pityriasis rubra pilaris is a rare skin disorder, causing redness, nail changes and sometimes hair loss. It can cover the entire body or just parts (elbows, knees, palms) and leaves distinct areas of uninvolved skin, so-called “islands of sparing”

• Seasonal allergy to pollen, grass, and trees
• Food allergy to nuts, shell-fish, egg, milk
• Insect allergy - bites and stings with venom
• Animal & pet allergies - dogs and cats
• Skin allergies
• Hives and eczema care
• Eye allergies
• Drug or medication allergies
• Allergic / Anaphylactic reactions
• Sinus problems and infections
• Asthma & cough
• Mold allergies
• Penicillin allergy
• Environmental allergies
• Chemical allergies
• Hayfever - nose congestion, rhinitis 
• Asthma and chronic cough

Any medical practitioner (even a nurse or medical assistant) can advertise as an “allergist ” without receiving formal allergy training in an ACGME accredited Allergy Fellowship. There is nothing illegal or unethical about this. This is confusing to people.

To be certain that your allergist has achieved the highest knowledge dedicated to allergy, ask if he/she is board certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology. 

(If you are embarrassed to ask, just visit www.ABAI.org and find out for yourself!)

 Allergists are specialists for the treatment of allergic diseases, asthma and immunological conditions. It takes years of dedication and training to become a Board Certified Allergist. All Allergists go to college, then medical school, then complete a minimum of three years of residency in either Pediatrics or Internal Medicine. They then participate in a two to three year fellowship in Allergy and Immunology. This is followed by a Board Certification Examination in their specialty area. No other type of physician is as qualified to treat allergic diseases

• Allergic Contact Rash
• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
• Hives (Urticaria)
• Poison Ivy, Sumac and Oak
• Pruritus
• Psoriasis
• Scabies
• Seborrheic Dermatitis
• Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

If you have a skin rashes or are experiencing problems with your skin, call us today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Michael Wein is a board-certified allergy specialist. He will examine your skin, diagnose your rash, and help determine the best treatment for you. 

Many rashes are itchy, but others may be painful, or cause blisters or even ulcers. Rashes may be acute (short-term), chronic (more than a week or two) or even recurring (improving and then returning).  Rashes can look very similar, so it is important to bring pictures of the rash if possible.

Patch tests are a safe and easy way to diagnose contact allergies. Patch tests are different from injection or scratch skin tests because they use paper and not needles or plastic devices, and they test for a wide range of different allergens. In patch tests, small amounts of the common allergens are applied to the skin on strips of tape and then removed after two days. A positive allergy test will show as a small red spot at the site of the patch. Common sources of allergens include metals such as nickel, rubber in latex gloves, hair dyes, preservatives in beauty products, medications, fragrances, poison ivy, and many others.

 A rash on the face can be especially problematic. There are many possible causes.

• Acne
• Seborrheic Dermatitis
• Melasma
• Rosacea
• Tinea Versicolor
• Vitiligo