Skin Allergy Doctor in Atlanta, GA

Skin allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance as a dangerous threat. When your skin directly contacts this substance—known as an allergen—your body reacts by releasing chemicals like histamine. This overactive immune response triggers inflammation, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms like redness, intense itching, and blistering rashes.

The most common type of skin allergy is allergic contact dermatitis. Frequent culprits include metals like nickel found in jewelry, fragrances and preservatives in daily skincare products, certain dyes or adhesives, and plants like poison ivy. Alternatively, skin reactions such as chronic hives or eczema flare-ups can sometimes be triggered internally by consuming a food allergen or a specific medication.

Because these triggers are incredibly diverse and often hidden in everyday products, pinpointing the exact cause on your own can be highly frustrating. Our board-certified allergists offer specialized diagnostic patch testing to accurately identify your unique triggers, allowing us to create a targeted treatment plan for clear, comfortable skin.

Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, affects between 10 and 20 percent of children and 1 to 3 percent of adults. Itchy, red, dry, irritated, and red skin are common symptoms of eczema. A clear or yellowish liquid may ooze from small, fluid-filled bumps on the skin, especially when the skin is infected. Eczema sufferers often have allergies in their families.

Symptoms of hives (urticaria) include red bumps or welts on the body. Chronic urticaria occurs after six weeks of acute urticaria, and acute urticaria lasts less than six weeks. Exposure to an allergen or infection is the most common cause of acute urticaria. There is little known about the cause of chronic urticaria.

In contact dermatitis, the skin reacts to irritants or allergens that come into contact with it. Burning, itching, blisters, and rashes are some of the symptoms.

Contact dermatitis can be caused by soaps, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, shampoos, and even excessive exposure to water. Aside from metals, other items that can cause a reaction include adhesives, topical medications, nail polish, plants, and latex gloves.
Depending on the allergen, the skin might not react until it is also exposed to sunlight. Photoallergic contact dermatitis is the medical term for this condition. Some perfumes, shaving lotions, and sunscreens can cause it.

Since dermatology and allergy medicine overlap to some extent, you might wonder what type of specialist to see if you have a rash you think is caused by an allergy.
 
Allergists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing, managing, and treating allergies and immune disorders. Skin, food, and airborne allergies can be treated by these specialists. In addition to treating allergy patients, allergy doctors also treat asthmatic patients.
 
Skin, nails, and hair conditions can be diagnosed, managed, and treated by dermatologists. Contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis, both of which may stem from allergies, can be treated by this specialist.
 
An allergy doctor should be consulted if you experience occasional rashes or hives, seasonal nasal congestion, digestive problems, or breathing difficulties. If you experience frequent asthma attacks or skin issues caused by environmental allergens, you might benefit from seeing an allergist.
 
It is possible to have allergy testing done by either of these doctors if necessary. Skin patch tests may be performed by a dermatologist to determine what caused your skin reaction. Allergists may also perform a skin patch test as well as more comprehensive allergy tests.
 
Skin care products that don’t irritate your skin can be recommended by a dermatologist. Medications and immunotherapy may be provided by an allergist to help you manage your allergies.

Our board-certified allergists, Dr. Jon E. Stahlman, MD, and Dr. Deidre D. Crocker, MD, at The Allergy & Asthma Center are experts at preventing severe flare-ups and uncomfortable reactions. The foundation of true prevention is precise identification. Utilizing advanced diagnostic tools like comprehensive patch testing or skin prick tests, we can pinpoint the exact metals, fragrances, plant oils, or chemicals triggering your contact dermatitis, eczema, or hives.

Once your unique triggers are identified, we empower you with customized avoidance strategies. We will teach you how to meticulously read product labels and can recommend safe, allergen-free skincare brands or household alternatives. Beyond strict avoidance, we help prevent future outbreaks by prescribing proactive, barrier-repairing treatments, daily topical medications, and cutting-edge biologic therapies for chronic conditions. By partnering with our expert team, you gain a comprehensive action plan designed to stop frustrating skin reactions before they start, ensuring your skin remains clear and comfortable. 

Patients can visit a skin allergy specialist at the Allergy & Asthma Center. We look forward to helping keep you healthy! We serve patients from Lawrenceville GA, Atlanta GA, Conyers GA, Suwanee GA, Duluth GA, Grayson GA, Decatur GA, Brookhaven GA, Lithonia GA, and Covington GA.