Skin Rashes, Blisters, Allergic To Preservatives. Has Tobacco Addiction. Can Tobacco Cause Allergy Too?

Posted on Thu, 5 Jan 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 5 Jan 2012 Answered on

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has had a rash on his body for about a year, they did an allergy test for chemicals and found he is allergic to a preservative so we switched laundry soap and no longer use fabric softeners, seems to help a bit but he is still itching and they have little water blisters in the rash area. He wasn't tested for chewing tobbaco and was wondering if he may be allergic this, which he chews every day. Or any other suggestions would be helpful.

Answered by Dr. Rohit Batra (45 minutes later)

Dear XXXXXXX,

Thanks for your query.

The history stated by you suggests that your husband is suffering from an irritant contact dermatitis which is an allergy to a particular substance which comes in contact with skin and causes blisters to develop at the site of contact.

In case a person is allergic to some food substance then a skin rash occurs which is just redness and no blisters.

The avoidence of the allergy material coming in contact with skin is a must to avoid blister formation.

Once formed the blisters can be treated with a cream containing an antibacterial agent alongwith a mild steroid.

Hope I have answered your query. please write back to me if you have any further concerns.

Wishing you good health.

Regards

Dr. Rohit

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D