Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Our Services >
  • Central Pa. >
  • ... >
  • Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology >
  • Allergy >
  • Allergic Skin Conditions
Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
Allergy
Angioedema
Drug Allergies & Latex Allergies
Environmental Allergies
Esophagus & Vocal Cord Conditions
Food Allergies
Hives
Insect Sting Allergies
Oral Food & Drug Challenges
Allergen Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)
Allergic Skin Conditions
Skin & Patch Testing
Asthma
Immunology
For New Patients
Doctors & Staff
Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
Allergy
Angioedema
Drug Allergies & Latex Allergies
Environmental Allergies
Esophagus & Vocal Cord Conditions
Food Allergies
Hives
Insect Sting Allergies
Oral Food & Drug Challenges
Allergen Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)
Allergic Skin Conditions
Skin & Patch Testing
Asthma
Immunology
For New Patients
Doctors & Staff

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

Allergic Skin Conditions

The allergy, asthma, and immunology specialists at UPMC in central Pa. provide diagnostic testing and treatment of allergic skin conditions in children and adults.

Why choose UPMC in Central Pa. for treatment of allergic skin conditions?

Our allergy specialists provide comprehensive treatment for allergies that affect the skin, including hives, angioedema, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and allergic contact dermatitis. We offer a full range of diagnostic and treatment services to help you understand and manage your allergic skin condition, including:

Diagnostic Tests for Allergic Skin Conditions

  • Skin testing. Skin testing, also called scratch testing, exposes your skin to small amounts of allergy-causing substances (allergens) and can identify allergy triggers.
  • Patch testing. Patch testing involves applying a suspected allergen to a patch that is placed on your skin. The patch will remain on your skin for 48 hours. Patch testing can help to identify allergic skin conditions that are caused by latex, medications, fragrances, preservatives, hair dyes, metals, and resins.
  • Blood tests. Blood tests measure the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood that are specific to certain allergens. Although blood tests are not as exact as skin tests, your doctor may use them in combination with skin tests to diagnose and treat your allergy.

Medications for Allergic Skin Conditions

  • Allergy medications. Some medications may be able to help treat or prevent allergic skin conditions, but may not be suitable if your allergic skin condition is related to a severe or life-threatening allergy. Before you use any allergy medication, you should ask your doctor if it is right for your condition and symptoms.
  • Epinephrine (EpiPen or Auvi-Q). If you are at risk of experiencing a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, your doctor may prescribe an injectable emergency medication called epinephrine. Epinephrine is usually given at the first sign of a severe allergic reaction, followed by emergency medical treatment. Your doctor will provide specific information about when and how you should use epinephrine.

Allergen Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots) for Allergic Skin Conditions

  • Allergy shots are injections that contain a small dose of allergens, or substances that trigger allergic reactions. The shots are given at regular intervals to prevent or reduce allergic reactions. With each shot, your health care provider will increase the dose of allergens. This helps your immune system get used to the allergens and may eventually cause your allergy symptoms to decrease.

Patient Education for Allergic Skin Conditions

  • Our specialists provide the education and information you need to manage your allergic skin condition, including training on administering emergency medications, managing medications, and making recommendations for how you can prevent skin irritation and avoid allergy triggers.

What are allergic skin conditions?

Allergic skin conditions are caused by an immune reaction to an allergen, which results in skin irritation. Allergic skin conditions include:

  • Hives (urticaria). Hives are swollen, raised red or skin-colored welts on the skin that often itch.
  • Angioedema. Angioedema is swelling that affects the deeper layers of the skin and commonly occurs on the feet, hands, tongue, lips, and eyelids.
  • Atopic dermatitis (eczema). Eczema causes scaly, itchy, red rashes on the skin and is often associated with allergies or asthma. Eczema is common in children but also can affect adults. It often appears on the face and bends of the elbows, wrists, and knees.
  • Allergic contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when you have a skin reaction after your skin comes into direct contact with an allergen. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including red, bumpy, itchy, scaly, or swollen skin at the site of contact with the allergen.

Who is at risk for allergic skin conditions?

People with a personal or family history of allergic skin conditions, asthma, or other allergies may be more likely to develop an allergic skin condition.

How can I prevent allergic skin conditions?

Although there is nothing you can do to prevent the allergic skin condition itself, you may be able to prevent allergic reactions by taking steps to avoid exposure to allergens and following your doctor’s advice regarding allergy treatment.

Providers

  • Larisa B. Fritz, MD
  • James Manning, MD
  • Bret Sobota, MD

Locations

Specialty Care ENT – UPMC
508 S. Washington Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325

Phone: 717-334-8171
Fax: 717-334-8172

Specialty Care ENT – UPMC
250 Fame Avenue
Suite 201, (Entrance A)
Hanover, PA 17331

Phone: 717-633-9229
Fax: 717-633-5552

UPMC Allergy and Immunology
Located at UPMC Outpatient Center
21 Waterford Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Phone: 717-988-9180
Fax: 717-775-5723 

Contact

Need more information?

Many of our providers offer video visits. Call the office or schedule via your patient portal.

Phone: 717-988-9180

Connect with the UPMC Central PA Portal app 24/7

Login or Sign Up for UPMC Central PA Portal

The UPMC Central PA Portal provides patients with convenient and secure access to their health information right at their fingertips. View test results. Get virtual care. Message your care team. Schedule and manage appointments. And much more.

Log-In or Sign Up Today

Contact UPMC

Contact UPMC

When it comes to health care for you and your family, UPMC is here. It's easy to find the right doctor, health screenings, programs, classes, and more.

Contact UPMC in central Pa.
UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC in Central Pa.
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login