Expert Guide
MAST Allergy Test: Why do skin itchiness and hives get worse every summer? | GDCLINIC
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As temperature and humidity rise, some people complain of skin itching, hives, red rashes,
and skin problems whose causes are hard to identify.
"My skin gets itchy only in summer,"
"I seem to get hives after eating certain foods,"
and "I don't know why, but the itching keeps coming back" are
reasons some people become interested in allergy testing.
Many people tend to think of allergies only as spring pollen or rhinitis,
but in fact, skin symptoms can also appear in summer due to various allergy triggers.
Therefore, if you have recurring skin itching or hives,
it may be helpful to look into the cause rather than thinking of it as just a seasonal change.
Factors That Can Affect Summer Allergy Symptoms
▣ Changes in the indoor environment
In summer, air conditioner use often increases and people tend to spend more time indoors. During this process, ventilation may be reduced, and exposure time to indoor allergens such as house dust mites or mold may increase. A high-humidity environment can affect mold growth, and for some people it may also be one of the factors behind recurring skin itching or allergy symptoms.
▣ Increased outdoor activities
In summer, increased outdoor activities can expose you to a variety of environmental factors.
Many people think pollen allergies occur only in spring, but in summer, grass pollen or weed pollen can also have an effect. Depending on the person, symptoms such as skin itching, itchy eyes, and sneezing may occur together.
▣ Changes in food intake
In summer, the intake of cold foods or certain foods may increase compared with usual.
Sensitivity to seafood, fruit, and certain foods can vary from person to person, and in some cases symptoms such as skin itching or hives may appear after eating. However, it cannot be assumed that all skin symptoms are caused by food; living environment, skin condition, and other causes may also play a role.
If These Symptoms Recur, You May Consider Checking for Allergies
If the following symptoms recur, a consultation to identify the cause may be helpful.
✔ Skin itching with no clear cause
✔ Recurrent hives
✔ Skin symptoms that worsen each season
✔ Skin changes that appear after eating certain foods
✔ Recurring eczema symptoms
✔ Recurrent rashes on the face or body
Allergic conditions can present with similar symptoms even when the causes differ.
Therefore, since the cause can differ from person to person, it may be helpful to confirm it through a consultation with a medical professional.
Allergy testing may also involve people who report the same itching symptoms but are actually triggered by different substances.
How Is an Allergy Test Performed?
| MAST Test | Delayed Allergy Test |
Test principle | Measures reactions to specific allergens through IgE antibody levels in the blood | Measures delayed immune responses through IgG antibody levels in the blood |
Allergic reaction | Immediate response to the allergen-causing antigen | A delayed reaction to the antigen appears after about 2 to 72 hours |
Number of test items | About 40 to 100 types, including pollen, dust, mites, and foods | 90 to 200+ types, covering nearly all food groups |
Sites where symptoms appear | Mainly seen in the skin and respiratory system, such as rhinitis, asthma, hives, and atopic dermatitis | May be associated with all body systems, such as chronic fatigue, indigestion, and skin problems all body systems |
Effect of medication | None | None |
Advantages | A blood draw-based test method Identifies a variety of causative substances Can be performed for children and older adults | Tests a wide range of food items closely related to daily life Helps identify the cause of vague, persistent symptoms May support lifestyle guidance based on immune responses |
Not All Summer Itching Is an Allergy
Not every case of skin itching can be assumed to be caused by an allergy.
In summer, skin symptoms can arise from various causes such as sweat, friction, dry air-conditioning environments, contact dermatitis, and eczema.
Skin changes that look similar to hives can have different underlying causes, so accurate differentiation may be needed.
Therefore, if symptoms recur or continue to the point of interfering with daily life, identifying the cause may be helpful.
Daily Habits for Summer Skin Care
To reduce summer skin itching, managing the indoor environment may also be important.
Maintaining proper indoor humidity and regularly cleaning air conditioner filters
may help reduce exposure to house dust mites and mold.
Also, after sweating a lot, keeping the skin clean and
maintaining habits that can reduce skin irritation may be helpful.
If you have recurring summer symptoms such as skin itching, hives, or red rashes,
it may be helpful to check the cause rather than thinking of it as simple skin irritation.
Allergy testing, MAST Test, and Delayed Allergy Test
may be performed at the clinician's discretion depending on an individual's symptoms and medical history,
and test results should also be interpreted by considering current symptoms, living environment, and medical history together.
If you are concerned about recurring skin symptoms, consulting a clinician to check your current condition may be helpful.
