About contact dermatitis

What is contact dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis facts

  • Contact dermatitis is a rash that occurs at the site of exposure to a substance capable of producing an allegic or irritant skin response.
  • Contact dermatitis can be caused by noxious, irritating substances or substances to which the patient has developed a skin allergy.
  • Patients with contact dermatitis complain of itching and burning at the site of a red, elevated, crusty, weepy, scaly rash.
  • Contact dermatitis is diagnosed by its clinical appearance associated with a compatible history from the patient. Confirmation of allergic contact dermatitis may require a skin challenge with the suspected substance. In addition, other eczematous eruptions must be considered and rejected.
  • Contact dermatitis generally requires treatment with topical steroid creams, but if extensive, may require taking steroids orally.
  • The prognosis is good if the provoking substance can be identified and avoided.
  • Prevention involves avoiding skin contact of irritating and allergenic substances.

What is contact dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis is a rash that occurs at the site of exposure to a substance that inflames the skin.

What are the symptoms for contact dermatitis?

Burning symptom was found in the contact dermatitis condition

Contact dermatitis usually occurs on areas of your body that have been directly exposed to the reaction-causing substance — for example, along a calf that brushed against poison ivy or under a watchband. The Rash usually develops within minutes to hours of exposure and can last two to four weeks.

Signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis include:

  • A red rash
  • Itching, which may be severe
  • Dry, cracked, scaly skin
  • Bumps and blisters, sometimes with oozing and crusting
  • Swelling, Burning or tenderness

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if:

  • The Rash is so uncomfortable that you are losing sleep or are distracted from your daily activities
  • The Rash is sudden, painful, severe or widespread
  • You're embarrassed by the way your skin looks
  • The Rash doesn't get better within three weeks
  • The Rash affects your face or genitals

Seek immediate medical care in the following situations:

  • You think your skin is infected. Clues include Fever and Pus oozing from blisters.
  • Your lungs, eyes or nasal passages are painful and inflamed, perhaps from inhaling an allergen.
  • You think the Rash has damaged the mucous lining of your mouth and digestive tract.

What are the causes for contact dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis is caused by a substance you're exposed to that irritates your skin or triggers an allergic reaction. The substance could be one of thousands of known allergens and irritants. Some of these substances may cause both irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.

Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common type. This nonallergic skin reaction occurs when a substance damages your skin's outer protective layer.

Some people react to strong irritants after a single exposure. Others may develop signs and symptoms after repeated exposures to even mild irritants. And some people develop a tolerance to the substance over time.

Common irritants include:

  • Solvents
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Bleach and detergents
  • Shampoos, permanent wave solutions
  • Airborne substances, such as sawdust or wool dust
  • Plants
  • Fertilizers and pesticides

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when a substance to which you're sensitive (allergen) triggers an immune reaction in your skin. It usually affects only the area that came into contact with the allergen. But it may be triggered by something that enters your body through foods, flavorings, medicine, or medical or dental procedures (systemic contact dermatitis).

You may become sensitized to a strong allergen such as poison ivy after a single exposure. Weaker allergens may require multiple exposures over several years to trigger an allergy. Once you develop an allergy to a substance, even a small amount of it can cause a reaction.

Common allergens include:

  • Nickel, which is used in jewelry, buckles and many other items
  • Medications, such as antibiotic creams and oral antihistamines
  • Balsam of Peru, which is used in many products, such as perfumes, cosmetics, mouth rinses and flavorings
  • Formaldehyde, which is in preservatives, disinfectants and clothing
  • Personal care products, such as deodorants, body washes, hair dyes, cosmetics and nail polish
  • Plants such as poison ivy and mango, which contain a highly allergenic substance called urushiol
  • Airborne substances, such as ragweed pollen and spray insecticides
  • Products that cause a reaction when you're in the sun (photoallergic contact dermatitis), such as some sunscreens and oral medications

Children develop the condition from the usual offenders and also from exposure to diapers, baby wipes, sunscreens, clothing with snaps or dyes, and so on.

What are the treatments for contact dermatitis?

If home care steps don't ease your signs and symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medications. Examples include:

  • Steroid creams or ointments. These topically applied creams or ointments help soothe the rash of contact dermatitis. A topical steroid may be applied one or two times a day for two to four weeks.
  • Oral medications. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, antihistamines to relieve itching or antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection.

What are the risk factors for contact dermatitis?

Some jobs and hobbies put you at higher risk of contact dermatitis. Examples include:

  • Health care and dental employees
  • Metalworkers
  • Construction workers
  • Hairdressers and cosmetologists
  • Auto mechanics
  • Scuba divers or swimmers, due to the rubber in face masks or goggles
  • Cleaners
  • Gardeners and agricultural workers
  • Cooks and others who work with food

Is there a cure/medications for contact dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis is a very common skin allergic reaction to the substance. This skin may trigger an itchy rash or red blisters when it gets in direct contact with some foreign substance that is allergic to the skin. Inaapropopirate Jewelry, soaps, fragrance, cosmetics, skincare, and fabric are some common causes of this rash. Swelling and itching are common symptoms of this disease. However, it is easily curable through medication and home remedies:

The treatment and cure for contact dermatitis:

  • Antibiotics: These help to kill and prevent the growth of bacteria that cause skin allergies. Dicloxacillin, erythromycin, and tetracycline are some common anti-biotics used for treating allergies caused by bacteria.
  • Tropic antiseptic: kills, inhibits, or reduces the number of microorganisms causing allergic reactions to the skin. Neosporin, Polysporin, and Hibiclens are the most common and effective topical antiseptics for the skin.
  • Antifungal: skin allergy caused by a fungus can be cured through antifungals like clotrimazole, econazole, miconazole, and terbinafine.
  • Steroids: prednisone is the common steroid used to cure contact dermatitis. However, instead of working on the reaction, it works on the immune system to help relieve swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions.
  • Antihistamine drugs: these drugs are used to treat allergic rhinitis, common cold, influenza, and other allergies.


Symptoms
Red blisters on the skin, painful and swelled area, painful and itchy rash, red spots on a specific area or entire body
Conditions
Red itchy rash on the body caused by getting in direct contact with something that is not suitable for the skin
Drugs
Dicloxacillin,Erythromycin,Econazole,Miconazole,Terbinafine,Steroids,Antihistamine,Neosporin, Polysporin,Hibiclens

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