Symptoms of Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Symptoms of allergic
contact dermatitis usually occur in the area where the substance came in allergic contact with the skin. However, it is possible for other areas to be affected.
Allergic contact dermatitis affects people differently; therefore, symptoms will vary. The condition may cause small or large blisters over the affected area. The skin may also be red and swollen -- and become very itchy. These symptoms are common with poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac. Other cases of allergic contact dermatitis may result in a chronic case of eczema. In these cases, the skin can become dry and leathery.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis Diagnosis
In order to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis, the healthcare provider will ask a number of questions about when the symptoms started, what types of skin care products you use, what you do for a living, and what your hobbies are. He or she will also look at the rash.
Based on the answers to the questions, as well as the way the rash looks, your healthcare provider may have a general idea of what is causing your symptoms. If he or she thinks this is allergic contact dermatitis, specific treatments will be recommended. If your healthcare provider is unsure, he or she may also recommend additional tests to help narrow down the cause. One of these tests is called patch testing.
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