What Is Contact Dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema caused by exposure to substances in the environment. It is one of the two most common types of eczema (
atopic dermatitis is the other).
Contact dermatitis can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity.
Types of Contact Dermatitis
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis is the more common type of contact dermatitis. It is a non-allergic inflammatory skin reaction caused by exposure to irritating substances that actually damage the skin. Not everyone develops
allergies, but everybody's skin can become irritated if abused.
Contact with strong irritants, such as acid or lye, can result in blisters, erosion, and ulcers within minutes or hours. For weaker irritants, such as soaps or detergents, exposure over days or weeks may be necessary before eczema develops.
Any substance can act as an irritant (even water) if it is concentrated enough and if the skin is exposed to it long enough.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis results from the skin's reaction to a substance (allergen) to which it has become sensitized, or allergic. Normally, the skin doesn't react the first time it meets up with an allergen. Sometimes it occurs with the second exposure. But in other cases, it takes years and many exposures for hypersensitivity to a particular substance to develop. Once sensitized, the skin will usually become inflamed within hours or days after contact.
Contact Dermatitis Causes
The cause of contact dermatitis is exposure to substances in the environment that come in contact with the skin.
- Strong alkaline soaps
- Industrial solvents
- Pesticides
- Artificial fertilizers
- Shampoos
- Gasoline
- Clay or plaster
- Paint.
- Poison ivy
- Poison oak
- Poison sumac
- Cosmetics, such as hair sprays, shampoos, makeup, sunscreens, perfumes, shaving cream, nail polish, lipstick, deodorants, and acne medications
- Dyes or fabric finishes.
Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis
Symptoms of contact dermatitis usually occur in the area where the substance came in contact with the skin. However, it is possible for other areas to be affected. Spreading is more likely with allergic contact dermatitis.
Cases of irritant contact dermatitis caused by a mild irritant may cause the affected skin to become red, dry, and cracked. Exposure to a strong irritant may result in immediate pain, blistering, and swelling.
Allergic contact dermatitis may cause small or large blisters over the affected area. The skin may also be red and swollen -- and may become very itchy. Other cases of allergic contact dermatitis may result in the skin becoming dry and leathery.
Contact dermatitis affects people differently; therefore, symptoms will vary.
Contact Dermatitis Diagnosis
In order to diagnose 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 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 patch testing.
Contact Dermatitis Treatment
The recommended treatment for contact dermatitis in your particular situation will then depend on several factors, including:
- The cause of your symptoms
- The severity of your symptoms
- Your age and overall health.
Treatments may include:
- Avoiding the substance. Figuring out what is causing contact dermatitis and then avoiding it will go a long way toward helping current symptoms, as well as preventing a reoccurrence in the future.
- Medications. Depending on the severity of contact dermatitis, treatment with medications may be recommended. Your doctor may recommend a medication that is applied directly to the affected area, taken by mouth, or taken by injection. Medications may include: steroids to help with the redness, itching, and swelling; antihistamines to help with itching; and antibiotics if the area has become infected.
- Lubricants or other treatments. Lubricant creams or ointments, such as Cetaphil®, Eucerin®, and Aquaphor®, help to restore the skin's moisture, increase the rate of healing, and establish a barrier against further drying and irritation. Other treatments, such as wet compresses or colloidal oatmeal (Aveeno®) may be recommended with certain types of contact dermatitis.
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