Symptoms of Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Symptoms of irritant
contact dermatitis usually occur in the area where the irritating substance came in contact with the skin. 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.
Diagnosing Irritant Contact Dermatitis
In order to diagnose irritant contact dermatitis, the healthcare provider will ask a number of questions about when the symptoms started, 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 irritant contact dermatitis, specific treatments will be recommended.
Treating Irritant Contact Dermatitis
The recommended treatment for irritant 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 for irritant contact dermatitis can include:
- Complete Avoidance. Figuring out what is causing irritant 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 irritant contact dermatitis, treatment with medications may be recommended. 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.
- Emollients. Emollient creams or ointments (known as lubricants) -- 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.
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print