Contact dermatitis involves inflammation of the skin due to direct exposure to an irritating substance. This skin condition is commonly called as allergic dermatitis. An individual who was exposed to poison ivy usually ends up with contact dermatitis.
What are the potential causes and who are at risk?
Contact dermatitis involves inflammation of the skin due to direct contact with an irritating or allergy-causing substance. These tend to vary from one individual to another over time. If the individual has a history of any type of allergy, it increases the risk for this condition.
Usual allergens linked with contact dermatitis
- Nickel and other metals
- Poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak
- Medications
- Topical anesthetics
- Antibiotics particularly those that are applied on the skin surface
- Cosmetics
- Rubber
- Detergents
- Fabrics and clothing
- Adhesives
- Solvents
- Fragrances and perfumes
Always bear in mind that contact dermatitis can involve a reaction to a substance that the individual was exposed to or uses repeatedly. Even though there might be no initial reaction, recurrent use of potential triggers can cause eventual sensitization and reaction to the product.
Some products are known to trigger a reaction only after contact with the skin and exposure to sunlight. These include sunscreens, shaving lotions, sulfa ointments, coal tar products, certain perfumes and oil from the skin of lime. There are also a few airborne allergens such as insecticide spray or ragweed.
What are the types of contact dermatitis?
Irritant dermatitis is considered as the most common form which involves inflammation after exposure to acids, alkaline materials such as detergents and soaps, chemicals and solvents. In most cases, a reaction is strikingly similar to a burn.
Another common type is triggered by exposure to material in which the individual became allergic to or highly sensitive to. The inflammation of the skin can range from minor irritation and redness to open sores. The reaction depends on the body part affected, type of irritant and the sensitivity of the individual.
As for overtreatment dermatitis, this is a type that manifests when treatment for a different skin condition triggers the irritation.
What are the signs and symptoms?
- Itchiness in exposed areas
- Skin inflammation or redness of the exposed areas
- Localized swelling of the skin
- Tenderness of the skin in the exposed areas
- Skin rashes or lesions at the site of exposure
- Warmth
- Lesions in various types
- Scaly, raw or dense skin
- Drainage or crusting
Treatment
The initial treatment involves proper washing using water to eliminate any trace of the irritant that might linger on the skin. Prolonged exposure to allergens or irritants must be avoided.
In some cases, topical corticosteroids are used to minimize the inflammation. It is vital to carefully follow the instructions when using topical steroids since overuse can lead to undesirable skin conditions.
In severe cases, systemic corticosteroids might be required to minimize the inflammation. These are limited gradually over 12 days in order to prevent the recurrence of the rash.