Contact Dermatitis

Causes

Contact dermatitis is most often caused by something that irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction. It may be something that was often around but never caused problems before. Some common causes of contact dermatitis are:

• Acids
• Alkalis—such as bleach or oven cleaner
• Solvents—can be found in dry cleaning, nail polish remover
• Acetone—can be found in electronics, makeup, medicine, textiles
• Soaps
• Detergents
• Metals, such as nickel—common in jewelry allergy
• Rubber
• Latex
• Make up, creams, lotions, aftershave
• Deodorants
• Sunlight or artificial light
• Preservatives
• Plants, such as poison ivy
• Medicine

Risk Factors

Things that may increase the risk of contact dermatitis are:

• Jobs that have regular contact with problem substances
• Outdoor activities such as hiking and gardening
• Allergies to some things, such as plants, chemicals, or medicine

Symptoms

Symptoms may differ from person to person. The rash may have:

• Itching
• Redness
• Swelling
• Blisters
• Crusting, leaking, and scaling
• Skin feels thicker

Rash is often only in the place where the contact happened. Sometimes it may spread.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. Contact dermatitis may be diagnosed based on the rash itself. The doctor may ask questions to see what may have caused the problem. The cause may not always be clear.

A patch test may be done to find out what is causing the problem. A small amount of a substance is applied to the skin and covered with tape. The patch is removed after a period of time. If your skin is red and swollen under the patch, the substance applied to the skin is probably causing the problem.

Treatment

It will take a few days to a couple weeks for the skin to clear. It is important to stay away from the substance that caused the problem. Steps to help the area while it heals include:

Skin Care

Damage to skin can lead to an infection. To keep the skin as healthy as possible:

• Wash the area with water and mild soap. Pat dry gently, do not scrub.
• Use petrolatum or petroleum jelly over the area. It can help seal the skin until it heals.
• Do not poke at or cut open blisters.
• Cover blisters with dry bandages.

Medications

Over-the-counter medicine may help to ease symptoms. Options include:

• Creams and ointments with cortisone
• Antihistamines—may relieve itching for some. Not always useful for contact dermatitis.

Prescription medicine may be recommended such as:

• Creams or pills with corticosteroids
• Immunosuppressants—for severe reactions, those that do not respond to other treatment, or that happen often

Phototherapy may also be used for severe reactions or those that keep coming back. It uses light to ease some inflammation.

Prevention

To prevent contact dermatitis:

• Find out what substances are causing the problem. Try to avoid them.
• Use gloves or protective clothing if you have to come into contact with the problem substance.
• Use protective skin cream.
• Take care of your skin. Use gentle cleansers and moisturizers.