What is Allergic Dermatitis or Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it. The rash isn’t contagious or life-threatening, but it can be very uncomfortable. Many substances can cause such reactions, including soaps, cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry and plants. To treat contact dermatitis successfully, you need to identify and avoid the cause of your reaction. If you can avoid the offending substance, the rash usually clears up in two to four weeks. You can try soothing your skin with cool, wet compresses, anti-itch creams and other self-care steps.
Symptoms
Contact dermatitis usually occurs on areas of your body that have been directly exposed to the reaction-causing substance — for example, along a calf that brushed against poison ivy or under a watchband. The rash usually develops within minutes to hours of exposure and can last two to four weeks.
- Signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis include:
- A red rash
- Itching, which may be severe
- Dry, cracked, scaly skin
- Bumps and blisters, sometimes with oozing and crusting
- Swelling, burning or tenderness
Health Tips & Info
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if:
The rash is so uncomfortable that you are losing sleep or are distracted from your daily activities
The rash is sudden, painful, severe or widespread
You’re embarrassed by the way your skin looks
The rash doesn’t get better within three weeks
The rash affects your face or genitals
Seek immediate medical care in the following situations:
You think your skin is infected. Clues include fever and pus oozing from blisters.
Your lungs, eyes or nasal passages are painful and inflamed, perhaps from inhaling an allergen.
You think the rash has damaged the mucous lining of your mouth and digestive tract.
Complications
Contact dermatitis can lead to an infection if you repeatedly scratch the affected area, causing it to become wet and oozing. This creates a good place for bacteria or fungi to grow and may cause an infection.
Risk factors
𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬. 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
Health care and dental employees
Metalworkers,
Construction workers,
Hairdressers and cosmetologists,
Auto mechanics,
Scuba divers or swimmers, due to the rubber in face masks or goggles,
Cleaners,
Gardeners and agricultural workers,
Cooks and others who work with food
Prevention
General prevention steps include the following:
- Avoid irritants and allergens.Try to identify and avoid substances that irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction.
- Wash your skin.You might be able to remove most of the rash-causing substance if you wash your skin right away after coming into contact with it. Use a mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water. Rinse completely. Also wash any clothing or other items that may have come into contact with a plant allergen, such as poison ivy.
- Wear protective clothing or gloves.Face masks, goggles, gloves and other protective items can shield you from irritating substances, including household cleansers.
- Apply an iron-on patch to cover metal fasteners next to your skin.This can help you avoid a reaction to jean snaps, for example.
- Apply a barrier cream or gel.These products can provide a protective layer for your skin. For example, an over-the-counter skin cream containing bentoquatam (IvyBlock) may prevent or lessen your skin’s reaction to poison ivy.
- Use moisturizer.Regularly applying moisturizing lotions can help restore your skin’s outermost layer and keep your skin supple.
- Take care around pets.Allergens from plants, such as poison ivy, can cling to pets and then be spread to people.