Contact dermatitis
Created: 03.08.2023
Updates: 30.12.2023
Approved by: General Practitioner, Dr Binita Parmar
Eczema is an inflammation of the skin. Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema that is caused by contact with something that causes irritation or an allergic reaction.
Symptoms
Contact dermatitis manifests as a red area that often itches or stings. Blisters and skin sores may also develop. Most commonly, contact dermatitis occurs on the hands, but it can also occur in other areas of the body.
There are two types of contact dermatitis: allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis.
Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed type of hypersensitivity, and symptoms appear 24 to 72 hours after exposure to the allergen. This type of dermatitis is often well-defined and improves within a few days.
In irritant contact dermatitis, the rash can appear anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours after exposure to the irritating substance. If it is a mild irritation, the reaction may not become evident until days or weeks after the exposure. This form of dermatitis is typically less well-defined, and it can take several weeks to improve.
Causes
Contact dermatitis is triggered by various substances including metals like Nickel, Cobalt, and Chromium, rubber chemicals, perfumes, and certain plants. Occupational exposure to chemicals and liquids can also cause a toxic variant of this condition. Individual sensitivities to these triggers can vary widely.
Treatment
First and foremost, you should try to identify what caused the problem and avoid contact with it.
A Dermatologist can prescribe steroids or calcineurin inhibitors to control the irritation.
Sometimes, skin irritations can get worse over time if they're not treated. If your skin is bothering you, a Dermatologist can help figure out what's causing the problem by doing an allergy test.
After the irritation is under control, it's time to take good care of your skin. Keep it clean and dry, but avoid excessive washing or drying it out. This can make it more susceptible to further irritation.
Prognosis
If the rash is caused by irritation and you have stopped being in contact with the cause of the irritation, it will pass. The time it takes depends on what the irritant was, how severe your skin reacted to this and how good the body's healing mechanisms are.
If it is the type that is caused by allergies, the prognosis is much the same only that you now know you have an allergy you need to be aware of.
How Dr.Dropin can help you
At Dr.Dropin, you can consult with experienced Dermatologists who can diagnose and treat all skin conditions. Dr.Dropin is committed to providing high-quality Dermatology services at a fixed and predictable price, with short waiting times.
For consultations and treatment of Eczema, you may visit our UK clinic.
