Condition & Treatment of Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is skin inflammation caused by direct contact with irritating substances such as jewelry or detergent. A red, itchy rash will develop. The rashes can be very uncomfortable, but they are not contagious or life-threatening.

Causes

• Causes of contact dermatitis include metals such as nickel, poison ivy, poison oak or other plants, cosmetics, detergents and medicines such as antibiotics.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of contact dermatitis include itching, skin redness, inflammation and tenderness and skin rashes or lesions which may ooze or become crusty.

Types

• There are two types of contact dermatitis. Irritant dermatitis is the most common and comes from exposure to chemicals. Allergic contact dermatitis can affect any area of the body with a rash appearing up to 48 hours after being exposed to an allergen.

Treatment

• Contact dermatitis is typically treated by thorough washing, avoiding exposure to allergens or things which irritate the skin, corticosteroid skin cream, anti-itch ointment or drying lotions.

Complications

• The itching and continual scratching of contact dermatitis can make the itching worse which can lead to a condition called neurodermatitis. This condition causes skin that is constantly being scratched to become raw, red, darkened, and thick and leathery.