Live Life Team
Contact dermatitis is a condition which results in the inflammation of the skin due to the acquaintance with a specific substance that can result in inflammation of the skin.
Contact dermatitis can be:
Allergic contact dermatitis which occurs as a result of some allergens.
Irritant contact dermatitis which occurs as a result of some irritant’s contact.
Irritant contact dermatitis is found commonly than allergic contact dermatitis. People of any age can develop this condition. Where older people develop this due to sensitivity to medicines, women develop this due to sensitivity to cosmetics.
Symptoms
Both the types of contact dermatitis are characterised by the skin becoming:
- inflamed
- red
- blistered
- cracked
- thickened and
- dry.
The commonly affected locations are the face and skin.
People having allergic contact dermatitis have an itchy skin, in addition to the above mentioned symptoms. The symptoms will be visible only after a long time after the person comes into contact with the allergen.
Persons who have irritant contact dermatitis will have a stinging, soreness and burning skin. The symptoms for this type of contact dermatitis will be visible only after forty eight hours the person comes into contact with the irritant.
Causes
Allergic contact dermatitis
If the person is allergic to a specific substance, the skin develops red rashes as soon as the person touches that substance. The rashes develop because of the abnormal reaction of the immune system to the allergen.
The allergens that can cause this kind of dermatitis are;
- metals
- cosmetics
- textiles having resins and dyes
- rubber
- strong adhesives
- certain medicinal creams
- plants like daffodils, tulips etc.
Irritant contact dermatitis
The triggers for irritant contact dermatitis are:
- soaps and detergents
- preservative and perfumes used in the cosmetics as well as toiletries
- abrasives and solvents
- oils
- acids
- alkalis
- powders
- cement
- hard and chlorinated water
- soil
- plants like mustards and anemone
Some of the jobs given below can also cause this infection. They are:
- catering and preparation of food
- housekeeping and cleaning
- hair dressing
- fishing and agriculture
- construction and engineering
- veterinary clinics
- dentistry clinics
- medical profession
- painting and printing
Some other factors that can worsen dermatitis are;
- Cold
- heat
- friction
- as well as
- low humidity or dry air.
Treatment
Avoid the factors that trigger the condition like cosmetics and toiletries
Emollients can be used to keep the skin soothe and soft. This also helps for maintaining the moisture level of the skin to prevent it from becoming dry and developing cracks.
Avoid rubbing emollients to avoid irritation of the skin.
Use emollients in liquid form if the skin is inflamed and red.
Topical corticosteroids can be used if the skin is extremely sore, red or inflamed.
Complications
Since a few symptoms tend to be present for a longer period of time the way the person spend his life in a normal way will be affected. This can lead to unhappiness and depression.
Bacterial infection may develop on the skin affected with contact dermatitis. The worsening of the bacterial infection can result in the area becoming hotter and painful.
