Contact dermatitis: causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment
Posted by Ivatherm
Contact dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by the appearance of a rash when the skin comes into contact with an allergenic substance. Itching (pruritus), redness (erythema), and pain in the affected area are among the symptoms of this condition.
Contact dermatitis is a common condition, as irritants and potential allergens are ubiquitous. You may suffer from contact dermatitis more frequently if you also have another chronic condition, such as atopic dermatitis, or a high skin sensitivity.
Any part of the body that comes into contact with an irritating agent can be affected, but typically, contact dermatitis affects the hands, arms, and face.
In the following lines, you will learn about the causes of contact dermatitis and its most common symptoms, what prevention methods exist and how it can be treated, as well as what complications can arise if you do not seek specialized help in time.
Table of Contents
What is contact dermatitis?
Dermatitis (eczema) is the medical term for inflammation or irritation of the skin. Contact dermatitis is one of the common eczema types and is an allergic or irritating reaction, manifesting as painful or itchy skin rashes.
As the name suggests, this skin condition occurs as a result of contact with an allergen (e.g., poison ivy) or an irritating agent (e.g., a chemical substance).
Types of contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is divided into three types, two of which are more common:
Allergic contact dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis
Photocontact dermatitis
1. Allergic contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis occurs as a result of a body reaction after exposure to a substance (allergen) to which you have a certain sensitivity. Usually, only the area of the body that comes into contact with allergens is affected, but allergic contact dermatitis can also be triggered by certain substances that enter the body through food or medication.
After prolonged exposure, the body releases inflammatory mediators, which can cause irritation and itching on the skin.
Among the most common allergens that can cause allergic dermatitis are:
Jewelry (usually made of nickel or gold)
Cosmetic products
Perfumes
Antibiotic creams
Oral antihistamines
Preservatives
Latex gloves
Ragweed pollen
Poisonous plants
Several days may pass from exposure to these substances until the appearance of the first symptoms (itching, skin rash). Once you have developed an allergy to a substance, even a small amount can cause a reaction.
2. Irritant contact dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common type of contact dermatitis. This painful rash tends to appear quickly as a result of contact with an irritating substance that damages skin cells.
Among the substances that can cause irritant contact dermatitis are:
Detergents
Soaps
Solvents
Cleaning products
Bleaches
Rubbing alcohol (spirit)
Kerosene
Fertilizers
Pesticides
Pepper sprays
Irritant contact dermatitis can also occur when the skin comes into contact with materials or substances that are not necessarily toxic, such as water.
People who work in fields where they frequently come into contact with water, such as hairdressers, bartenders, and healthcare personnel, often suffer from irritant contact dermatitis on their hands.
Some people react to strong irritants after a single exposure. In others, symptoms may appear after repeated exposures to even mild irritants. Also, some people develop a tolerance to substances after a period of time.
3. Photocontact dermatitis
Photocontact dermatitis is less common and occurs as a result of a reaction that happens when the active ingredients in a cosmetic product are exposed to sunlight and cause irritation.
Symptoms of contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis usually appears on body areas that have been directly exposed to reaction-causing substances. The skin rash can develop within the first few minutes of exposure or after a few hours and can persist for two to four weeks.
Characteristic symptoms of contact dermatitis include:
Burning, stinging, and tenderness at the site of the rash
Swelling of the affected area
Pain
If the skin is lighter, the spots may be red, whereas if the skin is darker, the rash may be dark brown, purple, or gray.
Symptoms can appear in any area of the body, but the most exposed parts are the hands, arms, and face.
The manifestations of contact dermatitis can have a strong impact on quality of life, causing, among other things, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and problems in performing tasks at work or school.
Causes of contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is caused by a substance you are exposed to that irritates your skin or triggers an allergic reaction. There are two types of substances that can cause contact dermatitis:
Allergens – substances that cause the immune system to respond with an inflammatory reaction.
Irritants – substances that directly affect the superficial layer of the skin and the hydrolipidic barrier.
Some substances – both in the category of allergens and irritants – can cause both irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.
People who do manual labor are more at risk of developing contact dermatitis because they are exposed daily to certain substances with allergenic potential.
Among those at high risk of developing contact dermatitis are:
Medical professionals
Metalworkers
Construction workers
Auto mechanics
Swimmers and divers
Cleaning staff
Gardeners and agricultural workers
Chefs and other food handlers
Plumbers
Artists
Diagnosis of contact dermatitis
A specialist doctor can diagnose contact dermatitis and identify its cause after a discussion with the patient about symptoms (anamnesis) and a thorough examination of the affected skin.
The clinical examination can reveal clues for the diagnosis of contact dermatitis. Monitoring daily activities and the substances you come into contact with facilitates the diagnostic process for this condition. The next step would be to avoid contact with suspected irritants to see if the skin irritation disappears. If this is not possible, further investigations will be conducted.
For cases of allergic dermatitis, a patch test can identify the underlying cause of the condition. This test involves wearing patches on the skin that contain chemicals known to trigger various allergic reactions. After 48 hours, the doctor checks how the skin reacts to these substances.
There is no specific test for irritant dermatitis, but the doctor can determine what is causing the rashes based on the types of irritants or chemicals you frequently come into contact with.
Contact dermatitis: treatment
Most of the time, contact dermatitis is not a cause for concern, as it is not a life-threatening condition. However, it is advisable to seek medical assistance, especially if the irritation is very close to the mouth or eyes or if it covers a large area of the body.
If the substance causing contact dermatitis can be identified and avoided, the symptoms should improve, and most will disappear completely.
However, if, due to profession or other reasons, the substances causing contact dermatitis cannot be avoided, there are several treatments that help reduce the manifestations of the disease.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the dermatologist may prescribe:
Emollients – moisturizing treatments applied directly to the skin, to reduce water loss, to cover the area with a protective film, and to restore the skin's hydrolipidic barrier. Emollients are of several types – in certain situations, specialists may recommend using a mix of emollients:
Corticosteroid creams or ointments – to reduce inflammation. These products are applied topically, directly to the affected skin, and, if used according to specialists' advice, represent a safe and effective treatment against contact dermatitis.
Antihistamines and antibiotics – to relieve itching and treat infections.
Immunosuppressive drugs – part of the recommended treatment for severe cases. These reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system.
Phototherapy – through which affected areas are exposed to ultraviolet light to improve the appearance of the skin.
Most cases of contact dermatitis clear up on their own once the triggering substance is no longer in contact with the skin. Therefore, if the symptoms are not severe, you can treat damaged skin at home. To soothe the skin, some simple but effective remedies are the following:
Wash the affected skin with a gentle, non-allergenic, fragrance-free soap and cold water immediately after exposure to an irritating substance or allergen.
Stop using products you believe trigger skin irritation to avoid worsening symptoms.
Apply hydrocortisone products to small areas of skin for a very short time, 2-3 days, maximum one week.
Apply thermal water several times a day for its calming and anti-irritant effect.
Avoid scratching the irritated area, as scratching can worsen the rash and favor the appearance of infections.
Contact dermatitis: prevention
The most effective way to prevent contact dermatitis is to identify triggers and keep them at bay. If the skin comes into contact with an allergen or irritant, it is necessary to clean the area with water as quickly as possible to reduce the immune system's reaction.
If you don't know the exact causes of skin rashes, try implementing the following steps:
Use only fragrance-free or hypoallergenic cosmetic products and detergents.
Wear protective equipment when you know you might come into contact with an irritant or allergen: trousers, long-sleeved shirts – if you are exposed to the sun, gloves and goggles – if you are using cleaning products.
Test any new product on a small area of your body before using it, especially if you have sensitive skin.
If you notice irritation after using a product, stop using it.
Use an effective cream to keep the outer layer of the skin strong and hydrated.
Use skin cleansing products that have soothing and anti-irritant properties.
Cicaderm Barrier Cream with Mimosa Tenuiflora, an Ivatherm product, isolates, repairs, and protects skin exposed to external aggressions and prevents the appearance of contact dermatitis. It restores skin integrity, calms the skin, and ensures long-term comfort. The 3% Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel is soap-free and fragrance-free, making it suitable for all types of sensitive skin.
Contact dermatitis: complications
Contact dermatitis usually manifests as an irritation that appears in a certain area of the body and disappears within two or three weeks. However, there are situations when the rash is persistent or severe and spreads to large parts of the body. In rare cases, contact dermatitis can lead to complications.
Infections
Moist skin or open lesions due to scratching are risk factors for developing bacterial and fungal infections. The most common forms of infection are those with staphylococcus and streptococcus. These can cause a condition called impetigo (sweet sores), which affects the upper layer of the skin (epidermis). Most bacterial and fungal infections can be treated with antibiotics and antifungal medications.
Neurodermatitis
Scratching or itching increases the urge to scratch. For this reason, the skin's texture can change, becoming thicker, scaly, and discolored. These are symptoms of neurodermatitis, one of the seven types of eczema. Treatment for neurodermatitis may include corticosteroid creams and anti-itch medications.
Infectious cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection. Most often, it is caused by bacteria such as streptococci or staphylococci. Symptoms of infectious cellulitis (which is different from skin with an orange peel appearance – a problem known as cellulite – which develops mainly on the thighs, buttocks, breasts or abdomen) include fever, as well as redness and pain in the affected areas. If the immune system is weakened, infectious cellulitis can be fatal. Treatment for infectious cellulitis is with oral antibiotics.
Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock
This is a severe allergic reaction that can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen, usually food. Anaphylactic shock occurs immediately after exposure to an allergic substance and manifests as edema, tissue swelling, the appearance of skin rashes, a drop in blood pressure, and narrowing of the airways, which makes breathing difficult. It is a major emergency and requires urgent hospitalization and epinephrine injection.
Decreased quality of life
If the symptoms of contact dermatitis are severe and persistent or cause scarring, the quality of life can be affected. The inability to perform daily tasks or embarrassment about the appearance of the skin can impact lifestyle. Therefore, it is important to prevent or treat contact dermatitis in its early stages.
Is contact dermatitis contagious?
No, contact dermatitis is not contagious. As described above, this condition occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritating or allergenic substance, triggering a local reaction. It is not transmitted from person to person, neither through touch nor through common objects.
In conclusion, contact dermatitis is a type of eczema triggered when the skin comes into contact with a certain substance. Although not contagious or life-threatening, contact dermatitis can affect quality of life, causing, among other things, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and problems performing daily tasks. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist as soon as you notice significant changes in your skin.
Echipa Ivatherm
Conținutul IvaStories este creat de echipa Ivatherm, brand romanesc de dermatocosmetice fondat de Dr. Rucsandra Hurezeanu. Produsele Ivatherm sunt formulate cu Apă Termală Herculane și sunt testate dermatologic, recomandate de medici specialiști.
Contact dermatitis: causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment
Contact dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by the appearance of a rash when the skin comes into contact with an allergenic substance. Itching (pruritus), redness (erythema), and pain in the affected area are among the symptoms of this condition.
Contact dermatitis is a common condition, as irritants and potential allergens are ubiquitous. You may suffer from contact dermatitis more frequently if you also have another chronic condition, such as atopic dermatitis, or a high skin sensitivity.
Any part of the body that comes into contact with an irritating agent can be affected, but typically, contact dermatitis affects the hands, arms, and face.
In the following lines, you will learn about the causes of contact dermatitis and its most common symptoms, what prevention methods exist and how it can be treated, as well as what complications can arise if you do not seek specialized help in time.
Table of Contents
What is contact dermatitis?
Dermatitis (eczema) is the medical term for inflammation or irritation of the skin. Contact dermatitis is one of the common eczema types and is an allergic or irritating reaction, manifesting as painful or itchy skin rashes.
As the name suggests, this skin condition occurs as a result of contact with an allergen (e.g., poison ivy) or an irritating agent (e.g., a chemical substance).
Types of contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is divided into three types, two of which are more common:
1. Allergic contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis occurs as a result of a body reaction after exposure to a substance (allergen) to which you have a certain sensitivity. Usually, only the area of the body that comes into contact with allergens is affected, but allergic contact dermatitis can also be triggered by certain substances that enter the body through food or medication.
After prolonged exposure, the body releases inflammatory mediators, which can cause irritation and itching on the skin.
Among the most common allergens that can cause allergic dermatitis are:
Several days may pass from exposure to these substances until the appearance of the first symptoms (itching, skin rash). Once you have developed an allergy to a substance, even a small amount can cause a reaction.
2. Irritant contact dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common type of contact dermatitis. This painful rash tends to appear quickly as a result of contact with an irritating substance that damages skin cells.
Among the substances that can cause irritant contact dermatitis are:
Irritant contact dermatitis can also occur when the skin comes into contact with materials or substances that are not necessarily toxic, such as water.
People who work in fields where they frequently come into contact with water, such as hairdressers, bartenders, and healthcare personnel, often suffer from irritant contact dermatitis on their hands.
Some people react to strong irritants after a single exposure. In others, symptoms may appear after repeated exposures to even mild irritants. Also, some people develop a tolerance to substances after a period of time.
3. Photocontact dermatitis
Photocontact dermatitis is less common and occurs as a result of a reaction that happens when the active ingredients in a cosmetic product are exposed to sunlight and cause irritation.
Symptoms of contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis usually appears on body areas that have been directly exposed to reaction-causing substances. The skin rash can develop within the first few minutes of exposure or after a few hours and can persist for two to four weeks.
Characteristic symptoms of contact dermatitis include:
If the skin is lighter, the spots may be red, whereas if the skin is darker, the rash may be dark brown, purple, or gray.
Symptoms can appear in any area of the body, but the most exposed parts are the hands, arms, and face.
The manifestations of contact dermatitis can have a strong impact on quality of life, causing, among other things, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and problems in performing tasks at work or school.
Causes of contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is caused by a substance you are exposed to that irritates your skin or triggers an allergic reaction. There are two types of substances that can cause contact dermatitis:
Some substances – both in the category of allergens and irritants – can cause both irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.
People who do manual labor are more at risk of developing contact dermatitis because they are exposed daily to certain substances with allergenic potential.
Among those at high risk of developing contact dermatitis are:
Diagnosis of contact dermatitis
A specialist doctor can diagnose contact dermatitis and identify its cause after a discussion with the patient about symptoms (anamnesis) and a thorough examination of the affected skin.
The clinical examination can reveal clues for the diagnosis of contact dermatitis. Monitoring daily activities and the substances you come into contact with facilitates the diagnostic process for this condition. The next step would be to avoid contact with suspected irritants to see if the skin irritation disappears. If this is not possible, further investigations will be conducted.
For cases of allergic dermatitis, a patch test can identify the underlying cause of the condition. This test involves wearing patches on the skin that contain chemicals known to trigger various allergic reactions. After 48 hours, the doctor checks how the skin reacts to these substances.
There is no specific test for irritant dermatitis, but the doctor can determine what is causing the rashes based on the types of irritants or chemicals you frequently come into contact with.
Contact dermatitis: treatment
Most of the time, contact dermatitis is not a cause for concern, as it is not a life-threatening condition. However, it is advisable to seek medical assistance, especially if the irritation is very close to the mouth or eyes or if it covers a large area of the body.
If the substance causing contact dermatitis can be identified and avoided, the symptoms should improve, and most will disappear completely.
However, if, due to profession or other reasons, the substances causing contact dermatitis cannot be avoided, there are several treatments that help reduce the manifestations of the disease.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the dermatologist may prescribe:
Most cases of contact dermatitis clear up on their own once the triggering substance is no longer in contact with the skin. Therefore, if the symptoms are not severe, you can treat damaged skin at home. To soothe the skin, some simple but effective remedies are the following:
Contact dermatitis: prevention
The most effective way to prevent contact dermatitis is to identify triggers and keep them at bay. If the skin comes into contact with an allergen or irritant, it is necessary to clean the area with water as quickly as possible to reduce the immune system's reaction.
If you don't know the exact causes of skin rashes, try implementing the following steps:
Contact dermatitis: complications
Contact dermatitis usually manifests as an irritation that appears in a certain area of the body and disappears within two or three weeks. However, there are situations when the rash is persistent or severe and spreads to large parts of the body. In rare cases, contact dermatitis can lead to complications.
Infections
Moist skin or open lesions due to scratching are risk factors for developing bacterial and fungal infections. The most common forms of infection are those with staphylococcus and streptococcus. These can cause a condition called impetigo (sweet sores), which affects the upper layer of the skin (epidermis). Most bacterial and fungal infections can be treated with antibiotics and antifungal medications.
Neurodermatitis
Scratching or itching increases the urge to scratch. For this reason, the skin's texture can change, becoming thicker, scaly, and discolored. These are symptoms of neurodermatitis, one of the seven types of eczema. Treatment for neurodermatitis may include corticosteroid creams and anti-itch medications.
Infectious cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection. Most often, it is caused by bacteria such as streptococci or staphylococci. Symptoms of infectious cellulitis (which is different from skin with an orange peel appearance – a problem known as cellulite – which develops mainly on the thighs, buttocks, breasts or abdomen) include fever, as well as redness and pain in the affected areas. If the immune system is weakened, infectious cellulitis can be fatal. Treatment for infectious cellulitis is with oral antibiotics.
Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock
This is a severe allergic reaction that can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen, usually food. Anaphylactic shock occurs immediately after exposure to an allergic substance and manifests as edema, tissue swelling, the appearance of skin rashes, a drop in blood pressure, and narrowing of the airways, which makes breathing difficult. It is a major emergency and requires urgent hospitalization and epinephrine injection.
Decreased quality of life
If the symptoms of contact dermatitis are severe and persistent or cause scarring, the quality of life can be affected. The inability to perform daily tasks or embarrassment about the appearance of the skin can impact lifestyle. Therefore, it is important to prevent or treat contact dermatitis in its early stages.
Is contact dermatitis contagious?
No, contact dermatitis is not contagious. As described above, this condition occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritating or allergenic substance, triggering a local reaction. It is not transmitted from person to person, neither through touch nor through common objects.
In conclusion, contact dermatitis is a type of eczema triggered when the skin comes into contact with a certain substance. Although not contagious or life-threatening, contact dermatitis can affect quality of life, causing, among other things, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and problems performing daily tasks. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist as soon as you notice significant changes in your skin.
Echipa Ivatherm
Conținutul IvaStories este creat de echipa Ivatherm, brand romanesc de dermatocosmetice fondat de Dr. Rucsandra Hurezeanu. Produsele Ivatherm sunt formulate cu Apă Termală Herculane și sunt testate dermatologic, recomandate de medici specialiști.