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An itchy, swollen rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to the substance.
What is it?
There are two types of contact dermatitis. The most prevalent is irritant dermatitis, activated by the skin's reaction to aggravating substances. Common irritants, such as soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, hand sanitizers, disinfectants and cleaning chemicals, can trigger contact dermatitis. To prevent irritant dermatitis, it's advisable to use gentle soaps and cleaners.
The other variation is allergic contact dermatitis, which appears when the skin comes into contact with a material that incites an allergic reaction. Things like adhesives, topical antibiotics, dyes in clothing, towels, washcloths, hair dye, nail polish, plants like poison ivy, poison oak and sumac and rubber or latex gloves can provoke allergic contact dermatitis. It's important to understand that determining the exact cause of allergic contact dermatitis can be challenging due to the delayed appearance of the rash after exposure to the allergen.
Contact dermatitis can occur in anyone, but certain groups are more susceptible. This includes individuals with pre-existing skin conditions such as eczema, which can impair your skin's protective function. Symptoms fluctuate based on the cause or type of dermatitis and typically alleviate once the allergen or irritant is removed. However, identifying the origin can prove challenging, so if your rash is continuous and doesn't subside, our board-certified dermatologists in Beavercreek, Ohio, are here to help ascertain the cause and devise an appropriate treatment strategy.
How is it treated?
Recognizing the source of skin irritation or inflammation and then removing it is important to treating dermatitis. To alleviate inflammation and discomfort, you could initiate with a cool, damp cloth on the rash and inflamed region. If the rash persists beyond four to six weeks, contact us to schedule a consultation with a member of our team at Beavercreek Dermatology. We are equipped to provide in-practice treatment alternatives such as topical corticosteroid creams or, in severe instances, corticosteroid oral medication.