Allergic Contact Dermatitis - Symptoms & Treatment

Allergic contact dermatitis is a common skin condition which causes an itchy weeping rash localised to the area in contact with the allergic trigger. Allergic contact dermatitis should be distinguished from contact urticaria , in which a rash appears within minutes of exposure and fades away within minutes to hours. The allergic reaction to latex is the best known example of allergic contact urticaria. It is caused by your body's reaction to something that directly contacts the skin. Many different substances can cause allergic contact dermatitis, which are called 'allergens'. It arises some hours after contact with the responsible material, and settles down over some days providing the skin is no longer in contact with it. Allergic contact dermatitis is not usually caused by things like acid, alkali, solvent, strong soap or detergent. These harsh compounds, which can produce a reaction on anyone's skin, are known as 'irritants'. Although some chemicals are both irritants and allergens, allergic contact dermatitis results from brief contact with substances that don't usually provoke a reaction in most people. The most common types of allergic contact dermatitis are allergy to poison ivy and poison oak.

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs more commonly in adults. Other common causes of allergic contact dermatitis are chemicals in rubber, leather and dyes. The dermatitis usually shows redness, swelling and water blisters, from tiny to large. The blisters may break, forming crusts and scales. Untreated, the skin may darken and become leathery and cracked. Allergic contact dermatitis results in large, burning, and itchy rashes, and these can take anywhere from several days to weeks to heal. Allergic contact dermatitis can be difficult to distinguish from other rashes, especially after it been present for a while. In general, you can prevent allergic contact dermatitis by avoiding exposure to irritating chemicals, plants, jewelry and other substances that trigger irritant allergic contact dermatitis. Change of occupation or occupational habits may be necessary if the disorder is caused by occupational exposure. Initial treatment includes thorough washing with lots of water to remove any trace of the irritant that may remain on the skin. Further exposure to known irritants or allergens should be avoided. Topical corticosteroid medications may reduce inflammation. In severe cases, systemic corticosteroids may be needed to reduce inflammation.

Causes of Allergic contact dermatitis

Common causes of Allergic contact dermatitis:

• Injury to the skin.
• Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac.
• Detergents, and cleaning products.
• Fragrances, perfumes.
• Exposure to a material to which the person has become hypersensitive.
• A history of any type of allergies.

Symptoms of Allergic contact dermatitis

Some sign and symptoms related to Allergic contact dermatitis are as follows:

• Tenderness of the skin in the exposed area.
• Warmth of the exposed area.
• Itching of the skin in exposed areas.
• Localized swelling of the skin.
• Skin redness or inflammation in the exposed area.

Treatment of Allergic contact dermatitis

Common treatment of Allergic contact dermatitis:

• Topical or oral antibiotics for secondary infection.
• Calamine lotion and cool collodial oatmeal baths may relieve itching.
• Tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream are immune modulating drugs that inhibit calcineurin and may prove helpful for allergic contact dermatitis.
• In severe cases, systemic corticosteroids may be needed to reduce inflammation.
• For mild cases that cover a relatively small area, hydrocortisone cream in nonprescription strength may be sufficient.