Irritants can cause inflammation or pain and can be chemical, mechanical, thermal, or radiative. They affect the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes and can cause conditions such as eczema or irritant contact dermatitis. Treatment includes avoiding contact with the irritant, using compresses and emollient creams, and sometimes topical steroids or antibiotics. Allergens and irritants are not the same, and irritants cause temporary, local effects.
In biology, an irritant is anything that causes irritation such as inflammation or pain. This can be chemical in nature, but can also be mechanical, thermal or radiative. Chemicals such as the capsaicin in hot peppers, rough fabrics, friction, heat or cold, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are all examples of irritants. Irritants commonly affect the skin, eyes or mucous membranes.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) defines an irritant as a temporary, local effect. Contact with irritants can sometimes be avoided by wearing protective clothing such as goggles or gloves, and the first line of treatment for irritants is usually to rinse the affected area with water. If irritation persists, consult a doctor. While irritation is a temporary problem, some irritants can cause more long-term damage.
Irritants are not the same as allergens, although the two can overlap. Allergens cause an immune response, while irritants cause irritation through abrasion or by removing moisture from the affected area. The effects of irritants are limited, at least initially, to the area in direct contact with them, while an allergen can have more widespread or systemic effects. Finally, a certain amount of an irritant is required to have an effect, whereas allergens can typically cause a reaction in much smaller amounts.
One possible effect of contact with irritants is a condition such as eczema or irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), which affects the skin. Symptoms may include redness, rash, blisters, itching, swelling, dryness, and peeling. Many different factors contribute to the severity and duration of irritant contact eczema. These include the duration and frequency of contact with the irritant, the strength and quantity of the irritant, the sensitivity of the sufferer’s skin, and environmental factors.
The ICD can affect anyone, although those with atopic dermatitis and those who frequently handle irritants as part of their job are the most susceptible. Young children can develop ICDs around their mouths if they frequently dribble or lick their lips. Also, many people develop the condition in the winter due to cold, dry air.
When allergy is ruled out, the ICD can be treated with compresses, emollient creams, and sometimes topical steroids or antibiotics for secondary infections. The patient should avoid contact with the irritant whenever possible and should keep the affected area clean and moisturized. The skin can develop tolerance to some irritants over time.
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