Contact dermatitis can be caused by irritants such as poison ivy or by allergic reactions to substances like nickel. It can be diagnosed through self-examination or skin tests, and treatment includes eliminating the offending substance and using topical anesthetics or steroids. Lifestyle changes can also help reduce exposure to potential irritants and allergens.
Many of us experience contact dermatitis after encountering one of the unholy trinity of plants: poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. The oils from these plants come in direct contact with the skin and cause a chemical irritation. Medical professionals call this irritant contact dermatitis or ICD. Other causes of ICDs can be soaps, detergents, hair dyes, foods, detergents, or pesticides. This condition accounts for up to 80% of reported cases.
The remaining 20% of cases of contact dermatitis result from allergic reactions, especially developed over time. As a result, this form of the disease is called allergic contact dermatitis, or ACD. Instead of an external irritant causing a direct reaction with the skin, ACD is caused by the body’s immune system. If a person is thought to be hypersensitive to nickel, for example, a rash may form directly under a nickel-plated bracelet. A hairstylist can develop a sensitivity to certain hair dyes, causing a patch of red, scaly skin to form on contact areas.
In the case of the ICD, the effect can be immediate or cumulative. Exposure to poison ivy oils can create a localized rash within 24 hours, but it may take weeks or months for harsh laundry detergent to do any noticeable damage. Incidents of this type of dermatitis are among the most commonly reported occupational injuries. This has led many companies to provide protective gloves, emergency wash down areas and protective barrier creams for workers exposed to harsh chemicals on a daily basis.
Diagnosing ACD can be a time consuming project. Many people self-examine, eliminating all possible irritants from their lives and then methodically restoring them one by one. Any negative reactions during the process should narrow down the list of possible allergens. Both irritant and allergic dermatitis can be controlled by totally eliminating the offending substances. A dermatologist may also perform a skin test in which samples of common chemicals and plants are placed on patches of healthy skin. Any negative reactions are noted for future reference and treatment.
Chronic contact dermatitis conditions such as eczema can rarely be cured. Instead, dermatologists often prescribe topical anesthetics to reduce itching and steroids such as prednisone. Scratching the affected areas can make the irritation worse, so experts suggest using wet compresses to relieve itching and peripheral swelling. The recommended treatment for most cases of contact dermatitis is no treatment at all. The inflamed skin should be given time to heal on its own, which usually happens within 2 months. The long-term course of treatment is usually a lifestyle change to reduce exposure to potential irritants and allergens.
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