Contact Dermatitis or Irritant Dermatitis

This is a condition resulting from one’s skin touching some substance that either is irritating by itself (irritant dermatitis) or, less commonly, causes an allergic reaction despite being otherwise harmless (allergic dermatitis). The irritants involved can include acids, alkalis, solvents, defensive products from plants like poison ivy or everyday chemicals, including otherwise harmless chemicals that are changed by exposure to the sun or other agents into something that irritates your skin. In some cases irritant dermatitis can occur because low humidity causes the skin to dry up to the point of discomfort. Allergens can include anything else that the body could react to. The symptoms include rawness, itching, inflammation, excessive skin warmth, etc, and, in worse cases, abnormal, damaged and/or broken skin, which may or may not include the release of fluid and or blood. In some cases, the rash may be followed by the blisters, which may also ooze fluid. These systems can kick in early in the case of irritant dermatitis usually a day or after contact with the offending substance and, in the absence of subsequent contact, will disappear in a few days.

Contact Dermatitis Treatment

Treatment can involve providing symptomatic relief, outright cure and/or prevention, and not just one at a time. Symptomatic relief may involve using corticosteroid unguents – some of which can be bought over the counter – that reduce the immune response to the offending agent until the reaction subsides. Washing with water helps, especially if the chemical involved is water-soluble. If you cannot wash it away or dilute it, you could find material to counteract the chemical, too, such as weak acids to break down soaps and other alkaline substance, and vice versa. In some cases, there is no intervention required; you only have to avoid the offending substance. Anti-itch creams can help. Keep the area clean, particularly if the skin is broken, to avoid a secondary infection. If you are not sure what caused the problem, try to locate the agent through patch testing, in which possible agents are pasted on your skin and your reaction to them assessed two days later. Do find out if you are affected by chemically similar substances that may be around to avoid a repetition. You could also take anti-histamines or other drugs that temporarily blunt the reaction of the immune system until you are past the problem. Try not to scratch the skin and, along with cream, protect the sensitive area with some agent like a zinc oxide cream.