Contact Dermatitis: What is it and how do I treat it?

Contact Dermatitis: What is it and how do I treat it?

Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin, usually a localized rash or irritation of the skin caused by contact with a foreign substance.  There are two types of contact dermatitis, allergic and irritant.

Like all allergic reactions, allergic contact dermatitis comes from a reaction in the immune system. The immune system reacts violently to the foreign substance, usually a plant or animal protein. The immune system reacts by releasing antibodies to fight the allergen. The antibodies are stored on cells, and when those cells come into contact with the allergen, they send out chemicals and hormones called “mediators;” histamines are good examples of a mediator.

In allergic contact dermatitis, unlike most allergic reactions, the trigger is external rather than internal. Generally, you do not have a reaction the first time you’re exposed to an agent; it only starts with the second exposure. Common plant allergens that can cause dermatitis are poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Other allergens include metals, hair and clothing dye, latex, and citric acid found in fruit. Fragrance agents found in perfumes, soaps, and cosmetics can also cause reactions.

Symptoms of contact dermatitis:

• Itchy skin
• Rash or patch of inflamed, dry skin
• Scales/blisters

Symptoms that indicate a more serious condition:

• Open sores or lesions
• Redness, swelling, and/or warmth of the skin around the irritated area
• High fever (101 degrees or higher)

Risk factors:

• A lot of sun exposure while taking certain medications
• History of allergies
• Multiple exposures to common irritants
• Pre-existing skin conditions like Eczema and Psoriasis

Treatments:

Contact dermatitis can almost always be treated. Outbreaks can be avoided, and symptoms can be successfully controlled and/or eliminated altogether. Treatment for contact dermatitis depends on the allergen, your personal medical history, and the severity of the irritation/reaction which may include:

• Antibiotics/antifungal medicines
• Antihistamines
• Corticosteroid creams

How to avoid contact dermatitis:

• Avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Avoid irritating clothing
• Use lotion specifically designed for sensitive skin
• Use soothing soaps and lotions made from oatmeal
• Gently clean skin, never scrub skin harshly

Possible complications:

• Infection
• Open sores
• Permanent scarring
• Permanent discoloration

Some of the most popular causes of contact dermatitis during the summer months are poison ivy, oak, and sumac. When the plants come in contact with your skin, they cause an allergic reaction that manifests as a red and itchy rash with streaks, marked by blisters and hives. The rash/hives are caused by contact with oil found in those plants. You can also get the allergic reaction from indirect contact with the oil, if you touch clothing, gardening tools, or pet fur that has previously come in contact with the plant.

Symptoms of poison ivy/oak/sumac rash:

• Itchy skin where the plant has touched
• Red streaks/general redness in the area
• Raised bumps (hives)
• Blisters filled with fluid

The rash generally appears 8-48 hours after contact with the oil, but can occur from 5 hours to 15 days after touching the plant. The first time you come in contact, it usually takes a week or more for the rash to appear, but the rash will develop much more quickly (within just a few hours or days) after later contacts.

The rash is not contagious, and touching the blister fluid cannot spread it, because the oil is the only way the allergen is spread. Even if the rash seems to be spreading, it is probably just still developing from the initial contact.

The rash can be easily treated at home. Immediately after contact with the plants, wash the area with water. To relieve the symptoms, take cool showers, use wet compresses, and non-prescription antihistamines and/or calamine lotion to relieve the itching.

The more of the plant allergen you come in contact with, the more severe your skin reaction will be. Some people, though, are highly sensitive to these plant allergens and may have serious reactions.

Serious reaction symptoms:

• Large, widespread blisters that contain and produce large amounts of fluid
• Swelling of the face, neck, mouth, genitals, and/or eyelids

Generally the rash lasts about 2-3 weeks, but in people that are very sensitive to the plant allergen, the rash may take up to 6 weeks to heal.

Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to gain more knowledge about your skin so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

For more information or to schedule an appointment contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.