Contact dermatitis is an itchy and red rash that crops up on your epidermis when you touch or have a reaction to a few substances. For instance, fragrances, cosmetics, jewellery, plants, and soaps. It happens because the protective layer of your dermis got damaged. In addition, it develops indeed within minutes to hours and may last 2 to 4 weeks. Although it’s not life-threatening, yet it can be extremely uncomfortable.
Symptoms & Causes
The signs of the condition include a red rash, itching (it may be severe), dry & cracked skin, bumps & blisters, swelling, burning or tenderness, etc. However, Contact Dermatitis is caused by a substance you are exposed to which either irritates your skin or triggers an allergic reaction. And, it could be one of the hundreds of unknown irritants and allergens. Amid them, some may cause both allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. A few common irritants include solvents, bleach & detergents, saw & wool dust, rubbing alcohol, shampoos, plants, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Risk Factors & Complications
You may know or not, some hobbies and jobs put you at a higher risk of contact dermatitis. This includes gardeners & agricultural workers, health care & dental employees, metal & construction workers, auto mechanics, hairdressers & cosmetologists, scuba divers or swimmers, cooks, and many more. Additionally, it can undeniably lead to an infection if you frequently scratch the affected area, causing it to become oozing and wet. This creates a good place for fungi or bacteria to grow and may cause an infection.
Prevention:
- Avoid Irritants & Allergens: Try to determine and avoid substances that irritate your dermis or cause an allergic reaction.
- Wash Your Skin: You might be able to remove most of the rash-causing substances, particularly if you wash the dermis right away after coming into contact with it. For this, simply use warm water, fragrance-free soap, and rinse properly.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Employ goggles, face masks, gloves, as well as other protective items since they can shield you from various irritating substances.
- Apply a Barrier Gel and Cream: These products help you develop a protective layer for your epidermis.
- Utilize moisturizer: Applying moisturizing lotions regularly allows you to restore the skin’s outermost layer and keep it supple.
When to See a Physician
You should visit a doctor if:
- The rash is severe and painful
- It doesn’t get better than too within 3 weeks
- It affects your genitals or face
- It is so uncomfortable
Treatment:
Whenever it comes to treating Contact Dermatitis, you should avoid all the substances causing the rash. Apart from this, paying attention to all the above-mentioned prevention will be a great help for you.