|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Skin Disorders (Home) > Contact Allergy Contact allergy, usually called contact dermatitis, occurs when skin experiences an allergic reaction caused by an outside irritant. Poison ivy and relatives of poison ivy such as poison sumac and poison oak are the most common cause of dermatitis. What Causes Contact Allergy Dermatitis? According to the Medline Plus web site, the most common causes of contact allergy dermatitis include: * Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac * Other plants * Nickel or other metals * Medications o Antibiotics, especially those applied to the surface of the skin (topical) o Topical anesthetics o Other medications * Rubber * Cosmetics * Fabrics and clothing * Detergents * Solvents * Adhesives * Fragrances, perfumes * Other chemicals and substances Commonly, people suffer from nickel and rubber allergies that occur when there is contact of these items with naked skin. Accessories and clothing made with nickel are very common, and sufferers of nickel allergies find they must take some precautions when shopping or putting on clothing. Hot weather often makes these allergies worse, because sweating and heat can aggravate contact allergy dermatitis. In the initial stages, contact allergy dermatitis may look like a common heat rash. What are the Symptoms of Contact Allergy Dermatitis? Contact allergy dermatitis may not be distinguishable from other rashes. The most common symptoms associated with dermatitis are: - Itching Sufferers of contact allergy dermatitis often report an itching, or burning sensation in the area affected by the allergy. - Redness Redness or blistering of the skin may be observed, a common skin reaction to contact allergy dermatitis. This symptom usually must be treated before improvement can be noticed. - Irritation Irritation and discomfort of skin that is affected by the allergy has been very commonly reported by those with contact allergy dermatitis. This irritation may fade when contact with the allergen is discontinued. Contact allergy dermatitis often causes skin to redden and blister. In some cases, these blisters can turn scaly, or rupture and cause infection. Contact Allergy Dermatitis Treatment If left untreated, contact allergy dermatitis can cause a bacterial skin infection that will usually only worsen with time. This could cause the allergy to spread, increasing pain and discomfort. You should consult with a physician if you are suffering from the symptoms of contact allergy dermatitis. Because contact allergy dermatitis is very similar to other types of skin rashes, it’s very hard to diagnose contact allergy dermatitis on your own. Improper treatment of the rash could cause it to spread, and make the irritation and blistering much worse. Consult with a doctor before trying to treat this rash on your own. Avoiding Contact Allergies Many choose to treat contact allergy dermatitis on their own. This is because in some cases, contact allergy dermatitis may fade when contact with the allergen is discontinued. For some, however, the allergen may not be readily apparent. Some contact allergies can be developed slowly over time, making it almost impossible for sufferers to isolate the cause of the allergy. If you think you can isolate the cause of the allergy, avoid skin contact with the suspected irritant. In many cases, this will case the rash to fade and decrease pain and discomfort associated with the rash. Before applying any medication to the skin, however, you should consult with a physician. Preventing Contact Allergies Because it is very hard to predict what allergens may cause dermatitis to erupt on the skin, it would be almost impossible to avoid contact allergies. Very common and well known irritants, such as poison ivy, can be avoided to reduce the chances of exposure to contact allergy dermatitis. Summary Contact allergies, or dermatitis, can be very irritating and painful. Left untreated, they may cause other infections and discomfort.
|
Bookmark This Page: Add to Favorites Add to Del.icio.us Send to a Friend Resources: |
||||||||||||||||
