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| Contact Dermatitis | When we talk about contact dermatitis we should distinguish two types of it: irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis:
Irritant contact dermatitis comes as a result of an offending agent that actually damages the skin with which it comes into contact. The longer the skin is in contact-or the more concentrated the agent-the more severe the reaction. When we talk about things that cause the reaction we can mention washing powders, soap and detergents. Part of the body that is affected most often – hands. The symptoms of it are the painful and itchy rash.
Allergic contact dermatitis is a skin allergy condition that occurs when a certain external substance touches the skin. It is the most common skin condition in children younger than 11 years of age. Allergic symptoms usually occur within about 30 minutes after exposure. After contact with this substance that is normally quite harmless for most people, inflammation occurs. Redness, blisters, and scaling develop. The hands are involved in about 2/3 of contact dermatitis cases, since people come in contact with irritating substances at their jobs.
Other symptoms can include a rash, or swelling, itching, and cracking of the skin. Our hands, arms, neck, and face come in contact with so many substances every day that they are the most common sites for an allergic skin reaction, but no part of your anatomy is immune. A skin reaction that is the result of contact with an allergen is called allergic contact dermatitis. (Note. A skin reaction caused by contact with a substance that is harsh or caustic is called irritant contact dermatitis and does not involve allergies or the immune system.)
Things That Provoke Allergic Reaction
 Substances that can potentially cause allergy are found everywhere. Many can be rounded up in the bathroom cabinet: nickel/chrome in jewelry and snaps; latex found in condoms, rubber gloves, bandages, and rubber bands; chemicals in cosmetics, toiletries, and perfumes; after shave products and bath powders; hair products, including hair dye; and laundry detergent and fabric softeners. Outdoors lots of things such as poison oak, poison sumac, and poison ivy are ready to cause allergy too.
Very often it is difficult to identify what causes allergic reaction as your skin contacts with lots of substances a day. The delayed reaction when the reaction appears only after a few days after the contact also makes things more difficult. In some cases, a reaction doesn't occur until weeks or months of prolonged use. The solution to the problem lies in its title – contact dermatitis. The location of the rash, hives, or itch will help you to calculate the suspects. For example, let's say your ears itch. What comes in contact with them?Earplugs, headphones, earrings, perfumes, hair products, and lotions might be major suspects. How about a rash that develops under your arms? The possible causes: lotion, deodorant/antiperspirant, elastic straps in clothes, a bra's underwear, new fabrics, etc. here the skin allergy is similar to other allergies – your observations will always be of a great help to find what is irritating you.
Treatment
The first thing to help you is avoidance. If you know what exactly causes allergic contact dermatitis it is not too difficult to ignore it. However if the symptoms worsen : the rash spreads or if you develop hives or experience uncontrollable itching and the skin becomes red, tender, and damaged, you need to see your doctor as soon as possible.
Medications are also applied to treat this disease. But before taking a medication you must always consult a doctor as it is only your allergist who knows exactly what medication suits for the best. Among medications the following can mention:
Topical steroid cream or ointment - Hydrocortisone is a steroid medication available in topical and oral forms. The topical form helps to reduce the itching and swelling when skin allergy is limited to a small area.
Oral steroids or steroid injections - These drugs include prednisone, methylprednisolone, betamethasone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone and hydrocortisone.
Antihistamines - used to relieve the itching associated with contact dermatitis. Sedative antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and hydroxyzine can be taken at night to help patients sleep.
Oral antibiotics - For secondary infection.
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