Contact dermatitis is an itchy rash caused by direct contact with something. Usually it is an allergic reaction to a certain substance.
Contact dermatitis is not contagious. Most cases are not severe, either; but they can be very uncomfortable. Sometimes itching from contact dermatitis is disruptive to a person’s daily activities.
Symptoms of contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis rashes don’t always develop in the same frame of time. Some take just a few minutes to appear after exposure. In other cases, the rash might not be visible or felt for hours.
The signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis vary– and some cases can last as long as four weeks.
Some symptoms of contact dermatitis include:
- Itchy rash
- Darker, more leathery patches of skin
- Cracked, dry, or scaly skin
- Blisters, bumps
- Tenderness
- Swelling or burning
The two kinds of contact dermatitis
There are actually two kinds of contact dermatitis. Each of them can cause slightly different symptoms.
For example:
- Allergic contact dermatitis may cause hives, skin redness, sun sensitivity, and swelling
- Irritant contact dermatitis can cause tight skin and ulcerations
Different people have different levels of sensitivity to certain substances. Someone’s reaction to a substance may be mild or severe. The exact symptoms someone has after getting contact dermatitis vary.
Getting diagnosed with contact dermatitis
Doctors diagnose patients with contact dermatitis by talking to them about their symptoms. Doctors also perform skin exams. During the exam, a dermatologist looks at the rash and asks questions about what happened before and during the reaction.
Sometimes doctors use patch tests when a patient has an itchy rash. These patch tests help identify the cause of contact dermatitis.
They work like this:
- A small amount of a potential allergen is placed on a sticky patch
- The sticky patch is placed on a patient’s skin
- The patch stays in place for two to three days
- After a few days, the doctor checks for skin reactions beneath the patch
Remember: patch tests aren’t a tool to diagnose contact dermatitis. They’re for helping discover potential causes of the rash.
Contact dermatitis management and treatment
Managing contact dermatitis is about staying away from irritants. If somebody doesn’t want to get contact dermatitis more than once, they need to avoid whatever caused it.
Once someone already has contact dermatitis, there are steps they can take to treat and manage it. Some steps can be easily taken at home, others involve a doctor.
People with contact dermatitis may try:
- Using wet, cool compresses to the affected area
- Protecting their skin by wearing long clothing, preventing scratching, etc.
- Soaking in a cool bath
Prescription steroids
Dermatologists often prescribe steroids to help treat contact dermatitis. Usually, the steroids are topical which means patients rub them onto their skin.
Sometimes, topical steroids don’t solve the problem. Many dermatologists may offer to prescribe oral or injectable steroids following the topical prescription.
Anti-itch creams and ointments
There are over-the-counter anti-itch creams and ointments that can be bought at drugstores. A 1% hydrocortisone cream (like Coritzone 10) may help with itchiness.
Anti-itch drugs
Oral antihistamines can also help relieve itching caused by contact dermatitis. Diphenhydramine, which is often sold as Advil PM and Benadryl, can also help with poor sleep due to itching.
Some people prefer to use drugs that don’t cause drowsiness. In this case, they may prefer loratadine (also called Alavert or Claritin).
The bottom line
Contact dermatitis occurs when someone’s skin becomes irritated or inflamed after they touch a substance. Anybody can get contact dermatitis — and the itchiness and rash that come with it can be disruptive to daily living.
If someone has contact dermatitis, there are ways to find relief. They can choose over-the-counter solutions or visit Accelerated Urgent Care to speak with a doctor about diagnosis and treatment using prescription steroids to help treat the rash.
