Contact Dermatitis

Symptoms:

• Redness, swelling;
• Itching
• Dandruff

A more difficult course:

• Blisters, vesicles, nodules
• Pain
• Cracks
• Urination
• Scabies
• Skin thickening

Common allergens: metals (nickel, chromium, cobalt), fragrances, preservatives (formaldehyde, parabens, methylchloroisothiazolines), Peruvian balsam, latex, etc.

2.
Irritant contact dermatitis
– A physical, mechanical or chemical breach of the skin barrier caused by direct contact of the skin with an irritant (irritant).

Common irritants: products used every day (detergents, softeners, laundry detergents, cleaning products).

Diagnostics
The diagnosis of contact dermatitis is based on your medical history (questionnaire) and physical examination (examination, palpation). Specialised tests – the allergen patch test – are only performed when the diagnosis is unclear or the treatment is ineffective, and are prescribed by a dermatovenerologist or allergist.

How can you prevent contact dermatitis?Preventive measures

• Avoid contact with substances that cause dermatitis;
• Wear rubber gloves when doing household chores and cotton gloves underneath;
• Apply nourishing and barrier (oily) skin emollients (creams, ointments) 2-3 times a day and after each hand wash.

First aid for dermatitis:

• Do not touch substances that may have caused dermatitis;
• Wash surfaces and areas of the body touched by the allergen or irritant with water;
• Apply nourishing and top barrier emollients (creams, ointments) 2-3 times a day and after each hand wash;

Interesting and important to know:

• Contact dermatitis is not hereditary and not contagious;
• 20% people in the world have been diagnosed with contact dermatitis at least once;
• Irritant dermatitis accounts for ~80% of all dermatitis cases of contact dermatitis;
• The disease is more common in women than in men, due to their more frequent household chores and occupation;
• See your doctor if the rash does not go away within 2 weeks or gets worse;

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