Contact Dermatitis
This condition affects mainly adults. It occurs on skin contact with a chemical substance and takes 24 hours to develop.
There are two types of contact dermatitis:
* Allergic contact dermatitis – the skin becomes sensitised to something over a period of time and an allergic reaction occurs on re-exposure
* Irritant contact dermatitis – occurs when the skin comes in contact with something that strips away its natural oils and makes the skin red, dry, cracked and itchy
Irritant contact dermatitis is not an allergy.
The most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis are:
* Nickel in jewellery and on clothing fasteners and studs
* Rubber and building materials such as cement, solvents and glues
* Ingredients found in cosmetics, hair dyes and perfumes
The most common causes of irritant contact dermatitis include:
* Soaps, detergents and fabric conditioners
* Shampoos
* Disinfectants and bleaches
If you have contact dermatitis, you must try to identify the cause so you can avoid it. Patch testing with various chemicals can help in this.
Read more about Contact Dermatitis in:
The Symptoms of Eczema and Dermatitis.
Eczema and Dermatitis Preventions
Treatments for Eczema and Dermatitis
Causes of Eczema and Dermatitis
