Contact dermatitis is a form of skin inflammation that can arise from an allergic reaction. Although it's not necessarily a medically serious condition, this condition is responsible for causing significant discomfort in some people. Though most contact dermatitis issues will disappear on their own once the product or chemical is no longer touching the skin, it's best to be prepared if you struggle with dermatitis problems.

Here, we'll look at everything you need to know about contact dermatitis.

Types of Contact Dermatitis:

There are different types of contact dermatitis that you might suffer from depending on why your skin responds negatively to a certain substance. Understanding everything you need to know about contact dermatitis will often include outlining the various aspects of this particular condition.

The first type of contact dermatitis that you might suffer from is allergic contact dermatitis. This happens when your skin is exposed to an allergen that causes your immune system to react abnormally, leading to a rash or swelling. On the other hand, irritant contact dermatitis occurs when your skin is exposed to an irritating substance. Although you have had a negative reaction to an irritant, this doesn't mean that you're allergic to it. The final type of contact dermatitis is known as "photocontact dermatitis", which is less common than the other two types. Photocontact dermatitis is a reaction that occurs when the active ingredients that are used in a product placed on the skin are exposed to the sun.

The Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis:

The symptoms of all types of contact dermatitis are something that you should be aware of when learning everything you need to know about contact dermatitis. You might notice severe swelling and redness, peeling skin, or itching. Additionally, you may find that the affected area feels warm and is covered in a rash, or blisters.

Remember that there are a range of irritants that can trigger the symptoms of contact dermatitis, and your doctor should be able to help you pinpoint what your specific triggers are. They may include deodorants, perfumes, fragrances, soaps, dyes, and certain cosmetics.

Treatment for Contact Dermatitis:

Learning everything you need to know about contact dermatitis means identifying key treatment options. When treating contact dermatitis, the first step is generally to reduce the irritation, while the second step is to find out what caused the reaction so it can be avoided in the future. Allergists can prescribe oral medications and prescription creams that relieve itching and permit healing within the damaged skin.

To prevent contact dermatitis in the future, you'll need to figure out what causes your condition. When identifying potential causes of contact dermatitis, you should try to record your daily activities and any actions that you think might have prompted an allergic reaction. You could also request a spot or patch test from a doctor to determine potential allergies. Doctors have a range of equipment that can help them to find out whether you could be suffering from some of the most common allergies that generally lead to issues of contact dermatitis and other similar conditions.