Contact dermatitis is a form of eczema that comes from touching a specific substance. To narrow this definition down a little further, eczema is a name given to a collection of issues that prompt skin to become dry or irritated, and may also cause a rash to appear. Usually, with treatment, many people who experience contact dermatitis will see that their symptoms will improve. In specific cases, the problem will clear up completely.
Contact dermatitis can cause the skin to become cracked, dry, blistered, and red. Usually, the reaction occurs within a matter of days or hours after exposure to an irritant or an allergen. The best way to deal with contact dermatitis is to avoid whatever causes the problem. Here, we will attempt to answer, "what causes contact dermatitis and how is it treated"
Causes of Contact Dermatitis:
When answering the questions "what causes contact dermatitis and how is it treated?", it's important to remember that this condition can be caused by two distinct factors. For instance, the rash may be caused by an irritant, a type of substance that has a direct impact on the outer layer of skin, or damages that skin in some way. On the other hand, you might experience contact dermatitis as a result of an allergen. An allergen is a substance that forces the immune system to respond abnormally.
If your contact dermatitis is linked to an allergy, your immune system will simply be acting abnormally to exposure to something like a particular food or substance. After you touch something, your body believes that it is under attack, and your system moves to action, creating antibodies that fight back against the invader. The result is that a chain of events will lead to the release of a substance known as histamine, which is what ends up causing the itchy rash that's often associated with allergic reactions.
Treating Contact Dermatitis:
As we mentioned above, when it comes to understanding what causes contact dermatitis and how is it treated, the best thing you can do is figure out what is prompting your reaction, and learn how to avoid it. If you can take steps to avoid the allergens and irritants that are responsible for triggering your symptoms, then you should find that your skin naturally begins to clear up. Of course, this isn't always as easy as it seems. You may find that you are advised to use certain substances by a doctor or dermatology expert to help you overcome your experiences of discomfort in regards to dry, itchy, or rash-covered skin.
For instance, you might be able to use:
– Emollients
These are special types of moisturizers that are very thick and soak into the skin, stopping it from becoming too dry, and limiting the feeling of itching and discomfort caused by contact dermatitis.
– Topical corticosteroids
These are a form of steroid-based ointment or cream that can be applied directly to the affected skin to get rid of some of the more severe symptoms of pain, discomfort and itching.
– Oral corticosteroids
These are steroidal tablets that can be used to relieve a host of different symptoms.