Contact Dermatitis

An itchy, swollen rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to the substance.

What is it?

Two distinct types of contact dermatitis exist. Irritant dermatitis, the more prevalent type, results from skin reactions to aggravating substances. Usual irritants that can trigger contact dermatitis encompass soaps, detergents, fabric conditioners, hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and cleaning chemicals. To prevent irritant dermatitis, it's recommended to utilize gentle soaps and cleaning agents.

The other type is allergic contact dermatitis, which ensues when the skin encounters a substance that provokes an allergic response. Substances like adhesives, topical antibiotics, dyes present in clothing, towels, washcloths, or hair dyes, nail polish, plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac, and rubber or latex gloves can generate allergic contact dermatitis. It's crucial to understand that determining the exact cause of allergic contact dermatitis can be challenging due to the delay between exposure to the allergen and the rash's appearance.

Contact dermatitis can affect anyone, but certain individuals are at an elevated risk. These include those with a pre-existing skin condition, like eczema, which impedes your skin's protective function. Symptoms vary based on the cause or type of dermatitis and usually subside once the allergen or irritant is eliminated. However, identifying the cause isn't always straightforward, so if your rash persists and doesn't fade, our team of board-certified dermatologists across Dublin, Columbus, Canal Winchester, Urbana, Circleville, Washington Courthouse, Grove City and Marysville, Ohio, can assist in pinpointing the cause and formulating a treatment plan.

How is it treated?

Recognizing the source of your skin irritation or inflammation and steering clear of it is crucial. To alleviate swelling and discomfort, initiate with a cool, moist cloth applied to the rash and inflamed region. If the rash persists don't hesitate to contact us and schedule an appointment at one of our dermatology offices throughout the Greater Columbus area. We provide in-office treatment alternatives such as topical corticosteroid cream, or in more serious scenarios, corticosteroid oral medication.

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