CONTACT DERMITITIS. CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND MANAGEMENT`

WHAT IS CONTACT DERMATITIS?

Contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it. The rash isn’t contagious or life-threatening, but it can be very uncomfortable.
Many substances can cause such reactions, including soaps, cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry and plants.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CONTACT DERMATITIS?
Contact dermatitis usually occurs on areas of your body that have been directly exposed to the reaction-causing substance — for example, along a calf that brushed against poison ivy or under a watchband. The rash usually develops within minutes to hours of exposure and can last two to four weeks.

Signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis include:
• A red rash
Itching, which may be severe
• Dry, cracked, scaly skin
• Bumps and blisters, sometimes with oozing and crusting
• Swelling, burning or tenderness.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CONTACT DERMATITIS?
Contact dermatitis is caused by a substance you’re exposed to that irritates your skin or triggers an allergic reaction. The substance could be one of thousands of known allergens and irritants. Some of these substances may cause both irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.

• *Irritant contact dermatitis* is the most common type. This nonallergic skin reaction occurs when a substance damages your skin’s outer protective layer.

Common irritants include:
• Solvents
• Rubbing alcohol
• Bleach and detergents
• Shampoos, permanent wave solutions
• Airborne substances, such as sawdust or wool dust
• Plants
• Fertilizers and pesticides.
*Allergic contact dermatitis* this occurs when a substance to which you’re sensitive (allergen) triggers an immune reaction in your skin. It usually affects only the area that came into contact with the allergen. But it may be triggered by something that enters your body through foods, flavorings, medicine, or medical or dental procedures (systemic contact dermatitis).

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTOR OF CONTACT DERMATITIS?

Risk factors
Some jobs and hobbies put you at higher risk of contact dermatitis. Examples include:

• Hairdressers and cosmetologists
• Auto mechanics
• Scuba divers or swimmers, due to the rubber in face masks or goggles
Cleaners
• Gardeners and agricultural workers
• Cooks and others who work with food

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATION OF CONTACT DERMATITIS?
Contact dermatitis can lead to an infection if you repeatedly scratch the affected area, causing it to become wet and oozing. This creates a good place for bacteria or fungi to grow and may cause an infection.

WHEN TO SEE DOCTOR ABOUT CONTACT DERMATITIS?
Seek immediate our medical professional at Adebayo living tower hospital in the following situations:
√ You think your skin is infected.
√ Clues include fever and pus oozing from blisters.
√ Your lungs, eyes or nasal passages are painful and inflamed, perhaps from inhaling an allergen.
√ You think the rash has damaged the mucous lining of your mouth and digestive tract.

HOW DO I GET RIDE OF CONTACT DERMITITIS?
Clean your skin with mild soap and lukewarm water to remove any irritants. Stop using any products you think might be causing the problem.

WHY DO I SUDDENLY HAVE CONTACT DERMITITIS?

Allergic reactions may occur suddenly, or develop after months or years of exposure.

OUR MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS ON CONTACT DERMATITIS

Patch testing
our medical professional at Adebayo living tower hospital may be able to diagnose contact dermatitis and identify its cause by talking to you about your signs and symptoms, questioning you to uncover clues about the trigger substance, and examining your skin to note the pattern and intensity of your rash.
Our medical professional may recommend a patch test to see if you’re allergic to something. This test can be useful if the cause of your rash isn’t apparent or if your rash recurs often.

OUR TREATMENT ON CONTACT DERMITITIS AT ADEBAYO LIVING TOWER HOSPITAL
Contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it.

If home care steps don’t ease your signs and symptoms visit our medical professional at Adebayo living tower hospital for proper care and medical services.

“`I.C.T Department“`
ADEBAYO LIVING TOWER HOSPITAL ALTH