Contents
What is contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is one of the most common skin diseases that occurs due to skin contact with external irritants.
Allergic contact dermatitis is inflammation of the skin in response to exposure to substances that can cause an allergic reaction.
If simple contact dermatitis develops, as a rule, immediately or after a short period of time after contact with an irritant, then allergic contact dermatitis appears only 10-14 days after the initial interaction with the allergen and 12-48 hours after the secondary contact with it.
According to various studies, contact dermatitis affects 5 to 10 percent of the population.
Causes of contact dermatitis in adults
Contact dermatitis in adults always provokes some external irritant.
– It can occur in each person with some kind of aggressive effect on the skin, for example, a burn with boiling water or concentrated acid, and also be an individual feature of a person – in fact, an allergic reaction to any agent or material, – explains dermatovenereologist Yuri Sergeev.
Accordingly, dermatitis of this kind is most often provoked by contacts with irritants such as:
- metals;
- food products;
- household chemicals;
- medicines;
- cosmetics;
- dust;
- hair and skin cells of domestic animals.
Symptoms of contact dermatitis in adults
– External manifestations of contact dermatitis in adults primarily include redness of the skin at the site of contact with the irritant, blistering and weeping may occur. With a long course of allergic contact dermatitis, rashes can spread to other areas of the skin, peeling and cracks form within the rashes. With any kind of contact dermatitis, unpleasant subjective sensations are often encountered: the rash is very itchy, can be painful, – explains Yuri Sergeev, a dermatovenereologist.
In summary, there are several main symptoms of contact dermatitis in adults:
- redness;
- itching;
- edema;
- the appearance of bubbles filled with liquid, which can merge into a vast weeping zone.
Treatment of contact dermatitis in adults
– Treatment of contact dermatitis should be aimed not only at combating the symptoms of the disease, but also at preventing subsequent exacerbations.
With a mild course (slight reddening of the skin at the point of contact, no discomfort), the disease can go away on its own, the main thing is not to re-expose the skin to the irritant, the specialist explains.
Another thing is if the symptoms of contact dermatitis prevent a person from living a normal life. With significant redness, itching, swelling, if the rash spreads to other areas of the skin, it is necessary to visit a dermatologist.
– Further treatment will largely depend on the ability to determine and / or eliminate the causative factor of the disease – in this case, you can forever forget about the manifestations of the disease, – explains Yuri Sergeev, a dermatovenereologist.
Diagnostics
Contact dermatitis is diagnosed by a dermatovenereologist. Most often, to make a diagnosis, it is enough to listen to the patient’s complaints, examine the skin where the rash appeared, and also learn about his lifestyle (bad habits, working conditions, allergies).
– In case of allergic contact dermatitis, special skin tests with various allergens may be required by an allergist to determine the exact cause of the disease, adds Yuri Sergeev.
Modern treatments
Drug treatment of simple and allergic contact dermatitis is similar and depends on the clinical picture of inflammation. In the acute stage of dermatitis, external glucocorticosteroids are used, which help to stop inflammation, the doctor may also recommend topical agents.
When a secondary infection is attached, combined topical agents are used, which also include antibacterial and antifungal components.
In treatment, it is also important to minimize the risk of re-exacerbation. This is where good skin care can help.
– Great importance in the treatment of contact dermatitis is currently given to skin care and maintaining the integrity of the so-called. epidermal barrier – in fact, the upper layer of the skin, which prevents the penetration of irritating substances and the development of inflammation. In addition to medications, the dermatologist will recommend the use of special moisturizers marked “for dry and very dry” or “prone to irritation” skin, explains the dermatovenereologist.
Prevention of contact dermatitis in adults at home conditions
To minimize the risk of developing contact dermatitis, it is enough to follow basic safety rules.
– Try to avoid contact of unprotected skin with objects with extremely low / high temperatures, work with chemicals in closed clothing, gloves and other protective equipment, etc. People with chronic skin diseases, accompanied by dry skin, should be more careful about the use of care products, emphasizes Yuri Sergeev, dermatovenereologist.
Prevention of contact dermatitis caused by an allergen is similar. If you know what substance is causing your skin reaction, the best thing you can do is avoid contact with that substance. If it does get on the skin, try to quickly and thoroughly wash it off with water. The same should be done in cases where you have been in contact with some unknown substance.
If you experience symptoms of contact dermatitis, you should consult a dermatologist or allergist.