- Contact dermatitis is a rash caused by a substance you’re exposed to that irritates your skin (irritant contact dermatitis) or causes an allergic reaction (allergic contact dermatitis)
- Irritant contact dermatitis is irritation of the skin that occurs soon after (usually within minutes or hours) contact with a substance such as harsh soaps, household cleaners, or skin care products.
- Typical symptoms include burning, stinging, or pain.
- Allergic contact dermatitis is a rash caused by an allergic reaction to a chemical that touches your skin
- This rash is typically delayed and develops days after contact with an allergen, often making it hard to trace the cause of the rash
- Common contact allergens include: rubber, metals (e.g. nickel), plants, dyes (e.g. PPD), and ingredients in cosmetic products (e.g. fragrances, preservatives)
- Treatment for contact dermatitis can include topical or oral medications in addition to avoiding the triggering allergens
- Patch testing is a type of allergy skin test used to assess your skin’s reaction to a variety of substances with which you come in contact with at home, work, or during other routine activities
How We Help:
- Perform detailed medical history and physical exam
- Review current skin care regimen and past exposures
- Perform patch testing if indicated
- We not only offer treatment of your contact dermatitis with topical medications but also work with you to identify your triggering allergens so that you can eliminate and avoid your allergens to prevent recurrence in the future
- Once patch testing is complete, we will provide you with the name of the ingredients you are allergic to as well as other names that may be used for these allergens by different manufacturers. This will allow you to effectively identify and avoid your known allergens when shopping for products in the future. Furthermore, we will provide a customized list of products that are safe to use.