Allergic Contact Dermatitis - Symptoms and Treatment of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic Contact dermatitis is skin inflammation that occurs because the skin has been exposed to a substance that irritates it or causes an allergic reaction. Allergic contact dermatitis is an immune reaction that occurs only in people who are naturally oversensitive to certain chemicals. Symptoms usually occur anywhere from one to two days after the first exposure to the allergen. This skin disease occurs less frequently than irritant contact dermatitis, but it is often difficult to tell the difference between the two as a similar rash appears in both. 

Allergic contact dermatitis associated with the workplace develops in stages. Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction that involves interaction of allergens and antibodies. A very common source of allergic contact dermatitis is contact with poison ivy, sumac, or oak, as well as with certain metals such as nickel. The causes for allergic contact dermatitis are very similar to the causes of irritant contact dermatitis. However, fragrances and sunscreen can also cause symptoms. In the case of the later, it isn't that they rob the skin of necessities but rather they chemically react to the body chemistry of the patient.

Symptoms of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Keep in mind that it might take a while for symptoms to show up if the patient is developing allergic contact dermatitis.  When symptoms do begin to become evident there will be redness and itchiness, but there is also swelling and blistering.  It is common for this to spread to the areas surrounding the affected area.

• skin redness,
• blistering
• pain
• swelling
• severe itching

Treatment for Allergic Contact Dermatitis

For the treatment of allergic contact dermatitis oral antihistamines such as Benadryl or Atarax, colloidal oatmeal suspensions such as Aveeno baths, and the use of oral or topical corticosteroids is advisable on doctor's prescription. In addition to these specific types of skin diseases that are caused in reaction to cosmetics, hair dye and sunscreen offer other irritant chemicals that my cause skin problems in patients.