Lifeboat Foundation News Blog: Author Genevieve Klien
The Signs And Symptoms Of Contact Dermatitis
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If you experience itchy, red skin after coming into contact with an irritating substance, chances are you have contact dermatitis. This can be caused by either sensitivity or allergy to various substances such as metal, rubber, or sunscreen.
The two most common types of contact dermatitis occur when your skin is exposed to something that you're especially sensitive to or that you're allergic to. This first type is known as irritant contact dermatitis. The second is known as allergic contact dermatitis.
If you have allergic contact dermatitis, then your body will trigger an immune system response that makes the skin itchy and irritated.
Examples of substances that cause allergic contact dermatitis include:
Irritant contact dermatitis is mostly caused by toxins, such as detergents and chemicals in cleaning products. It can also result from repeated exposure to nontoxic substances.
Soap is an example of a substance that can cause either allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis.
Allergic contact dermatitis doesn't always cause a skin reaction right away. Instead, you may notice symptoms that take place anywhere from 12 to 72 hours after exposure.
Symptoms associated with allergic contact dermatitis include:
These symptoms can last anywhere from two to four weeks after exposure.
There's a difference between an allergic reaction that could affect your breathing — known as an anaphylactic reaction — and an allergic contact dermatitis one.
Serious allergic reactions involve the body releasing an antibody known as IgE. This antibody isn't released in allergic contact dermatitis reactions.
If you have a skin rash that just won't go away or have skin that feels chronically irritated, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider.
If these other symptoms apply, you may also need to see your doctor:
If your doctor thinks allergic contact dermatitis may be to blame, they can refer you to an allergy specialist.
An allergy specialist can perform patch testing, which involves exposing your skin to small amounts of substances that commonly cause allergies.
You'll wear the skin patch for about 48 hours, keeping it as dry as possible. After a day, you'll return to your doctor's office so they can look at the skin exposed to the patch. You'll also come back about a week later to further inspect the skin.
If you experience a rash within a week of exposure, you likely have an allergy. Some people may experience an immediate skin reaction, however.
Even if your skin doesn't react to a substance, you can be on the lookout for substances that commonly cause your skin to be irritated. Some people keep a journal of their skin symptoms and determine what they were around when the reaction occurred.
Your doctor can recommend allergic contact dermatitis treatments based on what's causing your reaction and its severity. The following are some examples of common treatments.
For mild reactions:
For severe reactions causing facial swelling, or if the rash covers your mouth:
For an infection, antibiotics are recommended.
Avoid scratching your rash because scratching can cause infection.
Once you determine what's causing your allergic contact dermatitis, you should avoid that substance. This will often mean you must take care when reading labels for skin care products, household cleaners, jewelry, and more.
If you suspect that you've come into contact with any substances you may be allergic to, wash the area with soap and lukewarm water as quickly as possible. Applying cool, wet compresses may also help soothe itching and irritation.
Avoiding the allergen as much as possible is the only way to keep your skin from becoming itchy and irritated. If you experience severe symptoms, see your doctor.
Symptoms & Types
Something touches your skin, and your immune system thinks it's under attack. It overreacts and sends antibodies to help fight the invader, called an allergen. The result is a red, itchy rash where the substance landed.
Hives, also known as urticaria, are an outbreak of swollen, pale red bumps, patches, or welts on the skin that appear suddenly -- as a result of allergies, or for other reasons. In angioedema, the swelling happens under the skin, not on the surface.
Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that contain an irritating, oily sap called urushiol. Urushiol triggers an allergic reaction when it comes into contact with skin, resulting in an itchy rash, which can appear within hours of exposure or up to several days later.
Bee, wasp, yellow jacket, hornet, or fire ant stings are the insect stings that most often trigger allergies. Most people are not allergic to insect stings and may mistake a normal sting reaction for an allergic reaction.
Most people's skin will burn if there is enough exposure to ultraviolet radiation. However, some people burn particularly easily or develop exaggerated skin reactions to sunlight.
Some beauty products can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Certain ingredients used in cosmetics, such as fragrances and preservatives, can act as allergens, substances that trigger an allergic reaction.
A nickel allergy is a skin reaction that develops after exposure to nickel or items containing the metal.
What Is Ragweed Allergy? Symptoms, Causes And Treatments
There is no cure for ragweed allergies, but there are treatments available to help alleviate your symptoms.
If you have allergic asthma, your doctor may prescribe medications such as inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators to help control your symptoms.
Avoiding Exposure to Ragweed PollenFor some people, avoiding exposure is the best way to manage ragweed allergy symptoms. This can be difficult, especially when pollen counts are high.
Dr. Wright provides the following tips to help reduce ragweed exposure:
There are several OTC allergy medicines available to help relieve ragweed allergy symptoms. "Over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal steroids and eye drops, as needed, are treatments for common environmental allergens," says Dr. Wright.
Talk to your doctor if you're considering taking any of these medications, as they may not be appropriate for everyone.
Allergy ShotsAllergy shots are a form of immunotherapy that helps your body become less sensitive to allergens. Your allergist will inject a small amount of the allergen into your skin. This will be repeated once or twice a week for the first seven months. After that, you'll need to get the shots every two to four weeks for three to five years.
"When over-the-counter medications don't work, see an allergist," says Dr. Wright. "Your allergist may prescribe allergy shots, which makes your immune system less reactive to common environmental allergens."
Oral Immunotherapy MedicationsAlso called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), oral immunotherapy medications are tablets that work by slowly desensitizing your body to allergens. The tablets are placed under your tongue, where they dissolve and absorb into your bloodstream through the oral mucosa. According to Dr. Wright, "Oral immunotherapy medications (sublingual tablets for ragweed, grass and dust mite allergies) are available by prescription only."
SLIT is currently only available for a few allergens, including ragweed. Similar to immunotherapy allergy shots, the treatment course lasts for three to five years, with doses given multiple times each week.
There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to managing ragweed allergies, so it's important to work with your care team to find the treatment that works best for you. "If your allergy symptoms don't improve with over-the-counter medications, then it's important to see your doctor," concludes Dr. Wright. "In some cases, it may be appropriate to see an allergist and get allergy testing. Patients are often allergic to more than one allergen and it's important to minimize exposures."
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