What To Do When Infected With Contact Dermatitis
Charlene J. Nuble
Contact dermatitis is a physical reaction of the skin to
certain allergens or substances that potently cause allergies
or reactions.
The skin infection is brought about by the effects on the skin
of certain irritants.
There are basically four kinds or classifications of contact
dermatitis that are usually diagnosed by doctors and
dermatologists. These are irritant contact dermatitis (ICD),
allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), photocontact dermatitis
(PCD) and contact urticaria.
Those types or classification of contact dermatitis can be
hardly identified and distinguished by ordinary people, but the
nature and cause of the skin infection can be determined through
them.
A trivial fact about contact dermatitis is that in the United
States, most recorded and diagnosed cases occur more in adults
than children and the elderly.
Causes of contact dermatitis
Various allergens or allergy-causing substances can be cited
for the onset of contact dermatitis. But reported cases of such
skin infection points out to several factors or things that
trigger the reaction.
The most common sources of contact dermatitis allergens are
soaps and perfumes. It is because the use of such substances is
somehow inevitable that make the problem hard to contain.
Contact dermatitis can also be caused by your skin’s reaction
to drool, to detergents, to several allergy-causing foods and
to lotions especially those with harsh ingredients.
Some plants are also identified to produce enzymes that may
lead to the onset of contact dermatitis. Among these plants are
poison ivy.
There are also about 3,000 chemicals that are identified to
cause contact dermatitis. Among them are those that are based
on common metals like mercury, chrome and nickel.
Some cosmetics can also irritate the skin and trigger the
appearance of contact dermatitis manifestation in the skin.
Permanent hair dyes, eye shadows, lipstick, clothing dyes,
sunscreens and nail polishes are the identified cosmetic lines
that cause such skin infection.
Manifestations of contact dermatitis
Several symptoms are pointed to the onset of contact
dermatitis. However, it should be noted that for different
individuals, the symptoms may vary. To be sure, further advice
and check up from a dermatologist should be obtained.
Contact dermatitis occurs when there is swelling or mild
redness in the skin. The appearance of the infected spot could
clearly not be mistaken for common insect bites.
There is also blistering in the affected skin area, as well as
itching. It is surely contact dermatitis when there is a
temporary thickening or scaling in the infected skin portion.
Treatment and prevention
To treat contact dermatitis, the American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology advises people diagnosed that have the
skin infection to do the following simple, yet effective
remedies.
- Wash thoroughly the infected skin part with soap and ample
water. Immediately do this at the initial appearance of
symptoms.
- Throw away or carefully wash all clothing and objects that
have come into contact or touched plants or chemicals that
contain contact dermatitis allergens.
- Relieve and soothe skin inflammation or the infected part
with a cold compress especially if the blisters break or crack.
- If the symptoms show severity, do not hesitate to consult a
physician or dermatologist.
Baths using lukewarm water are also known to help soothe and
rapidly control the skin infection.
As for the prevention, the best way is to avoid all identified
allergens.
About The Author: Charlene J. Nuble 2006. For answers to All
your frequently asked questions about contact dermatitis,
please go to: http://contact-dermatitis.allergyanswers.net/ or
go to: http://allergyanswers.net/
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