Allergic Contact Dermatitis - Information on Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic Contact Dermatitis Information

Allergic Contact Dermatitis is basically a skin disease typical to youth, but Allergic Contact Dermatitis may occur to the people at any age. Allergic contact dermatitis is not usually caused by things like acid, alkali, solvent, strong soap or detergent. These harsh compounds, which can produce a reaction on anyone's skin, are known as 'irritants'. Although some chemicals are both irritants and allergens, allergic contact dermatitis results from brief contact with substances that don't usually provoke a reaction in most people.

We have provided you here all symptoms, causes and treatment methods of Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis is also distinct from irritant contact dermatitis, in which a similar skin condition is caused by excessive contact with irritants. Irritants include water, soaps, detergents, solvents, acids, alkalis, and friction. Irritant contact dermatitis may affect anyone, providing they have had enough exposure to the irritant, but those with atopic dermatitis are particularly sensitive. Most cases of hand dermatitis are due to contact with irritants.

Some typical examples of allergic contact dermatitis include:

• An eczema of the wrist underlying a watch strap due to contact allergy to nickel
• An eczema of the lower leg when ankle strapping has been removed due to contact allergy to rosin in the adhesive plaster
• Hand dermatitis caused by thiuram, an anti-oxidant chemical used in the manufacture of rubber gloves
• Itchy red face due to contact allergy with Kaphon CG, a preservative in a moisturiser.

Causes of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

The cause of the Allergic Contact Dermatitis is unknown. Common causes for allergic contact dermatitis of the foot and ankle are exposure to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac, and exposure to dyes used in shoes and sneakers. Even all-white sneakers are made with dye and rubber, both of which are common allergens that can cause rashes and dry scaly skin in people who are hypersensitive to them.

Treatment of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

It is important to recognise how you are in contact with the responsible substance so that, where possible, you can avoid it.

• Find out precisely what you are allergic to by having comprehensive patch tests
• Identify where the allergen is found.
• Carefully study your environment to locate the allergen. Note: many chemicals have several names, and cross-reactions to similar chemicals with different names are common.
• Ask your dermatologist to help.

Active dermatitis is usually treated with the following:

• Emollient creams
• Topical steroids
• Topical or oral antibiotics for secondary infection
• Oral steroids, usually short courses, for severe cases
• Photochemotherapy.
• Azathioprine, ciclosporin or other immunosuppressive agent.
• Tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream are immune modulating drugs that inhibit calcineurin and may prove helpful for allergic contact dermatitis. Pimecromolimus has recently become available in New Zealand.

People with allergic contact dermatitis should:

1. Avoid the allergen that causes the reaction, and materials that cross-react with it. Your dermatologist can help you identify items to avoid.
2. Substitute products made of materials that do not cause reactions.