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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffPreventing contact dermatitis means avoiding contact with substances that trigger a reaction. Because everyone is different, you may react to substances that don't affect others. General prevention strategies include:
- Try to identify and avoid substances that irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. These can include nickel, jewelry, perfume, cleaning products and cosmetics.
- Wash and rinse your skin as soon as possible if you come in contact with an irritating substance. Prompt washing can remove many irritants or allergens from your skin. Use a mild, fragrance-free soap and rinse it completely off your body.
- Wear protective gloves during household tasks. Gloves can help you avoid contact with cleaners and other household products.
- Choose mild, unscented detergents to wash clothing, towels and bedding. Also try using the extra rinse cycle on your washing machine.
- Wear protective clothing or gloves on the job. If your work exposes you to potentially irritating agents, it's important to shield your skin.
- Apply a barrier cream or gel. These products can provide a protective layer for your skin.
- Use moisturizer. This can help restore your skin's outermost layer and keep your skin supple.
- Apply an iron-on patch to cover metal fasteners next to your skin. Covering clothing fasteners — such as metal fasteners on jeans — that come in contact with your skin can help you avoid allergies and irritation from metals.
References
- Weston WL, et al. Overview of dermatitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 26, 2011.
- Seyfarth F, et al. Teaching interventions in contact dermatitis. Dermatitis. 2011;22:8.
- Habif TP. Contact dermatitis and patch testing. In: Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Edinburgh, U.K.; New York, N.Y.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..X0001-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed April 6, 2011.
- Zug KA, et al. Patch-test results of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group 2005-2006. Dermatitis. 2009;20:149.
- Usatine RP, et al. Diagnosis and management of contact dermatitis. American Family Physician. 2010;82:249.
- McCoy K. Lichen simplex chronicus. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec10/ch114/ch114f.html. Accessed April 29, 2011.
- Kerr A, et al. Photoallergic contact dermatitis. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine. 2010;26:56.
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