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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
CLICK TO ENLARGE
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Contact dermatitis on the wrist |
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Contact dermatitis on the face |
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Poison ivy rash (allergic contact dermatitis) |
Signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis include:
- Red rash or bumps
- Itching, which may be severe
- Dry, red patches, which may resemble a burn
- Blisters and draining fluid from the involved skin in severe cases
- Skin rash limited to the exposed area
- Pain or tenderness
In contact dermatitis, only the areas of skin exposed to the offending substances react. The area with the greatest exposure reacts most severely.
Based on the cause, contact dermatitis falls into two categories.
- Irritant contact dermatitis. This type of dermatitis is more common and results from repeated contact with a substance, such as soap, cosmetics or skin products, including deodorant, that irritates the skin. The exposure produces red, dry itchy patches usually on the hands, fingers and face. Some substances, such as bleach or strong acids, can cause irritant contact dermatitis after just one exposure. These substances typically remove oil and the protective barriers from the skin.
- Allergic contact dermatitis. This type of dermatitis is caused by a reaction to substances called allergens. The resulting reaction is your body's response to the sensitive agent. Allergic contact dermatitis produces a red rash, bumps and sometimes blisters when severe. Common allergens include rubber, metals such as nickel, costume jewelry, perfume, cosmetics, hair dyes and weeds, including poison ivy. It may take several years for an allergy to develop. Once an allergy has developed to a specific substance, however, it remains for life. Exposure to even a small amount of the allergen will reliably result in skin eruption.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if:
- You're so uncomfortable that you're losing sleep or are distracted from your daily routines
- Your skin is painful
- You suspect your skin is infected
- You've tried self-care steps without success
- You suspect the dermatitis is job-related
References
- Weston WL, et al. Overview of dermatitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2009.
- Cohen DE, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2966976. Accessed April 6, 2009.
- Habif TP. Contact dermatitis and patch testing. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130085313-3/0/1195/18.html?tocnode=51440089&fromURL=18.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50006-6_242. Accessed April 6, 2009.
- Wetter DA, et al. Patch test results from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, 1998-2000. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2005;53:416.
- Kaplan LA. Exposure to radiation from the sun. In: Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130085313-5/0/1483/133.html?tocnode=54234968&fromURL=133.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-03228-5..50019-7_767. Accessed April 6, 2009.
