Contact Dermatitis-Symptoms and cause of Contact Dermatitis!
Inflammation of skin is called dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is a form of dermatitis which is caused by contact with a foreign substance.
Contact dermatitis is divided in to two parts based on the symptoms.
1-Allergic Contact Dermatitis
In most of the other allergic reactions the trigger of allergy is internal where as in allergic contact dermatitis the trigger is external.
The initial exposure to a foreign substance usually doesn’t cause any rash, it just sensitizes the skin. When a subsequent contact occurs the rash appears.
The way it works is that the immune system overreacts to the foreign substance by producing antibodies to the allergens. This hyper reaction causes the rash.
Common plants that cause contact dermatitis are poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Peelings of citrus fruits are some of the other plant related allergens that cause allergic contact dermatitis.
Chemicals like hair dyes and metals like jewelry belts and buckles, tanning agents in leather, fragrances in soaps, shampoos and other skin care cosmetics and so many other medications applied to the skin can cause allergic contact dermatitis.
Many household cleaners and detergents and industrial cleaners and solvents can also cause allergic contact dermatitis.
2- Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common form of dermatitis. It represents more than 80% of contact dermatitis cases.
All the allergens that cause allergic contact dermatitis cause the irritant dermatitis. The difference is that the irritant contact dermatitis can occur at the first exposure unlike allergic contact dermatitis where the first exposure to an allergen doesn’t produce any symptom.
In Irritant contact dermatitis usually the red rashes immediately appears where as in allergic contact dermatitis it takes time for rashes to develop. Irritant contact dermatitis is also widely spread where as allergic is localized.
Blister can form, skin can burn and permanent damage to the skin can occur in irritant contact dermatitis. It is more painful than itchy allergic dermatitis.
Irritant contact dermatitis usually affects hands as most of the irritants are chemicals that come in contact with the hand due to occupational reasons.
Most allergic contact dermatitis goes away on its own. However, irritant contact dermatitis requires medical attention if it doesn’t go away on its own or with natural home remedies.
Learn more about causes, symptoms, prevention and natural remedies for dermatitis in the other relevant articles:
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Contact Dermatitis Symptoms