What are the Symptoms of Allergic Contact Dermatitis & Its Treatments

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

The allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed sensitive reaction which happens when a person comes in contact with a specific allergen to which a specific sensitivity has been developed. The allergic reaction may cause inflammation of the skin and is manifested by different degrees of edema, vesiculation, and erythema.

A person’s contact with an allergen may cause skin irritation, redness and excessive itchiness.

The allergens that cause allergic contact dermatitis may vary from time to time since a lot of chemicals are incorporated in the products that people use every day. The most recent allergens include nickel, rubber chemicals, chromates, and certain topical creams and ointment. Likewise, sensitizers may include formaldehyde, lanolin, and fragrance.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis Symptoms

Allergic contact dermatitis must be distinguished from contact urticaria. In urticaria, the rashes appear within minutes of exposure to allergens but fades away within minutes to an hour. The allergic contact dermatitis is confined to the area exposed to the allergen.

Sometimes, the allergies may extend outside the affected area. There are also circumstances in which the allergen slips from the fingers and may have contact with other areas of the body. Hence, the reaction may also occur on other parts of the body outside the affected areas.

Allergies from contact dermatitis include the following symptoms:

• Itchy red face due to Kaphone CG contact.

• Eczema in the wrist area where it contacts with the watch strap with a nickel allergen.

• Due to adhesive plaster, the allergen rosin causes eczema in the lower leg.

• Hand dermatitis is triggered by the anti-oxidant chemical thiuram.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis Treatment

It is important that individuals are able to determine which substance they may have allergic reactions to avoid getting in contact with these allergens as much as possible. In buying new products or trying out new brands, it is good to make use of the free comprehensive patch tests. For mild and severe allergies, dermatologists may prescribe the following treatments for allergic contact dermatitis:

• Photochemotheraphy

• Emollient creams

• Topical steroids

• Oral steroids for short courses and for severe cases

• Oral antibiotics for secondary infection

• Immunosuppressive agent like azathioprine and ciclosporin

• Immune-modulating drugs that inhibit calcineurin. They are found in tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream

• Natural remedies such as oil extract from borage, evening primrose, flax, and grape seed.

• Supplements such as Vitamin A, C, and E, and B complex

• Other remedies like licorice root and pregnenolone