Contact Dermatitis: Brief Version

What is contact dermatitis?

You have contact dermatitis when your skin gets a rash after something irritating touches it.

What is the cause?

The skin may touch something that irritates it, like:

• soaps or detergents
• cleaning products
• waxes or polishes.

You may be allergic to something that touches your skin, like:

• hair dyes
• jewelry
• fingernail polish
• deodorants.

Examples of other things that may cause a rash are:

• rubber
• nickel (a metal often present in inexpensive jewelry, belt buckles, and the backs of watches)
• poison ivy.

What are the symptoms?

Your skin may:

• itch
• swell
• look red
• have blisters that may break open and ooze, crust, or scale.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will look at the rash. He or she will ask you:

• When and where did the rash start?
• What did it look like at first?
• What might have touched your skin lately?

How is it treated?

Your healthcare provider may give you:

• a cream to stop the itching
• medicine to take by mouth for itching
• antibiotic medicine if the rash got infected.

How long will it take to get better?

Treatment should help your rash get better in a few days.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow your healthcare provider's advice. It can help if you:

• Do not irritate the rash.
• Stay away from what caused the rash.
• Put cool, moist cloths on the rash.

How can I help prevent it?

If you know what caused the rash:

• Make sure the irritant is not in the makeup, soap, or other products that you use. You may need to stop using makeup one product at a time to see if any one product seems to make your rash worse.
• Gently wash your skin right away if you do touch something that irritates it.

Even if you don't know what caused your rash, it can help to follow these suggestions:

• Learn what poison oak, poison ivy, and ragweed look like. Stay away from these plants.
• Use makeup that does not cause allergies. Buy makeup with the word "hypoallergenic" on the label.
• When you skin gets wet, pat it dry. Don't rub it.
• Try not to use chemicals. Wear safe gloves when you have to use chemicals.
• Use a dishwasher or wear gloves when you wash dishes.