Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) is a skin condition caused by an allergy to a material that causes a short-term immune response. It is a type of Contact Dermatitis (CD), which accounts for up to 15-20% of the population. ACD can cause an itchy rash, a symptom mainly caused by certain allergens, such as Nickel or plants.

Fortunately, treatment of ACD is possible with various medicines and preventive and self-care tips. This article will discuss the various symptoms, causes, and treatments of ACD to help an individual have a total shield against this skin condition. So, let’s explore the topic in detail.

What is Allergic Contact Dermatitis?

Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) is a type of Contact Dermatitis that occurs when the skin is exposed to a substance that activates a short-term autoimmune response. It is a delayed hypersensitive response to external irritants, typically two to three days after exposure to the allergens. 

It can appear in different locations of the body depending on which skin is exposed to the allergen and cause symptoms such as itching, rash, hives, and redness. Fortunately, as discussed in the later sections of this article, conventional and self-care strategies make treating ACD possible.

What does Allergic Contact Dermatitis look like?

Allergic Contact Dermatitis may have a rash-like appearance and can be present in different locations of the body, such as:

• Face
• Hands
• Eyelids
• Lips
• Scalp

Allergic Contact Dermatitis symptoms

The symptoms of ACD may vary from person to person depending on their condition and the severity of the condition. Some common symptoms that individuals have during ACD are as follows:

• Rashes
• Oozing fluid or pus
• Itching
• Hives
• Skin burn
• Sun sensitivity
• Redness
• Ulceration

Allergic Contact Dermatitis causes

The most common causes of ACD are as follows:

• Metals, such as Nickel

• Plants, such as Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Parthenium

• Some medications

• Skincare products, such as cosmetics, fragrance

• Chemical products

• Tattoo ink

• Thiomercel, Formaldehyde

• Balsam of Peru

• Rubber products, such as latex

Complications of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic CD can get complicated without early diagnosis and treatment. It is recommended to consult a healthcare practitioner and seek prompt medical treatment for ACD to prevent the risks of severe complications.

Allergic CD may cause the following complications:

• Infection: Allergic CD without treatment can lead to severe infection. It usually happens due to continuous scratching of that place, causing it to become wounded and oozing

• Hives: These are raised, discolored, and itchy skin. It can get painful for some people

• Anaphylaxis: It is a severe allergic reaction when exposed to allergens. Although uncommon, it can be life-threatening

• Angioedema: It is the swelling in the skin

• Cancer: Some evidence shows that severe and chronic ACD can increase the risks of developing Skin Cancer when exposed to carcinogens

• Photoallergy: This happens when the skin is exposed to UV radiation and is called Photocontact Dermatitis. In this case, the rash remains limited to the sun-exposed region

How to prevent Allergic Contact Dermatitis?

The prevention of allergic CD is crucial to reduce the risks of severe consequences. The following preventive strategies can help individuals avoid the complications:

• Try to identify and avoid irritants, such as Nickel
• Wash your hands regularly to remove the rash-causing substances, such as Poison Ivy or Poison Oak
• Regularly apply moisturizers or skin lotions to recover the outermost skin layer
• Always use a mild or fragrance-free and dye-free soap, moisturizers, and lotions. Do not use perfumes if you are allergic to them
• Always wear protective gloves, masks, and goggles to stay safe from irritant substances
• For body or ear piercings, use hypoallergenic materials (Gold)
• Apply a protective skin barrier cream or gel, such as a nonprescription ivy block (contains Bentoquatam)
• Apply covers over the metal fasteners in clothes

Allergic Contact Dermatitis treatment

Once a patch test diagnoses Allergic Contact Dermatitis, a healthcare practitioner can proceed with treatment procedures.

The main treatment for allergic CD involves avoiding contacting the allergen causing the allergy. Fortunately, some medications can also help manage the rash and keep the condition under control. It may take around ten days for the rash to get completely healed, depending on the severity

The medications to relieve ACD symptoms are as follows:

• Topical Steroids (if less than 20% of the body is involved)
• Oral or topical antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Topical Immunomodulators
• Emollient creams or moisturizers
• Oral Corticosteroids (if more than 20% of the body is involved)
• Oral Antihistamines
• Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors (for delicate skin areas, like eyelids)

Furthermore, some self-care tips are crucial to prevent the condition in the first place or reduce its severity. The best ACD self-care management tips are discussed as follows:

• Identify and avoid the allergen

• Do not scratch the rash

• Use a cool compress for 15-30 minutes to relieve itch

• Use anti-itch creams, lotions, or ointments. However, be cautious about medicine containing substances that can exacerbate the symptoms. It is recommended to read the ingredients of the medicine to avoid such allergens

• Use barrier socks for foot dermatitis

• For hand dermatitis, avoid washing hands excessively

• Protect your skin from sunburns. Use sunscreen for relief

• Wash new clothes before wearing them to remove the chemical dyes and residues that can trigger an allergic reaction

Individuals can also consult their doctor to identify their chemicals of interest or allergens to avoid them.

Conclusion

Allergic Contact Dermatitis is a common skin condition caused by allergic reactions when an individual comes in contact with an allergen. The condition can develop in the regions of the skin exposed to the allergen, causing a delayed hypersensitive reaction around 2-3 days after exposure to the allergen. It can show symptoms, such as itchy rash, hives, sun sensitivity, etc. 

The main causes of ACD include metals, such as Nickel, plants, skincare products, and chemical products. An individual can consult a healthcare practitioner and seek personalized medical treatment to prevent the severity of the skin condition and manage it promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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