What is allergic contact dermatitis: causes and symptoms.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by an itchy rash, redness, blistering, and sometimes cracked and weeping areas. This dermatitis can be simple irritant or allergic. Each of them has its own characteristics.
Simple (irritant) contact dermatitis is a non-allergic reaction to direct contact with a chemical or metal ions that have a toxic effect, leading to the release of inflammatory substances in the skin.

Simple contact dermatitis can also be caused by irritating physical factors (chafing, abrasions, excessive dry skin), which, together with chemical factors, increase the likelihood of severe contact dermatitis.

Causes

Factors that determine the likelihood and severity of simple contact dermatitis include the amount and concentration of the irritant, the duration and frequency of exposure. It also depends on the type of skin and its quality. Dry, light and thin skin, as well as previously damaged or atopic skin, are especially susceptible to external influences. The severity of simple contact dermatitis is determined by environmental factors such as high or low temperature and humidity.

Allergic contact dermatitis is an acute or chronic immune reaction to external contact allergens. It can also occur with exposure to sunlight, especially while taking certain medications.

Common allergens include nickel, chromium, formaldehyde, essential oils, latex, bleaches, laundry detergents, pesticides, some antibiotics, plants, animal dander and hair, and cosmetics.

Main symptoms

Both simple irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis can manifest themselves in three main groups of symptoms, which depend on the phase of the inflammatory process:

Acute phase: erythema, swelling, soreness, oozing, allergic rash, vesicular eruptions, crusting;

Subacute phase: crusts, scales, and hyperpigmentation;

Chronic phase: increased skin pattern, thickening and hardening of the skin (lichenification).

The face and hands are the most common locations for the occurrence of simple contact and allergic dermatitis.

Diagnosis

When consulting a doctor for a diagnosis of contact dermatitis, information regarding the type of activity, lifestyle, intake of any medications, and skin care is important. The risk of contact and allergic dermatitis may be higher in people with certain professions and hobbies, such as florists, construction workers, hairdressers, makeup artists, manicurists, agricultural workers, chefs, mechanics, healthcare workers, and others.

Patch testing is considered the gold standard for diagnosing contact allergic dermatitis and is used to determine its exact cause.

To perform this test, a small amount of potential allergens is applied to special patches, which are then applied to the skin of the back for 2-3 days. During this time, the patches should be kept away from moisture, so showering is avoided. The doctor then checks the presence and severity of the skin reaction under each of the patches and determines whether further examinations are necessary.

Are complications possible?

Yes, since with severe itching, the affected area is repeatedly scratched, as a result of which it becomes moist, weeping begins, which contributes to the seeding and growth of bacteria or fungi, leading to the development of an infectious process.

Treatment and prevention

Most cases of contact dermatitis go away on their own and Treated with simple measures. However, in some cases, the disease can become chronic, which has a significant impact on quality of life.

A key factor in skin health is avoiding contact with an irritant or allergen.

For example, wear jewelry made of hypoallergenic metal (surgical steel, gold, titanium).

Always use gloves or other protective equipment (face masks, goggles, etc.) when in contact with irritants, including household cleaning products.

If you come into contact with a potential irritant or allergen, wash your skin immediately. This will help remove most of it and reduce the likelihood of an inflammatory reaction.

Place a bandage over areas of skin contact with metal fasteners or buttons if contact cannot be avoided.

Use a moisturizing and soothing care for sensitive skin, such as Allersain LIBREDERM, which is specially designed for the characteristics and needs of sensitive skin prone to allergies. The line includes products that instantly soothe and restore sensitive skin, as well as help moisturize and enhance its natural protective function: a cleansing gel for washing, an intensive soothing day cream for supersensitive skin, and an intensive soothing night cream for the skin of the face and eye contour.

Regular use of moisturizing and soothing cosmetics helps reduce the skin's sensitivity to allergens by strengthening its barrier and effectively restoring it, maintaining its firmness and elasticity.

If severe inflammation occurs, you should consult a dermatologist who may prescribe corticosteroids for topical use in the form of a lotion, cream, or ointment. It is important to remember that when using them on areas with thin skin, such as the face, there is a high risk of thinning and atrophy of the skin, so such medications should always be used under the supervision of a specialist.

Antihistamines are prescribed to relieve itching. Additionally, especially if longer treatment is required, it is recommended to apply immunomodulatory drugs in the form of a cream.

While your skin is healing, try to avoid sun exposure or use a sunscreen with the highest protection factor, otherwise, persistent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation will remain on the healed skin.

Explains the expert, dermatologist, cosmetologist, PhD, associate professor of the Department of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education "Central State Medical Academy" of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, scientific director of DEKA Laser Russia Evgeniya Vladimirovna Ikonnikova.