Contact dermatitis

What is it?

Contact dermatitis is caused by irritation from, or an allergy to, something in contact with your skin. It results in an itchy rash, which sometimes blisters.

What are the symptoms?

A red, burning rash with blisters that burst, crust over and leave the skin dry, scaly, cracked and tender.

What causes it?

Contact dermatitis may be toxic – for instance due to corrosive acid – or allergic, from an allergen like nickel, or from primula plants. Both damage your skin’s outer protective layer and cause inflammation.

Common irritants include cleaning products, rubber gloves, hair products, soap, airborne substances, certain plants, fertilisers and pesticides.

Common allergens that trigger an immune reaction in your skin include nickel in jewellery, medications, personal care products, plants, airborne allergens and products that cause a reaction when you’re in the sun if you’re light sensitive.

What’s the treatment?

Firstly, you need to identify and avoid the allergens or irritants that affect you.

If your skin is sore, inflamed and blistered, speak to your GP who may prescribe a topical corticosteroid to rapidly quell the inflammation. Steroid tablets may be needed for a severe, widespread, weeping rash.

Once the skin starts to heal, use a moisturising cream such as E45 applied directly and liberally to the skin to reduce water loss and cover it with a protective film.

Moisturisers are often used to help manage dry or scaly skin conditions such as eczema.

Contact dermatitis can erupt again any time you expose your skin to the trigger.