Contact dermatitis is inflammation on the skin due to exposure to certain substances that cause irritation or allergic reactions. Contact dermatitis can be characterized by: red rashand itching on the skin.
Contact dermatitis is not contagious or dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable for the sufferer. Treatment of contact dermatitis can be done by identifying and avoiding the cause of the appearance of this condition.
Causes of Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is caused by exposure to substances that cause irritation or an allergic reaction to the skin. Based on these causes, contact dermatitis is divided into:
Irritant contact dermatitis
This type occurs when the outer layer of the skin comes into contact with certain substances that cause damage to the protective layer of the skin. This type of dermatitis is the most common.
Some substances that can trigger irritant contact dermatitis are soaps, detergents, shampoos, bleach, airborne substances (such as sawdust or wool powder), plants, fertilizers, pesticides, acids, alkalis, engine oil, perfumes, and preservatives. , as well as the use of inappropriate hair clippers.
Allergic contact dermatitis
This type occurs when the skin comes into contact with an allergen that triggers the immune system to overreact, causing the skin to itch and become inflamed.
Allergens that often trigger allergic skin reactions include topical medications (e.g. antibiotic creams), airborne substances (e.g. pollen), plants, metals in jewelry, rubber, and cosmetic ingredients (e.g. nail polishes and dyes). hair).
Risk factors for contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis can happen to anyone. However, a person with the following conditions is more at risk of developing contact dermatitis:
- Have a job dealing with irritants or allergies, such as mining and construction workers, hairdressers, janitors, or gardeners
- Suffering from other skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis
- Have a history of allergies to certain substances
- Prolonged exposure to the sun while on treatment with tetracycline or other drugs that cause skin sensitivity
- Using jewelry in the long term, such as earrings that contain nickel
Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis
Symptoms of contact dermatitis can appear on any part of the body that is in direct contact with the triggering substance. These symptoms can appear within minutes to hours after contact, and can last for 2–4 weeks.
The following are some of the common symptoms of contact dermatitis:
- Red rash appears
- Itchy skin that can be severe
- Dry, scaly, or cracked skin
- Bumps or blisters filled with water appear that can break and dry up
- Skin feels warm or hot
- Thickened or darkened skin
- Swollen skin
- Painful skin when pressed
Symptoms of contact dermatitis may vary from person to person, depending on the cause and sensitivity of the skin to the trigger. Patients may also experience different symptoms from time to time.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience the symptoms mentioned above, especially if the symptoms interfere with your daily activities, get worse and spread, last more than 3 weeks, or have spread to the face and genitals.
Immediately see a doctor if you experience symptoms accompanied by the following conditions:
- Signs of infection, such as fever, discharge of pus on the affected skin, and worsening pain
- A rash that has extended to the inside of the mouth
- An irritant or allergic reaction that affects the eyes, nose or lungs
Contact Dermatitis Diagnosis
To diagnose contact dermatitis, initially the doctor will ask the patient a number of questions about the symptoms experienced, medical history, occupation, and the topical medications being used.
Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination by looking at the skin condition suspected of having contact dermatitis. A physical examination is performed to determine the pattern and severity of the rash on the skin.
In order for the diagnosis to be accurate, the doctor may perform a series of examinations using substances suspected of triggering contact dermatitis. The inspection includes:
- Allergy test, by attaching a substance suspected of triggering allergic contact dermatitis to the skin for 2 days, then observing the reaction on the skin
- ROAT test or irritation test, by applying a certain substance to the same skin, 2 times a day, for 7 days, and seeing the reaction
Contact Dermatitis Treatmentk
Most contact dermatitis will go away on its own, once there is no more contact between the skin with the substance causing it. However, to relieve the symptoms that arise, there are several treatments that can be done, namely:
Self care at home
As a first step in treating contact dermatitis, sufferers can perform self-care at home, such as:
- Cold compressing the area affected by contact dermatitis
- Do not scratch the area affected by contact dermatitis
- Maintain hand hygiene by washing hands so that the skin affected by contact dermatitis is protected from infection
- Use a skin moisturizer, so the skin doesn't dry out and heals faster
Drugs
If efforts to relieve symptoms at home are not working, the doctor may prescribe medications such as:
- Corticosteroid creams or ointments, such as hydrocortisone, which is applied to the skin 2 times a day
- Corticosteroid tablets, for contact dermatitis patients with large areas of skin
Both types of drugs above must be used as directed by a doctor. Excessive use or even less can reduce the effectiveness of the drug and even risk causing side effects that can worsen skin conditions.
Therapy
If the above medicines have not been able to relieve symptoms, the doctor can treat it with methods such as the following:
- Immunosuppressant therapy, to reduce inflammation by suppressing the body's immune system
- Phototherapy, to restore the appearance of the skin as before on the skin area affected by contact dermatitis
- Administration of retinoid drugs, to help regenerate new skin and reduce inflammation, especially in contact dermatitis on the hands
Complications of Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis that is not treated properly can lead to complications, such as:
- Bacterial or fungal infections, especially if the rash is scratched frequently
- Cellulitis
- Open wound
- Changes in skin texture or formation of scar tissue
- Changes in skin color
Contact Dermatitis Prevention
The best way to prevent contact dermatitis is to identify and avoid allergenic and irritating substances, for example by switching to personal care products that are known to cause allergies or irritation.
If the triggering substance is difficult to avoid, there are several ways that can be done to reduce the risk of developing contact dermatitis, namely:
- Cleans the skin immediately after exposure to substances that cause irritation or allergic reactions
- Wear protective clothing or gloves to reduce direct contact with allergens and irritants
- Using moisturizers to improve the condition of the outermost layer of the skin, so that the skin is healthier and less sensitive to substances that cause allergies or irritants