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| the Allergy Site Navigator |
You are in > Eczema,
Contact Dermatitis
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| Typical examples |
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Information courtesy of
New Zealand DermNet
Some typical
examples of allergic contact dermatitis include:
- An eczema of the wrist
underlying a watch strap due to contact allergy to nickel
- An eczema of the lower leg
when ankle strapping has been removed due to contact allergy
to rosin in the adhesive plaster
- Hand dermatitis caused by
thiuram, an anti-oxidant chemical used in the manufacture of
rubber gloves
- Itchy red face due to contact
allergy with Kaphon CG, a preservative in a moisturiser.
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About Allergic
Contact Dermatitis |
Allergic contact dermatitis is an
itchy skin condition caused by an allergic reaction to material
in contact with the skin. It arises some hours after contact
with the responsible material, and settles down over some days
providing the skin is no longer in contact with it.
Contact dermatitis should be distinguished from contact
urticaria, in which a rash appears within minutes of exposure
and fades away within minutes to hours. The allergic reaction to
latex is the best known example of allergic contact urticaria.
Allergic contact dermatitis is also distinct from irritant
contact dermatitis, in which a similar skin condition is caused
by excessive contact with irritants. Irritants include water,
soaps, detergents, solvents, acids, alkalis, and friction.
Irritant contact dermatitis may affect anyone, providing they
have had enough exposure to the irritant, but those with atopic
dermatitis are particularly sensitive. Most cases of hand
dermatitis are due to contact with irritants.
Allergy is the term given to a reaction by a small number of
people to a substance (known as the allergen) which is harmless
to those who are not allergic to it. Only small quantities of
allergen are necessary to induce the reaction. Contact allergy
occurs predominantly from the allergen on the skin rather than
from internal sources or food. The first contact does not result
in allergy; often the person has been able to touch the material
for many years without adverse reaction.
Other common allergies are to nickel (jewellery), fragrances,
preservatives, rubber (gloves), dye (hair colourants), adhesives
of various kinds, and topical medications such as antibiotics.
There is a very long list of materials that have caused contact
allergy in a small number of individuals.
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Image description: |
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Contact dermatitis due to allergy
to rubber antioxidant in brassiere |
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Source |
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http://www.dermnetnz.org/index.html |
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Image description: |
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Contact dermatitis caused by
allergy to colophony in strapping |
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Source |
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http://www.dermnetnz.org/index.html |
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Image description: |
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Contact dermatitis due to allergy
to nickel in watch strap |
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Source |
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http://www.dermnetnz.org/index.html |
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Photoallergy
Sometimes contact allergy arises
only after the skin has been exposed to ultraviolet light. The
rash is confined to sun exposed areas even though the allergen
may have been in contact with covered areas.
Examples include:
- Dermatitis due to a sunscreen
chemical, affecting the top but not the under surface of the
arm
- Dermatitis of face, neck,
arms and hands due to antiseptic in soap.
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| Testing for
contact allergies |
Sometimes it is easy to recognise
contact allergy and no specific tests are necessary. The rash
usually (but not always) completely clears up if the allergen is
no longer in contact with the skin, but recurs even with slight
contact with it again.
The open user test is used to confirm contact allergy to a
cosmetic such as a moisturiser. The product under suspicion is
applied several times daily for several days to a small area of
sensitive skin. The inner aspect of the upper arm is suitable.
Contact allergy is likely if dermatitis arises in the treated
area.
If you think you may have a contact allergy, consult a
dermatologist to have patch tests performed
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| Risk Indicator |
Contact dermatitis is not normally
a dangerous condition. It can however vary in severity from one
individual to another, in certain instances, requiring
hospitalisation. Always consult your Doctor if you are in doubt
as to symptoms or severity. |
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