Contact Dermatitis
Alternate Names : Allergic Contact Dermatitis, Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a bumpy patch of red, itchy, flaky skin. It occurs when
someone has an allergic
reaction after coming into contact with something that irritates
his or her skin. The substance that irritates the skin is known as an allergen,
and it triggers the allergic reaction.
What is going on in the body?
Contact dermatitis occurs when someone has been exposed to a substance that
irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction. People are more
likely to have contact dermatitis if they have sensitive skin or a pre-existing
skin condition.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Some of the more common allergens that trigger contact dermatitis include the
following:
soaps
fabric softeners
perfumes
cosmetics
nickel, which may be found in jewelry, zippers, buckles, hair ornaments,
and other accessories
deodorants
plants, such as poison ivy,
poison oak, or poison sumac
rubber, such as in shoe linings or latex gloves
hair dyes, especially permanent dyes containing paraphenylenediamine, or
PPD
dyes used in clothing, which may contain PPD
certain local
anesthesia medications, including benzocaine, which is chemically
related to PPD
neomycin, an antibiotic commonly found in over-the-counter antibiotic
ointments
chromates, which are chemicals commonly found in cement, leather, paints,
matches, and anti-rust products
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