Contact Dermatitis

Many skin conditions are unpredictable and can flare up drastically without any warning. If you have contact dermatitis, the team at Kessel Dermatology can help identify your irritants so that you can avoid the itching, burning, and pain of a reaction. Their team of skilled providers offers patch tests to identify your irritants and treatments to soothe your symptoms. To learn more, call the offices servicing the Hamilton Square, Trenton, and Mercer County areas in New Jersey, or book an appointment online today. 

What is contact dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis, a form of eczema, indicates an overreaction of your immune system, causing your skin to react to specific foreign objects or allergens.

After touching an irritant, your skin breaks out in a red and itchy rash. Other symptoms include:

• A burning sensation
• Scales
• Dry, cracked skin
• Blisters
• Oozing

A mild or moderate contact dermatitis rash should clear up by itself within a few weeks. 

What triggers contact dermatitis?

Many plants, metals, and chemicals can trigger a flare-up, so you should pay close attention to the things you touch to find out what’s causing your contact dermatitis. Common triggers include:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Bleach
• Sawdust
• Poison ivy
• Pesticides
• Pollen
• Nickel

In many cases, contact dermatitis triggers are substances that you’re allergic to. If you have any allergies, telling your dermatologist can help identify your irritants. 

What is a patch test for contact dermatitis?

Your dermatologist may recommend a patch test to help find the cause of your contact dermatitis outbreaks. 

They place an adhesive patch on your skin containing tiny amounts of potential irritants. After 48 hours, they remove the patch and monitor your skin for a few days. If the patch spot itches or burns during this time, you should not scratch or rub it. 

Your Kessel Dermatology provider examines your skin for reactive areas at the patch site. At this point, they have an idea of the irritants causing your rashes.

Is contact dermatitis treatable?

You can treat many cases of contact dermatitis with home remedies and lifestyle adjustments, such as:

• Avoiding your irritants
• Using over-the-counter creams and medications
• Using a cool or warm compress
• Applying gentle lotions 
• Soaking in a bath

If your rashes are relentless, your dermatologist can prescribe stronger topical or oral medications to ease your reactions.

Having contact dermatitis without knowing your irritants puts you at risk for frustrating skin inflammation. Call Kessel Dermatology or request an appointment online today.