--- title: "Contact dermatitis: Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "A plain-English guide to contact dermatitis — causes, treatment and when to see a GP." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/contact-dermatitis/ robots: noindex --- # Contact dermatitis: Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z A plain-English guide to contact dermatitis — causes, treatment and when to see a GP. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What is contact dermatitis? Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema caused by the skin coming into contact with something that irritates it or triggers an allergic reaction. It causes red, dry, itchy and sometimes blistered skin. It usually improves once the trigger is identified and avoided, alongside moisturisers and, if needed, steroid creams. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Contact dermatitis, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 5 sections ## Key facts about contact dermatitis - Contact dermatitis is skin inflammation caused by contact with a trigger. - Triggers can be irritants (like soaps) or allergens (like nickel or fragrances). - It causes red, dry, itchy and sometimes blistered skin. - It usually improves once the trigger is identified and avoided. ## What is contact dermatitis? Contact dermatitis is a form of eczema that occurs when the skin reacts to something it has touched. It is very common, particularly on the hands, and usually clears up once the cause is found and avoided. It is not contagious. ## Symptoms Contact dermatitis can cause skin that is: - red or darker than the surrounding skin - dry, cracked or scaly - itchy or sore - blistered or weepy in more severe reactions Symptoms usually appear on the area that came into contact with the trigger, such as the hands or face. ## What causes it There are two main types. **Irritant** contact dermatitis is caused by substances that damage the skin directly, such as soaps, detergents, solvents and frequent water exposure. **Allergic** contact dermatitis is an immune reaction to a specific allergen — common examples include nickel, fragrances, cosmetic preservatives, rubber and some plants — in people who have become sensitised to it. ## Treatment The most important step is to identify and avoid the trigger. Alongside this: - use moisturisers (emollients) regularly to protect and repair the skin - a pharmacist or GP may recommend a steroid cream to settle a flare-up - protect your skin — for example with gloves — if you cannot avoid an irritant at work or home ## Finding the cause If the trigger is not obvious, keeping track of flare-ups can help. For suspected allergies, a GP may arrange patch testing to pinpoint which substances your skin reacts to, so you know what to avoid. ## ! When to see a GP about contact dermatitis See a GP if your skin does not improve after avoiding likely triggers and using pharmacy treatments, if the rash is severe or widespread, or if it shows signs of infection such as weeping, crusting, swelling, increasing pain or a high temperature. A GP can also help identify the cause, including arranging allergy (patch) testing if needed. ## Common questions about contact dermatitis What is the difference between irritant and allergic contact dermatitis? Irritant contact dermatitis is caused by substances that directly damage the skin, such as soaps, detergents or frequent hand washing. Allergic contact dermatitis is an immune reaction to a specific allergen, such as nickel, fragrances or certain plants, in people who have become sensitised to it. What commonly triggers contact dermatitis? Common irritants include soaps, detergents, solvents and frequent water exposure. Common allergens include nickel (in jewellery), fragrances, preservatives in cosmetics, rubber and some plants. Triggers vary from person to person. How is contact dermatitis treated? The main step is identifying and avoiding the trigger. Alongside this, regular moisturisers (emollients) protect the skin, and a GP or pharmacist may recommend a steroid cream to settle flare-ups. How do I find out what is causing it? Keeping a note of when and where flare-ups happen can reveal a pattern. For suspected allergic contact dermatitis, a GP may refer you for patch testing, which checks how your skin reacts to a range of common allergens. ## Sources - [NHS — Contact dermatitis](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contact-dermatitis/)