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.
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.
Common questions
- 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.