Contact dermatitis is inflammation of the skin that occurs when the skin comes into contact with something it reacts to. It could be an irritant that damages the barrier of the skin, or an allergen that causes an immune reaction.
We offer private consultations for patients with itchy, red, sore or irritated skin. Your clinician will look at the rash, discuss potential triggers, and suggest treatment to calm the skin and reduce further flare-ups.
Contact dermatitis comes in two main types. Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when the skin is repeatedly exposed to substances like soaps, detergents, cleaning products, solvents, sanitiser or friction.
Allergic contact dermatitis is an immune system reaction to a particular substance. They may be caused by fragrances, preservatives, hair dye, nickel, rubber, cosmetics, plants, adhesives or some topical products.
The key to treating contact dermatitis is identifying the trigger. Your clinician may ask questions about skin care, soaps, cleaning products, occupational exposure, gloves, jewellery, cosmetics, hair products, medication creams and recent changes in routine.
Sometimes the cause is obvious, sometimes it may take a little time to figure out. It can be helpful for assessment to keep track of when the rash appears, what products you used, and where it develops.
Contact dermatitis can affect the hands, face, eyelids, neck, arms or any area that has touched a trigger. Symptoms can appear quickly after exposure or develop more slowly, depending on the cause. You may notice:
Your clinician will look at the pattern of the rash and help identify what may be contributing to it.
Contact dermatitis commonly affects the hands because they are exposed to frequent washing, sanitiser, cleaning products, gloves, chemicals and friction. It can cause painful cracks, dryness, peeling and difficulty with daily tasks.
Your clinician may discuss protective measures such as suitable gloves, moisturising after washing, avoiding harsh products and using soap substitutes. If work exposure is contributing, practical changes may be needed to reduce repeated irritation.
Treatment varies according to the severity of the rash and whether the skin is dry, inflamed, cracked or infected. Your clinician might suggest emollients to repair the skin barrier and prescription creams to reduce inflammation where appropriate.
We will explain your treatment plan clearly, including how often to apply products, where to apply them and when to return for review if symptoms do not improve.
If allergic contact dermatitis is suspected and the trigger is unclear, further allergy assessment may be needed. We offer this at our Cobham Clinic in Surrey which can help identify delayed skin allergies to substances that come into contact with the skin.
Your clinician will advise whether an allergy test or specialist dermatology referral is appropriate. This can be especially useful for persistent hand, eyelid, facial or occupational dermatitis.
Once you identify a trigger, you can try to avoid or reduce contact with it to help prevent future flare-ups. This may include changing skincare, switching household products, changing work protection or avoiding certain metals, fragrances or preservatives. Supportive habits can be:
Contact dermatitis can sometimes lead to broken skin, which increases the risk of infection. Signs may include increasing pain, warmth, swelling, yellow crusting, weeping, pus or feeling generally unwell.
If infection is suspected, your clinician can assess the area and advise whether additional treatment is needed. It is important not to ignore worsening symptoms, especially if the rash is spreading or becoming painful.
Living with contact dermatitis can be frustrating, especially when your skin reacts to everyday products. A full medical review can take the guesswork out of it and avoid treatments that can aggravate irritation.
We offer contact dermatitis care in a caring and confidential environment. The goal is to find likely triggers, calm inflammation and help your skin recover safely.
Choose your preferred clinic location and get in touch with our team directly to book an appointment or make an enquiry.
CALL NOW