Allergic Contact Rashes

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What is contact dermatitis?

This is a skin reaction that occurs when you touch or contact substances that you are allergic to. Your skin can be itchy, cracked, red, sore, and even bleed. The substances that cause this reaction can be an ingredient in your makeup, aftershave, shampoo, jewelry, medication, and clothing. You may also find these substances at work in your cleaning supplies, paper and ink, medicines, disinfectants, construction materials and rubber products.

AAD pamphlet on Allergic Contact Dermatitis

How is contact dermatitis treated?

Successful contact dermatitis treatment begins by identifying the allergens causing the reaction. Then, if you can avoid the troublesome allergen, the rash usually resolves in two to four weeks. Self-care measures, such as wet compresses and anti-itch creams, can help soothe your skin and reduce inflammation, but if you don’t know what caused the rash, you risk having it reoccur.

The best way to identify what your skin is allergic to is to have an allergy patch test.