Contact Dermatitis — Conditions

What is Contact Dermatitis?

A skin inflammation reaction caused by contact with specific substances

Divided into irritant (detergents, chemicals) and allergic (nickel, fragrances) types, causing redness, itching, and blisters at contact sites.

Main causes & characteristics

Contact dermatitis is inflammation that occurs when an outside substance touches the skin, and it is divided into an irritant type, where irritating substances such as detergents, acids, or alkalis cause direct damage, and an allergic type, where the immune system reacts to things such as nickel, fragrance, or rubber. Characteristically, relatively well-demarcated redness, itching, and small blisters appear along the area of contact. The allergic type often takes more than a day after contact for the reaction to surface.

How to manage

Keeping away from the substance suspected as the cause, wiping it off with lukewarm water, and then calming the itch and burning with a cold compress is generally recommended. Applying plenty of a fragrance-free, low-irritation moisturizer to help the damaged barrier recover and not scratching is advisable. If the area is wide, the swelling or oozing is severe, or it recurs, consulting a dermatologist is recommended.

Good to know alongside

It can be confused with eczema and hives, and patch testing is used to identify the causative substance. Metal jewelry, rubber gloves, and hair dye are cited as common triggers.

Everyday care tips

Wear cotton-lined gloves when handling detergents and cleaning supplies, and try a new cosmetic on the inner forearm first to watch how your skin reacts. Getting into the habit of checking the ingredient list for suspect substances helps.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Contact Dermatitis?

A skin inflammation reaction caused by contact with specific substances. Divided into irritant (detergents, chemicals) and allergic (nickel, fragrances) types, causing redness, itching, and blisters at contact sites.

Related Entries

• Acne
• Atopic Dermatitis
• Rosacea
• Melasma
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Urticaria (Hives)
• Sunburn

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Sources & References

• Korean Dermatological Association
• American Academy of Dermatology — Diseases & Conditions
• DermNet (New Zealand Dermatological Society)
• NIH MedlinePlus — Skin Conditions

Medical Disclaimer

SKINROUTE is not a medical device or healthcare provider. All content is general skincare information for reference only. If you have concerns about your skin, please consult a board-certified dermatologist.