Allergic contact dermatitis

Have you been itching, with redness and blisters, after contact with certain things? It may be allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), a common skin condition when your immune system reacts to specific allergens. However, ACD is not unmanageable as there are effective treatments available for the management of symptoms to improve your lifestyle.

About Allergic Contact Dermatitis:

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common skin condition that arises when the immune system misinterprets an external contact as harmful. Unlike an immediate irritation, ACD takes 48-72 hours to develop, leading to an itchy, red, and sometimes blistering reaction.

Causes and Symptoms:

Causes

  • Metals: Nickel, cobalt, chromium (found in jewelry, watches, metal buttons)
  • Fragrances: Perfumes, colognes, soaps, detergents
  • Rubber: Latex gloves/elastic bands
  • Plants: Poison ivy/oak/sumac
  • Cosmetics: Hair dyes/nail polish/makeup
  • Topical allergic dermatitis medicine: Neomycin/corticosteroids

Symptoms

The allergic contact dermatitis symptoms depend on various factors, including its location on the body. These reactions can manifest as one or several of the following:

  • Redness, itchiness, burning sensation
  • Small bumps or papules
  • Fluid-filled blisters
  • Crusting scaling
  • Swelling

Allergic Contact Dermatitis Treatment:

Avoiding the allergen: The most crucial step in treating allergies and contact dermatitis is avoiding contact with the causing agent. Therefore, it would be best to eliminate such exposure from your lifestyle, including wearing gloves while cleaning using harsh chemicals or changing personal care products.

Over-the-counter medications: Some over-the-counter medicine for dermatitis allergy can ease symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis. For example, hydrocortisone cream – a mild type steroid cream that can help reduce inflammation and itching. Calamine lotion helps soothe the skin and relieve itching. Similarly, oral antihistamines are recognized for reducing sensations of itchiness and minimizing swelling.

Prescribed medications: If your allergic dermatitis symptoms are severe or don't improve with over-the-counter allergic rash dermatitis treatment, your doctor may prescribe stronger medicine for skin allergy itching, such as: topical corticosteroids: These are more potent steroid creams than those bought in a pharmacy. Topical calcineurin inhibitors which are non-steroidal drugs that effectively reduces the immune response to allergens.

Oral corticosteroids: In some cases, your doctor can prescribe taking glucocorticoids orally for a short period.

Note: The treatments mentioned here are provided for informational purposes only. It is strongly advised to consult with a dermatologist or skin specialist before using any medication mentioned, as they can provide personalized recommendations based on your individual medical history and needs

Other treatments:

  • Wet compresses – The application of excellent moist dressings on the affected area helps alleviate pain and swelling.
  • Oatmeal baths – Baths using colloidal oatmeal can help ease irritation and itchiness.
  • Phototherapy – Allergic contact dermatitis face treatment that employs ultraviolet rays to minimize inflammation.

American Hospital Dubai: Your Go-to Skincare Solutions Provider:

At American Hospital Dubai, our team of experienced dermatologists offers comprehensive care for ACD (allergic contact dermatitis). We appreciate how our specialists develop personalized allergic dermatitis treatment plans specifically designed for you.

  • Our doctors have specialized in treating all kinds of skin ailments, including ACD.
  • We conduct patch testing, among other tests, for faster identification of causes of skin reactions on your body.
  • Depending on severity, we devise an individual approach to every patient’s condition needs by tailoring medication according to their status.
  • We listen carefully to everything you say and work together during the decision-making process, thus ensuring that you comprehend each stage of the healing procedure.

Book an Appointment

Don’t let ACD rule your life, as it is just a skin condition. The first step towards relief from this skin condition is to make an appointment with one of our dermatologists by contacting American Hospital Dubai at +97143775500 or visiting any of our branches in Dubai Hills, Mira, Jumeirah, Al Barsha, Oud Metha, and Media City.

Allergic contact dermatitis is usually manageable but not curable. Its contact dermatitis treatment entails identifying the causative allergens and their subsequent avoidance and using medications to control signs and symptoms of skin allergy.

Certain occupations like healthcare providers, hair stylists, and people who work with metals, chemicals, and plants are more likely to develop allergic contact dermatitis due to occupational exposure.

Patch testing ascertains specific allergenic agents that cause dermatitis. Few probable allergens are smeared on the skin, and reactions are checked.

Some use other allergic skin reaction treatment like acupuncture or herbal contact dermatitis medicine to eliminate allergic contact dermatitis.

Genetic factors may determine whether an individual will develop allergy-related diseases, including allergic contact dermatitis.

Allergic contact dermatitis sometimes occurs abruptly upon exposure to an individual’s newly sensitized allergen.

Hives, or urticaria, often result from hive allergic reaction rash to substances like foods, medications, insect stings, or environmental factors. When the body releases histamine in response to these allergic reactions causing hives, it can lead to the development of red, raised welts on the skin. Hives treatment typically involves identifying and avoiding the triggering allergen, along with the use of antihistamines to alleviate symptoms.