Contact
Dermatitis
What
is it?
Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin resulting from
contact with an irritating substance. Many things can cause contact
dermatitis including jewelry, soaps/detergents, new clothes, poison
ivy, oak, and sumac plants, etc.
What
are the symptoms?
The major symptom is a red, itchy, occasionally blistering rash
which occurs within 2 to 3 days after contact with the irritating
surface.
Does
it spread?
No. However, it may take longer for some skin areas to break out
than others. Also, if the irritating substance touches a new location
on your body, you will likely find the symptoms of contact dermatitis
at the new location.
What
can you do?
Prevention:
Avoid substances that have caused your contact dermatitis in the
past. If poison ivy, oak, or sumac caused your problem, be sure
to bathe or shower immediately and launder the clothes you wore
at the time of contact. If your pet was with you at the time of
contact, you may want to bathe it too. This will prevent the plant
residue remaining on your clothing or on animal hair from affecting
new areas on your body.
Cool
showers or moist compresses: These help reduce itching and swelling.
DO
NOT SCRATCH: This only causes more itching and might lead to an
infection.
Medications
-
Aspirin (600 mg; 2 regular strength tablets) or acetaminophen
(650 mg.) every 4-6 hours to reduce itching.
- Hydrocortisone cream which you can purchase without a prescription
at a drug store may help reduce inflammation.
- Antihistamines (diphenhydramine, for example) can also help
reduce itching. However, they may make you drowsy, and should
not be taken if you plan to drink alcohol, drive, or operate power
tools.
Consult
Health Care Personnel
-
if you are unsure of the cause of your rash.
- if the rash does not begin improving within 2 weeks.
- if the rash involves the face (especially eyes) or genitals.
- if you develop other symptoms with the rash, (for example, fever,
sore throat, shortness of breath).
- anytime you are unsure of what to do.
Back
to Common Ailments page
Maintained
by: studenthealth@virginia.edu
Last Modified:
Monday, 07-Nov-2005 10:29:16 EST
© 2002 by the Rector
and Visitors of the University of Virginia
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