Imagine waking up with an unexpected surprise on your skin- a red itchy patch that seems to have a mind of its own. If you have ever experienced anything like this, there is a name for the condition. It is called contact dermatitis.
Let’s explore the intriguing world of contact dermatitis – a skin condition that can develop from contact allergy. Your favorite jewelry or beauty products can be the culprits behind your contact dermatitis. Let’s discover more about contact dermatitis. We can start exploring teenage skin and contact dermatitis right from the basics.
What Is Contact Dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is a common skin condition, and it is in no way, a life-threatening problem. However, contact dermatitis is often irritating and itchy. Your skin may become scaly and itchy.
The development of reddish patches is a common sign of contact dermatitis. Eczema like this often creates difficulties in conducting daily activities for an individual. There are two types of contact dermatitis. They include
- Allergic contact dermatitis: As the name suggests, the reason for allergic contact dermatitis is often an allergen. It can be a substance to which your skin reacts badly. This skin reaction can often lead to allergic reactions. Anything can be an allergen, metals, drugs, pollen, and even sunlight. It may take several days several days for symptoms to appear.
- Irritant contact dermatitis: Unlike allergic contact dermatitis, this type of contact dermatitis appears quickly, when skin is exposed to an allergen. The main symptom of irritant contact dermatitis includes a painful rash. Soap, detergents, and acid are some of the common irritants.
Who Is At Risk Of Contact Dermatitis?
There are no particular categories of risk factors for contact dermatitis. Anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, and ethnicity can develop contact dermatitis. However, people who work in particular surroundings that are exposed to common allergens have a higher risk of contact dermatitis. Construction workers, medical professionals, artists, cooks, bakers, hairstylists, make-up artists, and agricultural workers have a higher risk of occupational dermatitis.
How Common Is Contact Dermatitis In Adolescents?
Due to various habits and behaviors, teenagers are vulnerable, when it comes to contact dermatitis. Compared to adults, teenagers have sensitive skin. Unlike adults, teens have thin skin, so their skin absorbs more products.
Exposure to cosmetics and other personal hygiene products during the adolescent stage increases the risk of contact dermatitis. The face is the most common part affected by contact dermatitis in teenagers. Among them, girls have a higher percentage of contact dermatitis on the face.
What Are The Causes Of Contact Dermatitis?
Numerous substances can cause dermatitis. The allergic reactions to the same substances in different individuals may differ. Some of the common causes of contact dermatitis include,
- Metals
- Drugs
- Detergents
- Soap
- Scented cosmetic products
- Pesticides
- Pollen
- Preservatives
- Some plants like ragweed and pigweed
- Cleaning products
- Solvents
- Acids
- Plastic and epoxy products
People with sensitive skin and other skin conditions have a higher risk of developing contact dermatitis. When you come into contact with any of these products, skin rashes can appear on your face, lips, neck, eyelids, armpits, arms, fingers, feet, genitals, and legs.
What Are The Symptoms Of Contact Dermatitis?
Skin rash is a prominent symptom of contact dermatitis. The rashes that develop on your skin often have different characteristics,
- Reddish or pinkish rashes
- Hyperpigmented patches on black or brown skin
- Swollen hives that are extremely itchy
- Pus pus-filled blisters
- Painful rashes
- Rashes that look like a cluster of pimples
What Are The Ways To Treat Contact Dermatitis?
In mild cases of contact dermatitis, home remedies can reduce the symptoms of skin dermatitis. However, if the rash gets more severe and itchy, seek professional help. If you experience breathing problems along with itchy rashes, immediate medical help is needed.
Avoiding things that can cause dermatitis is the best way to treat contact dermatitis. Over-the-counter medicines, anti-itch creams, prescription drugs for alleviating other symptoms, and oral steroids can effectively alleviate the symptoms of contact dermatitis.
What Are The Effective Measures To Prevent Contact Dermatitis?
Living with contact dermatitis can be hard at times. Taking effective measures to avoid contact with the allergen takes little to no effort. Precautionary measures for contact dermatitis include,
- Avoid contact with known allergens.
- If you are someone who uses cosmetics and skin care products, stick with fragrance-free products.
- Regularly apply moisturizer
- Wash your skin if you suspect any contact with an allergen.
- Pets can also become carriers of allergens like pollen or plant parts. So it is important to take care of your pets.
Read More:- Common Fungal Infections On The Skin – Types You Should Know
Conclusion
Contact dermatitis is a common skin condition. Since teens have sensitive and thin skin they are more susceptible to allergic dermatitis. Even though it is a non-serious condition, severe symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Mild symptoms of contact dermatitis may go away with home remedies or with no treatment. Avoiding contact with known allergens, fragrance-free skincare products, regular skin moisturization, and other measures for precaution can prevent contact dermatitis to an extent.
