Contact Dermatitis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Contact dermatitis (der-ma-TI-tus) is a skin rash. It develops when your skin touches something that irritates it or causes an allergic reaction. Contact dermatitis is most commonly seen on the head and neck, arms, or skin fold areas. It can appear anywhere on your body where your skin has touched something that irritates it. Contact dermatitis can be caused by many substances that you use every day. This includes hair products, make-ups, or suntan lotions. It includes clothing like wool, leather, or fur, and metals such as nickel. You may get a rash from dyes, cleaning products, latex, and medicines. You may get a rash from foods or from touching plants such as poison ivy, oak, or sumac.
  
  
• A contact dermatitis rash may be red, itchy, or swollen. It may be dry and scaly, or wet and oozing. Some rashes are bumpy or have blisters. Contact dermatitis can be treated with medicines that your caregiver tells you to use. It is important to find out what is causing your rash. You may need "patch testing" (a skin test) if you do not know what is causing the problem. Then you can avoid skin contact with the irritating substance and prevent another rash.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Always take your medicine as directed by your caregiver. If you feel it is not helping, call your caregiver. Do not quit taking it unless your caregiver tells you to.
  
  
• Keep track of the medicines you are taking and when and why you take them. Bring a list of your medicines or bring your pill bottles and eye drops when you see your caregiver. You may be taking a medicine that is causing your rash to be worse without even knowing it. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicines.
  
  
• If you are taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks), take them until they are all gone. Do this even if you feel well. Only use medicines that your caregiver has given to you. Do not use other products without talking to your caregiver first, because they may bother your skin.
  
  
• If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

How can I take care of my skin while I have a rash?

• Keep the irritated areas of your skin away from hot water, soap, sunlight, or chemicals. Avoid touching anything with acid or other substances that might sting or bother your skin.
  
  
• Put a compress on your rash. Dip a clean washcloth in cool water or Burow's solution. Wring it out and place it on your rash. Leave the washcloth on your skin for 15 minutes. Do this three times each day.
  
  
• If the area of irritated skin is too large to cover with a washcloth, take daily baths. Use lukewarm water when bathing. Putting cornstarch, baking soda, or colloidal oatmeal powder in the water may help soothe and heal your skin. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel rather than rubbing it.
  
  
• Wear gloves if you need to touch the substance that may be causing your contact dermatitis. Throw away gloves if they have a hole in them.

How can I take care of my skin every day, even when my rash is gone?

• Do not let your skin become too dry. Use "fragrance-free" or "scent-free" creams and lotions. Put on creams and lotions that your caregiver tells you to use.
  
  
• If your skin is very dry, try bathing every other day in lukewarm water. Use mild soap or soap-free cleansers.
  
  
• Rinse your skin with lots of water if you touch something that you know will cause a rash.

What are some common causes of contact dermatitis and how can I avoid them?

• Metals: Nickel-plated or chrome-plated items often cause a skin rash. Ask for a stainless-steel needle to be used if you are having your ears or body pierced. Use earrings with nickel-free posts. Surgical steel or sterling silver posts are best. Metal clothing fasteners such as buttons, snaps, zippers, and clips often cause a rash. To avoid contact with your skin, cover these fasteners with plastic or cloth. If you are not allergic to nail polish, paint the fasteners with clear fingernail polish. You may also use nylon zippers or clips instead of metal.
  
  
• Clothing: Wash and rinse all new clothes before wearing them for the first time. Wear soft, smooth clothes. Buy clothes that are made of cotton or cotton-blend. Remember that dyes in your clothing or shoes may also cause a rash.
  
  
• Hair, nail, skin, and tanning products: Many people get an allergic skin reaction to the fragrances (perfumes) or perservatives in these products.
  
  
  • Use "fragrance-free" or "unscented" products to decrease your chance of a rash. Read the labels of "hypoallergenic" products. These may contain fragrances that could irritate your skin.
    
    
  • Other items that may contain fragrances or preservatives are shampoos, soaps, and deodorants. These also include some tissues and toilet paper, and lotions and creams. Flavorings in toothpaste and mouthwash may cause the area around your mouth to have a rash.
    
    
  • Make sure your polished or hardened fingernails are completely dry before touching your eyes or face.
    
    
  • Always do a patch test on your scalp (head skin) before using a new hair dye. Follow the instructions on the hair dye package carefully.
    
    
  • Use PABA-free tanning products if you are allergic to PABA. Ask your caregiver about chemical-free sunscreens that you may use.
  
  
• Medicines: Some antibiotic (an-ti-bi-AH-tik) ointments, steroids, and first aid creams can irritate the skin. The preservatives in ear and eye drops may also irritate your skin or eyes.
  
  
• Foods and plants: The juices of certain foods and oils from plants like poison ivy, oak, or sumac can be very irritating. To decrease the chance of contact with poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac:
  
  
  • Wear long pants and long sleeves when hiking in the woods or other areas where these plants might grow.
    
    
  • Wear a skin barrier such as IvyBlock™ (Bentoquatam) to keep the oils from soaking into your skin.
  
  
• Rubber and latex: Rubber and latex may be found in surgical gloves, condoms, and some adhesives (glues). It may be found in undergarments such as bras and waistbands of underwear or exercise clothes. A latex allergy can be very serious. It can cause hives, trouble breathing, and even death in extreme cases. If you are sensitive to latex, do the following:
  
  
  • Use vinyl or other latex-free gloves to protect your hands.
    
    
  • Use a lambskin condom. Remember that lambskin condoms cannot protect you from HIV. If the latex-sensitive partner is male, put a regular condom over the lambskin condom to prevent HIV. If the latex-sensitive partner is female, put a lambskin condom over the regular condom. If you are very latex-sensitive, always talk to your caregiver before using lambskin condoms and regular condoms together.

Support: To learn more about preventing contact dermatitis in your workplace, contact:

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  Phone: 1-800-356-4674
  Web Address: www.cdc.gov/niosh
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have signs of a skin infection. This includes swelling, tenderness, redness, warmth, or pus.
  
  
• Your skin rash is spreading or has not gotten better with treatment.
  
  
• You have new skin problems that may be caused by your treatment or medicines.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

You are having trouble breathing.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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