Allergic dermatitis is caused by skin contact with an irritating substance, such as soaps, cosmetic products, jewelry or even flea bites, causing the appearance of red and itchy spots in the area that was in contact with the substance.
Allergic dermatitis, also called allergic contact dermatitis, does not cause health problems or put life at risk, however, it can be very uncomfortable or cause skin infections if not treated properly.
The treatment of allergic dermatitis must be carried out under the guidance of a dermatologist, who may recommend the use of corticosteroid ointments or oral anti-allergens, in addition to avoiding contact with the substance to which one is allergic and, therefore, it may be necessary to carry out a skin test. allergy, in order to identify the substance that is causing the dermatitis.
Symptoms of allergic dermatitis
The symptoms of allergic dermatitis are:
- Red or white blisters, with liquid, on the skin;
- Intense itching;
- Local redness and swelling;
- Dark spots on the skin;
- Burning or stinging sensation;
- Dry or flaking skin;
- Increased sensitivity on site;
- Formation of small crusts on the skin.
These symptoms may appear shortly after contact with the substance or take 24 to 72 hours to appear, depending on the intensity of the allergy, the immune system and the time of contact with the substance.
Atopic dermatitis can affect any part of the body that has had contact with the irritating substance, such as the scalp, face, eyelids, neck, armpits, trunk, hands and feet, for example, and occur isolated or frequently, especially in people who have are prone to allergies.
Generally, these symptoms improve in 2 to 4 weeks, however, if they do not improve in about 3 weeks, or affect the eyes, genitals, mouth or lips, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist so that the most appropriate treatment can be carried out.
Online symptom test
If you want to know if you have dermatitis, please select the symptoms you present:
This test is a tool that serves as a means of guidance only. Therefore, it is not intended to provide a diagnosis or replace consultation with a dermatologist or general practitioner.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of allergic dermatitis is made by a dermatologist through the evaluation of symptoms, health history and contact with substances, in addition to a physical examination of the skin and blood tests.
To confirm your risk of atopic dermatitis, make an appointment with the dermatologist closest to you:
To identify the type of substance that may have caused the allergy, the doctor must request an allergy test, which is carried out in the doctor’s office by applying different substances to the skin, to check for the appearance of symptoms. See how the allergy test is done.
Possible causes
The most common causes of allergic dermatitis are contact with:
- Nickel, present in jewelry or belt buckles;
- Hair dyes, containing paraphenylenediamine (PPD);
- Cosmetic products or sunscreen;
- Perfumes, toothpastes or mouthwashes that contain turkey balsam;
- Formalin;
- Liquid soaps;
- Latex, in gloves or condoms;
- Ambrosia pollen;
- Flea bite;
- Use of antibiotic creams containing neomycin or bacitracin;
- Use of benzocaine ointment to treat lichen sclerosus.
Furthermore, another common cause of allergic dermatitis is contact with the poison ivy plant, which has urushiol in its composition, a highly irritating and allergenic substance.
What is the treatment like?
Treatment for allergic dermatitis must be guided by a dermatologist, and it is normally recommended to avoid contact with the substance that is causing the allergy, in order to alleviate symptoms and prevent the dermatitis from recurring.
In addition, the doctor may recommend the use of moisturizing creams to hydrate and maintain skin moisture, relieve dryness, the sensation of rough skin, itching or skin irritation, or the use of corticosteroid ointments, such as clobetasol propionate. or triamcinolone, to reduce skin inflammation and relieve symptoms.
In more serious cases, the doctor may also recommend the use of oral antiallergic drugs, such as hydroxyzine, or oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone or prednisolone.
The length of treatment with medicines or ointments should always be advised by your doctor.
Care during treatment
Some precautions are important during the treatment of allergic dermatitis, such as:
- Avoid contact with the substance or object that caused the skin allergy;
- Apply cold compresses 2 to 4 times a day, for about 15 to 30 minutes each time;
- Avoid scratching the location of the affected skin;
- Use neutral soap to avoid skin irritation;
- Avoid using perfume or scented lotions on the skin;
- Increase your intake of anti-inflammatory foods, like chia seeds, for example, can help reduce inflammation of the skin. See a complete list of foods for dermatitis;
- Apply moisturizers recommended by the doctor.
In addition, there are some home remedy options that can help alleviate the symptoms of allergic dermatitis or complement the treatment recommended by your doctor, such as creams or lotions with a calming effect on the skin, such as chamomile or lavender, for example. See other home remedy options for dermatitis.
