What is contact dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that both allergic and irritant nature can be. For irritant contact dermatitis see ortho Ergisch eczema. Eczema is an inflammation of the skin. They are accompanied by redness and itching. When a contact dermatitis (also called contact dermatitis), the ignition is triggered by an external substance that activates the immune system in the skin. Contact dermatitis is often caused by irritation than by contact allergy.
Arise
The immune system comes into contact with a certain substance (the allergen), and against this sometimes develops a reaction. This process is called allergic sensitization. When repeated contact sensitized immune system then responds with an inflammatory response. People can sometimes many years to come into contact with a specific substance, and then suddenly develop a contact allergy. Some people have more predisposition. Some substances are also stronger sensitizing than others. When the skin is not intact at all (for example, by gaps in the hands) the risk of sensitization is larger.
Ortho-Ergisch eczema can occur in anyone without prior sensitization; it is caused by prolonged work with hands in water and aggressive substances, such as soaps and detergents.
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Contact dermatitis usually looks like "just" eczema: red, itchy, slightly raised skin.
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| Contact dermatitis pictures |
Allergens
Numerous substances can cause contact allergy. For a number of substances, this happens more often than others. Common allergens include:
- Metal
-Chromium: regular contact with cement. Some cheap leathers are tanned with chromium salts.
- Fragrances and flavorings can cause perfume allergy and food allergy.
- Preservatives to make products more sustainable.
- Drugs (ointments, creams) and especially often against preservatives and fragrances in it.
- Phenylenediamine (PPD) is widely used in black hair dye and tattoos.
- A special case is versus rubber latex. People can get an allergic contact dermatitis by aids in rubber preparation such as carbamates or thiuramaten. People can also allergic to latex. This has no eczema-reaction effect but urticaria, angioedema and / or anaphylaxis. Latex allergy is in fact a type 1 allergy (acute) reaction to the proteins in natural rubber, and can be determined by prick tests.
Many contact allergies occur in the context of an action:
- Chrome with masons and floor mats.
- Components of hair dye, perm liquids and shampoo at hairdressing.
- The coolant of the machines in the machining metals.
- Cut flowers (often composites) from growers.
- Acrylaatallergie to nail stylists.
Diagnostics
- Important clues come from the story of the patient (history).
Localization
Contact Eczema almost always starts at the place where the skin comes into contact with the allergen. With nickel allergy for example the location of the buckle, the earrings or the watchband.
- Time Course
However, the allergic skin reaction is visible only hours after contact visible. Classical symptoms 48 hours after contact up.
- Paste Tasting: The diagnosis can proved by proofs. These are carried out by a dermatologist (skin doctor). The substances to be tested on small canvasses with plasters stuck on the back and two days later removed. On that day, and 1 or 2 days after the test is read. A test is positive if the allergen spot causes an eczema reaction.
Everyone is tested as routine with the European standard series. This series consists of those substances in Europe cause most allergic reactions. With suspected occupational cause, is also tested dilutions of substances used at work.
Contact dermatitis treatment
- However, the only truly effective treatment consists of the total cessation of contact with the allergen. This could mean that the victim of appeal must change.
- Corticosteroïdhoudende ointment or cream - however strong corticosteroids can cause damage to the skin during prolonged misused.
- Cream or ointment to keep the skin fat. It can be used without any objection as many times as one wishes.
- Phototherapy: treatment with ultraviolet light
- Corticosteroid tablets (prednisolone) are in extensive and severe eczema sometimes necessary.