Causes & Symptoms:

Irritant Contact Dermatitis (ICD) is the most common form of contact dermatitis with approximately 3 out 4 cases being caused by an irritant reaction to soaps, detergent, solvents, adhesives, fiberglass, and other chemicals which come into contact with the skin. The longer or more repeated contact with these chemicals, the higher the chance for ICD as well as increased severity for the condition.

The hands are the most vulnerable area for ICD as they frequently come into contact with ICD causing chemicals.

Common symptoms of irritant contact dermatitis include: redness, itching, crusting, swelling, blistering, oozing, dryness, scaliness, thickening of the skin, and a feeling of warmth at the site of contact. In extreme cases, severe blistering can occur and open sores can form.(1)

The hands are the most vulnerable area for ICD as they frequently come into contact with ICD causing chemicals. Common symptoms of irritant contact dermatitis include: redness, itching, crusting, swelling, blistering, oozing, dryness, scaliness, thickening of the skin, and a feeling of warmth at the site of contact. In extreme cases, severe blistering can occur and open sores can form.(1)

Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) occurs when the skin is exposed or comes into contact with a substance (allergen) that the individual is allergic and who's immune system triggers a response which inflames the skin. (2) There are more than 10,000 allergy causing substances (allergen) ranging from poison ivy, pesticides, cosmetics, to nickel and perfume. Less than 3 dozen different types of allergens are the main culprits behind most cases of ACD.

Symptoms stemming from ACD are similar to ICD including: redness, itching, inflammation, tenderness, localized swelling, and in severe cases, a lesion or rash leading to papules, blistering, oozing, crusting, scaling, rawness and thick.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis of contact dermatitis involves a physical examination of the infected area as well as well as questions by the doctor which may lead him or her to conclude the most likely susbtance as the cause of contact dermatitis. In cases of allergic contact dermatitis, the patch test is nearly always used.