Contact Dermatitis in Washington, DC
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
The most common type of contact dermatitis is a reaction to poison ivy. If you take a walk in the woods, brush against a plant, and note the appearance of blisters on the skin two days later, the diagnosis of allergic contact reaction to poison ivy is obvious. However, reactions to poison ivy or poison oak may be atypical and may be very subtle.
There are many chemicals in our environment which can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Examples would be nickel, fragrances, preservatives, rubber, or latex products. The hallmark of allergic contact dermatitis is that only some people exposed to the allergen will develop a dermatitis. It is not universal. If a rash which appears to be allergic contact eczema appears, a careful history and physical may be all that is required to uncover the culprit; however, in some cases more extensive usage testing or patch testing may be needed.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
Some compounds cause eczema on exposure because they are irritating and/or drying. Examples of these would be harsh soaps, cleansers, or solvents. Unlike allergic contact reactions, which affect only a small proportion of those exposed, a true irritant dermatitis will affect anybody who has adequate exposure to the chemical.