Contact Dermatitis
A skin reaction triggered by a specific substance -- identifying and avoiding the trigger is the key to resolving it.
Book a Skin Allergy EvaluationNew reaction after a product, jewellery, or plant exposure?
A single reaction to an identifiable new exposure is common -- an evaluation helps confirm the likely trigger.
Recurring reactions without an obvious cause?
A more structured evaluation, including patch testing where appropriate, can help pin down what's actually responsible.
What Is It?
Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin reacts to direct contact with a specific substance — either through an allergic reaction (allergic contact dermatitis) or direct irritation (irritant contact dermatitis) — ranging from cosmetics and jewellery to plants, fragrances, and certain fabrics. The pattern and location of the reaction often provide a useful clue toward the likely category of trigger.
Resolving contact dermatitis long-term depends far more on identifying and avoiding the specific trigger than on ongoing treatment. Where the trigger isn’t obvious from history and examination alone, patch testing offers a more systematic way of confirming exactly what’s responsible.
Risk Factors
- New cosmetics, jewellery, fragrances, or skincare products
- Occupational exposures
- Certain fabrics or plants
Symptoms
- Redness, itching, and sometimes blistering at the site of contact
- Reaction pattern that often reflects where and how contact occurred
- Can appear as either an acute reaction or a more chronic, recurring pattern with repeated exposure
Treatment
- Topical Anti-Inflammatory Therapy: To settle the current reaction and reduce inflammation and itching.
- Patch Testing: A systematic test applying small amounts of common allergens to identify the exact trigger where it isn't obvious from history alone.
Our Specialists
Book a Skin Allergy Evaluation
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