ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS

Allergic Dermatitis Treatment In Jumeirah, Dubai

Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. It is caused by an irritant or an allergen that comes in contact with the skin and makes it extra sensitive.Contact dermatitis is more common in women, with approximately 1 in 5 females experiencing it on their hands at some point during their lives. This may be because women are exposed to more of the irritants that can cause contact dermatitis. The condition can, however, develop at any age and can affect anybody.

Causes Of Allergic Dermatitis

Contact with an irritant or allergen can cause the skin to become red, itchy and scaly, sometimes accompanied by a burning and stinging sensation. As a result, the skin becomes blistered, dry and cracked. It can affect any part of the body but most commonly affects the hands. Individuals with allergic contact dermatitis typically develop the condition within a few days of exposure, in areas that were exposed directly to the allergen. Certain allergens (eg, the antibiotic neomycin), however, penetrate intact skin poorly; in such cases, the onset of dermatitis may be delayed for up to a week following exposure.

Common allergens include:

• Adhesives, including those used for false eyelashes or toupées
• Antibiotics such as neomycin rubbed on the surface of the skin
• Balsam of Peru (used in many personal products and cosmetics, as well as in many foods and drinks)
• Fabrics and clothing
• Fragrances in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, and moisturisers
• Nail polish, hair dyes, and permanent wave solutions
• Nickel or other metals (found in jewellery, watch straps, metal zips, bra hooks, buttons, pocketknives, lipstick holders, and powder compacts)
• Poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and other plants
• Rubber or latex gloves or shoes

What Our Clinic Can Do For You

Our dermatologist will examine and perform tests to diagnose you and to find out which allergen or irritant is affecting your skin. These tests include:

• Potassium hydroxide preparation and/or fungal culture – this is to rule out tinea (also known as ringworm, a fungal infection), often indicated for dermatitis of the hands and feet
• Patch testing – to identify which external chemicals are causing the allergic reaction
• Repeat open application test (ROAT) – this determines whether a reaction is significant in individuals who develop weak or 1+ positive reactions to a chemical
• Dimethylgloxime test – this determines whether a metallic object contains enough nickel to provoke allergic dermatitis
• Skin biopsy – this may help to exclude other disorders, particularly tinea, psoriasis, and cutaneous lymphoma

After the dermatologist identifies the causative agent, he or she will advise the patient to avoid the allergen or irritants and will prescribe an allergic dermatitis treatment to improve the symptoms.
Topical treatment – involves using emollients or moisturisers to soothe the skin and reduce the loss of water from the skin. Topical corticosteroids are sometimes prescribed
Phototherapy – is administered to individuals with chronic allergic contact dermatitis that is not controlled well by topical corticosteroids; these patients may benefit from treatment with a combination of psoralen (a photosensitiser) and ultraviolet-A (PUVA)

The Future

With allergic dermatitis treatment, most people with contact dermatitis can expect their symptoms to improve, with it clearing up completely in around two out of five people. However, some people may experience complications of contact dermatitis such as an infection or severe symptoms that affect their quality of life.

SHAMMA Clinic in Jumeirah, Dubai provides specialist allergic dermatitis treatment in Dubai, Contact us now.