Allergic contact dermatitis is one of the most common allergic diseases that occur with skin lesions. The inflammatory process develops according to a delayed type of allergic reaction, that is, with sufficiently prolonged and regular contact with the allergen substance. Under the influence of this contact, an increased sensitivity to the allergen appears, which leads to sensitization of the body, in other words, the sensitivity of the body to the effects of irritants that cause an allergic reaction may increase.
The content of the article:
Causes of allergic contact dermatitis
Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis
Diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis
Treatment of allergic contact dermatitis
Prognosis of allergic contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis causes redness of the skin and tissues directly affected by the allergen. Subsequently, the patient complains of itching, papules and blisters appear. Treatment of the disease consists in eliminating contact with the object or substance that provoked the occurrence of allergies. To eliminate itching and swelling, it is necessary to use modern antihistamines and corticosteroid ointments.
Causes of allergic contact dermatitis
Various factors can provoke the development of contact allergic dermatitis. The first reason is the modern chemical industry with the production of a huge number of chemicals that can cause various kinds of allergic reactions, including contact allergic dermatitis. These can be paints, varnishes, various household chemicals, some components of cosmetics and perfumes. Synthetic materials used for the manufacture of clothing and paints can be distinguished. If a person in the workplace often comes into contact with chemicals, then he is susceptible to the disease of occupational dermatitis.
Also, one of the main causes of allergic contact dermatitis is taking medications.
Plants can also provoke the occurrence of this unpleasant disease: white ash, hogweed, primrose and others. In such cases, they talk about phytodermatitis.
The allergen acts directly on the skin, but the disease process provokes allergic changes that affect the entire body. After the allergen interacts with human skin, the first symptoms of contact allergic dermatitis begin to manifest after two weeks. Sensitization of the body and an allergic reaction may appear earlier, it all depends on the strength of the allergen’s effect on the body, which may be weakened as a result:
immune disorders in chronic inflammatory processes;
predispositions to allergic reactions;
thinning of the stratum corneum of the skin, etc.
Allergic contact dermatitis with excessive sweating can often be provoked by wearing clothes made of dyed fabrics. It is also possible to identify internal factors contributing to the disease: a serious malfunction in the functioning of the endocrine system, a violation in the process of metabolism or vitamin deficiency.
Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis
Depending on the course of the disease itself, acute and chronic dermatitis are isolated, which is determined by the frequency of contacts with the allergen. In acute allergic contact dermatitis, the place of contact of the allergen with the skin causes skin changes. Sometimes these changes can go beyond the contact. Another feature is the presence of clear boundaries of the lesion. The first symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis of the acute type are redness of the skin and swelling of tissues. After a while, papules appear, filling with liquid quite quickly. Then they are reborn into bubbles. After healing, crusts form on them, causing severe itching. This process ends with peeling.
The chronic form of allergic contact dermatitis develops against the background of continued exposure to the allergen with an allergic reaction that has already occurred. This type of disease is characterized by the spread of inflammatory changes to areas of the skin with which the allergen does not come into contact.
As for the lesions on the skin, they have blurred boundaries. Generalization of the process is observed with strong sensitization of the body. The skin is covered with formations, papules and seals appear on the surface. It becomes dry, the skin pattern changes (lichenization). Constant itching provokes the appearance of secondary damage to the skin, as its combing (excoriation) is observed.
Diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis
This allergic disease is easily diagnosed by its characteristic symptoms. Thanks to skin tests, it is possible to determine the exact cause of the development of allergic contact dermatitis. Special test strips with allergens applied to them are used for research. The skin is pre-cleaned, after which the strips are glued. An allergic reaction is determined by the appearance of puffiness and redness at the place of gluing. Doctors diagnose and prescribe a course of treatment for allergic dermatitis for each specific case.
For the differential diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis and the detection of concomitant diseases, the following additional examinations are carried out:
biochemical and clinical analysis of blood and urine;
analysis of feces for dysbiosis;
blood sugar test.
If necessary, the thyroid gland function is examined and the gastrointestinal tract is examined.
Treatment of allergic contact dermatitis
In order for the treatment of allergic contact dermatitis to be successful, it is necessary to completely eliminate the allergen that caused the disease. If you are allergic to household chemicals, it is recommended to use protective gloves. In case of allergy to synthetic materials, when buying clothes, it is necessary to carefully study the fabric, its composition, it is recommended to wear only cotton underwear. If you are allergic to metal and metal parts (buttons, zippers, buttons and hooks), it is necessary to avoid their contact with the skin.
The use of corticosteroid ointments is effective in the treatment of allergic contact dermatitis: lokoid, advantan, elokom, etc. If large bubbles appear, they need to be pierced. To relieve swelling and itching, modern antihistamines are prescribed: claritin, zirtek, erius, zodak, cetrin, etc.
Prognosis of allergic contact dermatitis
Recovery occurs with the complete exclusion of the patient’s contact with the allergen. True, repeated manifestations of allergies are difficult to avoid if a person’s professional activity is associated with the use and use of certain substances that cause an allergic reaction. In such situations, allergic contact dermatitis continues to develop, generalization of the process occurs, sensitization of the body increases, and clinical manifestations take over the entire body.
