Contact dermatitis is a reaction that your skin has to some external substance. The rash may not appear immediately after you are exposed. It may take hours or even days for the rash to show, and it may not always appear in the places that came in direct contact with the allergen or irritant.
Symptoms
The symptoms of contact dermatitis include:
- Blistered skin
- Crusted skin
- Dry and scaly skin
- Red or pink rash
- Swelling
- Thickened skin
Causes
Many substances, irritants and allergens can cause contact dermatitis.
Common household products that may cause a reaction include:
- Cleaning products
- Cologne or perfume
- Detergent
- Makeup
- Shampoo
- Soap
Irritation may also be caused by chemicals or metals in your workplace, and environmental products and foods you are exposed to frequently. In some cases you may develop sensitivity to something you have used for many years without a problem. One reason this may happen is because the manufacturer changed ingredients.
Contact dermatitis is not contagious. You cannot give your rash to someone else and you cannot get a contact dermatitis rash from another person.