Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Description and Symptoms

Allergic Contact Dermatitis occurs when the immune system overreacts to a substance in contact with the skin.

The reaction may appear within days, or can sometimes take years to develop through repeated exposure.

Symptoms include redness, swelling and blistering of the affected area, and this may result in scabs forming as the blistering subsides. In more severe cases, the skin can become cracked.

Who does it Affect?

Reactions can occur after exposure to substances such as perfume, sunscreens, poison ivy, cleaning products, nickel plated jewellery, pesticides and other chemicals.

Because of their exposure to a great number of chemicals hairdressers, caterers, cleaners, printers, horticulturists, builders, engineers and those connected with agriculture are at greater risk.

Sensitivity to latex gloves is also a problem for many health professionals.

There are estimated to be almost 3,000 chemicals known that can trigger allergic skin reactions. Even ingredients in topical drugs used to treat skin conditions have been found to be a major cause of allergic contact dermatitis.

Preservatives used in cosmetics are a major cause of allergic contact dermatitis.

Those most likely to develop adverse reactions are quaternium-15, isothiazolinones and those which release formaldehyde, such as imidazolidinyl urea (Germall 115).

People can also develop reactions to topical cortisone (steroid based) treatments.

Modern Medicine

Steroid based drugs will alleviate and clear the condition and topical steroid based creams or lotions are applied once blistering has subsided. Antihistamines will reduce the itching symptoms, but won't actually suppress the allergic reaction itself.

Long term use of oral steroids is not recommended because they can cause thinning of the skin, stunted growth in children and weakening of the bones. (see research links).

Natural Alternatives

Use a cold processed soap, free from artificial fragrances and preservatives. Cold processed soaps are glycerin rich and less likely to dry out the skin.

Avoid skincare products containing artificial fragrance and preservatives.

Avoid using moisturisers containing petrochemicals such as mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin and propylene glycol.

Check the ingredients listing on all skincare products and avoid those that are known to be problematic.

Avoid using detergent based shampoo, which can irritate the scalp.

See also relevant sections in our links pages.