Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Description and Symptoms

Irritant Contact Dermatitis, often referred to as "housewives' eczema" is caused by frequent contact with everyday substances such as detergents, soaps, bubble bath and body wash, and household and industrial chemicals, which can irritate the skin.

Symptoms can vary from mild redness and chafing, to blistering and ulceration, and most cases develop only after repeated exposure to mild irritants.

It appears most frequently on the hands and can be prevented by avoiding the irritants known to exacerbate the problem. Irritant contact dermatitis differs from allergic contact dermatitis in that the immune system is not the reacting factor.

Who does it Affect?

Most commonly affected are those whose jobs or everyday activities require frequent washing of hands, providing repeated exposure to detergents and other irritants.

People who work in the health industry, food industry and manual workers are most likely to be affected, as are mothers of young children.

Prolonged sweating under rubber gloves can cause and aggravate the condition.

Modern Medicine

Avoid the use of harsh soaps and detergents, and avoid known irritants wherever possible.

Some ingredients (such as propylene glycol) found in skincare products, may also irritate the skin.

Topical steroid based creams (corticosteroids) or lotions are often recommended by specialists, to relieve the redness, swelling and itching. These treatments can result in stinging and burning the skin and long term use can produce side effects such as stretch marks, thinning of the skin and irritation of healthy skin.

Bland topical steroid treatments are recommended over products containing propylene glycol, because although propylene glycol is rarely an allergen, it is frequently found to be an irritant.

Antihistamines can also be used to relieve itching and swelling, but they may cause drowsiness.

For more severe cases, oral cortisone drugs are used to relieve inflamed skin, but side effects can include a change in skin colour, upset stomach and interrupted sleep patterns. Long term use is not advised because it can result in weakening of the bones, or stunted growth in children.

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.

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