Irritant contact dermatitis is a condition that occurs when the skin is damaged faster than it is capable to repair. This damage is perpetrated by chemicals or physical agents it shows redness, itching, swelling, scaling, and blistering on certain areas.
Irritant contact dermatitis can look very similar to other types of dermatitis, a doctor may need the help of biopsy to determine what kind of dermatitis you present. This condition will also vary in strength in different cases, depending on the strength and amount of the irritant, the exposure to substances, the sensitivity of the skin, and other environmental factors.
About Irritants
The triggers for this dermatitis type vary; they can be a common thing such as water, adhesives, acids, solvents, and even friction. Don’t think they only work alone, at times a combination of these are needed to trigger contact dermatitis. These substances remove the oil and moisture on the skin, and this situation helps the irritants cause even more damage.
Everyone can be affected by irritant contact dermatitis, especially if you are over-exposed to irritants, however, the people who are at more risk of developing this condition, are the sufferers of atopic dermatitis.
Another type of dermatitis that can be easily mistaken for irritant contact dermatitis is allergic contact dermatitis. The difference is that the latter is triggered by an allergen that even in small quantities can cause damage.
How to Treat Irritant Contact Dermatitis
To treat this type of dermatitis, you have to recognize the irritants in your life, and if possible try to stay away from them, or reduce exposure. A doctor may indicate the use of creams including topical steroids, emollient creams, and antibiotics in case the skin gets infected.
In case of a chemical burn, you may need water to flush away the chemicals and use a remedy for that type of chemical.