Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that occurs when your skin comes into contact with something that irritates it or causes an allergic reaction. The condition can make the skin red, itchy, swollen, or even develop blisters. Common triggers include soaps, chemicals, plants like poison ivy, or certain metals like nickel. It is not contagious and usually goes away once the irritant is removed, but sometimes you may need creams or medicines to help it heal.
Contact dermatitis can be of different types, depending on what causes the reaction. The main types are discussed below, each with its own triggers and symptoms.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis: It is the most common form of contact dermatitis caused by agents that directly damage the skin's outer layer. The most common irritants are soaps, detergents, industrial solvents, acids, alkalis, plants, and cosmetics.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD): It is an irritation of the skin caused by substances like metals, cosmetics fragrances and preservatives, rubber, certain plants, and medications like topical antibiotics, that may happen after repeated exposure.
Phototoxic Dermatitis: This involves the response of the skin both to sunshine and an irritant simultaneously.
Photoallergic Contact Dermatitis: It is an allergic response after the allergen is activated by the sunlight.
Contact dermatitis may result from exposure to a variety of substances that produce skin irritation or an allergic reaction. The main causes are as follows:
Detergents and soaps: The use of potent cleaning agents that can strip the skin of its natural oils may cause Contact Dermatitis.
Chemicals: If the skin comes under contact with certain chemicals such as solvents, alkalis, and acids which are used within the household and industrial products may cause Contact Dermatitis.
Metals: The prolonged exposure to metals like chromium and nickel is one of the reasons for having Contact Dermatitis.
Plants: It involves contact with certain plants, such as sumac, poison oak, or poison ivy.
Medications: The use of Antihistamines or topical antibiotics may sometimes cause irritation and inflammation to the skin.
Latex: Certain items such as gloves, balloons, and other medical pieces of equipment that are made of latex may cause skin damage and lead to Contact Dermatitis.
Contact Dermatitis may show various kinds of symptoms that are mild or serious, depending on the intensity of the condition. Some of the common symptoms of Contact Dermatitis are mentioned below:
It is characterised by a red, flamed rash that often covers the affected area.
One of the primary symptoms of Contact Dermatitis is excessive itching that worsens with scratching.
During Contact Dermatitis the skin becomes dry, cracked, and scaly, especially if exposed to allergens or irritants for a long period.
The presence of the offending agent with the skin, can cause burning or stinging sensations.
Prolonged exposure and scratching may result in lichenification which means that the skin becomes thick usually like leather.
Certain small blisters may form that are filled with fluid which may leak and later scab over.
The area affected might swell up and be sensitive to the touch.
Jiva Ayurveda provides a scientific evidence-based treatment for Contact Dermatitis. The treatment programs are designed to cure the disease from the root and not just the symptoms and would be concerned with stability, balance, and the kind of holistic healing.
Ayurvedic Medicine with HACCP Certification: These are scientifically formulated mixtures that include active ingredients which will help in emotional balance and promote healing of the individual on their own.
Mindfulness practice, as well as yoga and meditation: Certain soft approaches are used to achieve general wellness along with mental health.
Ayurvedic treatments: These include Panchakarma massages and other therapy massages that will help in promoting emotional well-being and detoxification.
Diet and Lifestyle Counseling: Making dietary and behavioural changes will help in improving health as recommended by the specialists at Jiva Ayunique.
The problems associated with Contact Dermatitis can be effectively treated by the usage of HACCP-certified ayurvedic medicines from Jiva Ayurveda. The following plants are commonly used for the formulation of Ayurvedic medicines:
Turmeric (Curcuma longa): This spice is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties due to the presence of an active compound Curcumin. It helps in alleviating the symptoms of Contact Dermatitis by reducing inflammation and redness. Apart from that, its antioxidant property helps in skin repair.
Neem (Azadirachta indica): It provides a soothing effect on the skin which helps reduce discomfort and irritation. Apart from that neem is rich in antioxidants which prevent skin damage.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller): It has a moisturising effect which will provide hydration to the dry and irritated skin. It also shows anti-microbial properties and it helps in the prevention of infection during skin damage.
Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum): It has anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of compounds like eugenol. It helps in reducing the redness and swelling. The antioxidants present in it will promote skin healing. Its soothing effect provides relief from itching and discomfort.
Aragwadha (Cassia fistula): It also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It helps reduce inflammation and redness. It protects the skin from oxidative stress. Apart from that its antimicrobial activity prevents secondary infection where skin is damaged by Contact Dermatitis.
Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by an allergic immune response, with delayed onset and more intense symptoms. While irritant contact dermatitis is localized to the contact area and causes direct damage to the skin. It is important to understand the difference between them for proper treatment.
ICD 10 is the 10th revision done during the international classification of Diseases in which Allergic Contact Dermatitis was classified with L23, Irritant Contact Dermatitis with L24 code and unspecified Contact Dermatitis with L25 code.
A form of skin irritation that affects the lips is contact dermatitis, sometimes referred to as lip dermatitis or eczematous cheilitis. Either an allergic reaction or direct irritation from different things might cause it.
Atopic dermatitis is caused by genetic and environmental factors, while contact dermatitis is triggered by exposure to specific irritants or allergens. It is more widespread, chronic, and often starts in childhood, whereas contact dermatitis occurs at any age.
Contact dermatitis is due to an irritant or allergen, where onset is delayed and also yields dry, scaly skin whereas hives are raised welts that can appear almost anywhere and can sometimes last longer than they occur because hives are short-lived but can recur.
Contact dermatitis is a harmless condition but causes discomfort, damage to the skin, and potential infection. Itching and rash may impact quality of life, and if left untreated, can become chronic. Severe cases include infections, allergic reactions, and complications such as skin thickening and pigmentation changes.
Ayurvedic medicines for contact dermatitis include Neem, Manjishtha, Khadira, and Aloe Vera, which help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin. Herbal oils like Kumkumadi Tailam and creams with natural ingredients are also used for healing.
Ayurvedic medicines are usually safe, but they can sometimes cause side effects. These may include allergic reactions, skin irritation, interactions with other medicines, or issues if the medicines are not made properly and contain harmful substances like heavy metals. Some herbs might also cause problems if a person is allergic to them.
