Patient complains of irritation on the skin initially which turns into eruptions resembling vesicles with a lot of itching. Irritability of the skin, dryness, cracking and redness, increasing slowly until an eczematous breakdown occurs. Irregular acute relapses indicate allergic reactions. It is a case of CONTACT DERMATITIS.
Strong acids or alkalis cause primary irritation of every skin, and are therefore relatively easy to recognize, but chemicals vary in their sensitizing potentiality and people vary in their susceptibility. A detailed history is necessary to identify the responsible substance. This variety of dermatitis may arise from primary chemical irritation or a type IV hypersensivity reaction.
Most simple chemical substances can cause contact dermatitis, but some do so more frequently than others, including friction from tight clothing or footwear, degreasing from frequent use of detergents, and keratin damage from dehydration from prolonged immersion of hands in water. Substances that are initially touched or handled by hands invariably eventually get transferred to the face and external genitals where they may cause contact dermatitis.
Symptoms
The rash typically appears minutes to hours after exposure and can last two to four weeks. Contact dermatitis typically affects the parts of the body that have been in direct contact with the substance that causes the reaction.
Contact dermatitis can show several signs and symptoms, such as:
- A red rash
- A potentially intense itching
- Dry, cracked, scaly skin
- Bumpy skin with blisters that occasionally ooze and crust
- Swelling, burning or tenderness
Causes
Some of these substances may cause both allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is brought on by a substance that may be one of the thousands of allergens and irritants that are known to exist.
Irritant contact dermatitisThis type of non-allergic skin reaction, which is the most typical, happens when something harms the skin’s outer covering.
Strong irritants can cause reactions in some people after just one exposure, while mild irritants can cause symptoms in others after multiple exposures, and some people can build up a tolerance to a substance over time.
Common irritants include:
- Solvents
- Rubbing alcohol
- Bleach and detergents
- Shampoos, permanent wave solutions
- substances that are in the air, like sawdust or wool dust
- Plants
- Fertilizers and pesticides
Allergic contact dermatitisoccurs when a substance to which we’re sensitive (allergen) sets off an immune response in our skin, usually only affecting the area that came into contact with the allergen, but it may also be set off by something that enters our body through foods, flavorings, medications, or medical or dental procedures (systemic contact dermatitis).
Common allergens include:
- Nickel is a metal that is used in many products, including buckles and jewelry.
- Medications like oral antihistamines and creams with antibiotics
- There are numerous products that contain balsam of Peru, including flavorings, mouthwash, and cosmetics.
- Clothing, disinfectants, and preservatives all contain the chemical formaldehyde.
- Deodorants, body washes, hair dyes, cosmetics, and nail polish are examples of personal care items.
- plants that contain the allergen urushiol, found in mango and poison ivy,
- Insecticides that are sprayed in the air, like ragweed pollen,
- Some sunscreens and oral medications are among the items that can make you react to the sun (photoallergic contact dermatitis).
In addition to the usual offenders, diapers, baby wipes, sunscreens, clothing with snaps or dyes, and other items can expose children to the condition.
Risk factors
- Dental and medical personnel
- Metalworkers
- Construction workers
- Hairdressers and cosmetologists
- Auto mechanics
- due to the rubber in their goggles or face masks, scuba divers or swimmers
- Cleaners
- Gardeners and agricultural workers
- all food-related professionals, including chefs
Complications
If the affected area is repeatedly scratched, making it wet and oozing, this can encourage the growth of bacteria or fungi, which may result in an infection from contact dermatitis.
Prevention
Following are some common prevention measures:
- Avoid irritants and allergens.Try to recognize and stay away from things that make your skin itchy or make you allergic.
- Wash your skin.Wash any clothing or other items that may have come in contact with a plant allergen, such as poison ivy, using a mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water, and then thoroughly rinse off the skin.
- Wear protective clothing or gloves.To protect against irritating substances, such as household cleaners, face masks, goggles, gloves, and other protective gear are recommended.
- Use moisturizer.The skin’s outer layer can be restored and kept supple by frequently using moisturizing lotions.
- Take care around pets.Plant-based allergens, like poison ivy, can stick to animals and then be transferred to humans.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT:
Once the contact substance has been identified, it will be necessary to avoid it for a while and treat the condition similarly to how dermatitis is treated by reintroducing it gradually to see if the condition has improved.
Skin typically returns to normal if further exposure is avoided, but sensitization to the offending substance may last a lifetime if these substances cannot be identified. Usually, a patch test is performed; however, you must be careful not to do this during the acute phase.
The same treatments apply as they did in the dermatitis case.
Homoeopathic Medicine:
Sepia –It is especially beneficial for persistent eczema with extremely dry skin that affects the genitals, nose, chin, and behind the ears.
The Natrum Muriaticum personality type is inherently emotional, feeling-oriented, and sensitive. Eczema that worsens at the beach manifests in the joints, genitals, and around the hair and mouth.
Lycopodium –is employed in cases of bleeding, moist, discharge-producing eczema that affects the scalp, armpits, limbs, back, and neck, as well as eczema that is accompanied by liver complaints.
Cicuta virosa -Itis used to treat eczema to remove hard, thick, lilac-colored crust from the scalp, cheeks, and chin.
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