Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with chemicals or allergens. It can be either allergic, resulting from sensitization to a substance, or irritant, caused by direct skin damage from chemicals or physical agents. Diagnosis involves identifying the triggering substance through patch testing and treating the inflammation with topical corticosteroids and avoidance of the allergen or irritant. Proper skin care and patient education on preventing further irritation are also important aspects of management.

1. CONTACT DERMATITIS
Dr. Hayat AL AKOUM

2. CONTACT DERMATITIS
 Contact dermatitis, a type IV delayed
hypersensitivity reaction, is an acute or chronic skin
inflammation that results from direct skin
contact with chemicals or allergens.
 Often sharply demarcated inflammation and
irritation of the skin caused by contact to
substances by which the skin is sensitive.

3. TYPES, TESTING, AND TREATMENT OF
CONTACT DERMATITIS
Type Etiology Clinical
presentation
Diagnostic
testing
Treatment
Allergic Results from
contact of skin
and allergenic
substance.
Has a
sensitization
period of 10–
14 days.
Vasodilation and
perivascular
infiltrates on the
dermis
Intracellular
edema
Usually seen on
dorsal
aspects of hand
Patch testing
(contraindicated
in acute,
widespread
dermatitis)
• Avoidance of
offending material
Burow’s solution or
cool water
compress
• Systemic
corticosteroids
• (prednisone) for 7–
10 days Topical
corticosteroids for
mild cases
• Oral antihistamines
to relieve pruritus

4. TYPES, TESTING, AND TREATMENT OF
CONTACT DERMATITIS
Type Etiology Clinical
presentation
Diagnostic
testing
Treatment
Irritant Results from
contact with a
substance that
chemically
or physically
damages the
skin on a
nonimmunolo
gic basis.
Occurs after
first exposure
to irritant
or repeated
exposures to
milder irritants
over an
Dryness lasting
days to months
Vesiculation,
fissures, cracks
Hands and lower
arms
most common
areas
Clinical picture
Appropriate
negative patch
tests
• Identification and
removal of source
of irritation
• Application of
hydrophilic cream
or petrolatum to
soothe and protect
• Topical
corticosteroids and
compresses for
weeping lesions
• Antibiotics for
infection and oral
antihistamines for
pruritus

5. TYPES, TESTING, AND TREATMENT OF
CONTACT DERMATITIS
Type Etiology Clinical
presentation
Diagnostic
testing
Treatment
Phototoxic Resembles
the irritant
type but
requires sun
and a
chemical in
combination
to damage
the
epidermis.
Similar to
irritant
dermatitis
Photopatch test Same as for allergic
and irritant
dermatitis

6. TYPES, TESTING, AND TREATMENT OF
CONTACT DERMATITIS
Type Etiology Clinical
presentation
Diagnostic
testing
Treatment
Photoallergic Resembles
allergic dermatitis
but requires light
exposure in
addition to
allergen contact to
produce
immunologic
reactivity.
Similar to
allergic
dermatitis
Photopatch
test
Same as for
allergic and irritant
dermatitis

7. CAUSES
 Water. You may be surprised, but water can aggravate
contact dermatitis, through frequent hand washing and
prolonged contact with water.
 Soaps. All kinds of soaps, detergents, shampoos and
other cleaning agents have harmful substances that
could possibly irritate the skin.
 Solvents. Solvents such as turpentine, kerosene, fuel,
and thinners are strong substances that are harmful to
the sensitive skin.
 Extremes of temperature. There are people who are
really sensitive even when exposed to extremes of
temperature and could cause contact dermatitis.

8. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
Usually, there are no systemic symptoms unless the
eruption is widespread.
 Itching. Once the patient is exposed to an irritating
substance, severe itching would occur.
 Erythema. The skin turns red as a result of the irritation.
 Skin lesions. Vesicles are a common manifestation of
contact dermatitis.
 Weeping. Weeping refers to the oozing of the contents
of the vesicles, which can be pus or a watery substance.
 Crusting. The vesicles start to form a crust as it slowly
becomes dry.
 Drying. The skin finally becomes dry and peels off.

9. COMPLICATIONS
Contact dermatitis could lead to the following
complications:
 Chronic itchy, scaly skin: A skin condition
called neurodermatitis starts with a patch of itchy
skin, which, when scratched habitually, may result
in a thick,leathery, and discolored skin.
 Infection: If a rash is scratched habitually, it may
turn into an open wound wherein bacteria could
enter and cause infection.

10. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
The most important step in the medical management
of dermatitis is to recognize the causative factor so
that it could be avoided.
 Avoiding the irritant: The key is to identify the
substance that causes the rash so that it could be
avoided.
 Phototherapy: There are patients that need light
therapy to calm their immune system, and the
method is called phototherapy.
 Medicated baths: Medicated baths are prescribed
for larger areas of dermatitis.

11. PHARMACOLOGIC THERAPY
Drug therapy for contact dermatitis usually consists of
lotion, creams, and oral medications.
 Hydrocortisone,:a corticosteroid, may be
prescribed to combat inflammation in a localized
area.
 Antihistamines: Prescription antihistamines may
be given if non-prescription strength is inadequate.
 Barrier cream: These products can provide a
protective layer for the skin.
 Antibiotics: Topical or oral antibiotics may be used
to treat secondary infection.

12. NURSING ASSESSMENT
Skin assessment should be the focus in a patient with
contact dermatitis.
 Skin characteristics. Assess skin, noting color,
moisture, texture, and temperature.
 Lesions. Note erythema, edema, tenderness,
presence of erosions, excoriations, fissures, and
thickening.
 Appearance. Assess the patient’s perception of
and behavior related to changed appearance.

13. NURSING DIAGNOSIS
 Impaired skin integrity related to contact with
irritants or allergens.
 Disturbed body image related to visible skin
lesions.
 Risk for infection related to excoriations and
breaks in the skin.
 Risk for impaired skin integrity related to
frequent scratching and dry skin.

14. NURSING INTERVENTIONS
 Skin care: Encourage the patient to bathe in warm
water using a mild soap, then air dry the skin and
gently pat to dry.
 Topical application: Usual application of topical steroid
creams and ointments is twice a day, spread thinly and
sparingly.
 Phototherapy preparation: Prepare the patient for
phototherapy, because this method uses ultraviolet A or
B light waves to promote healing of the skin.
 Acknowledge patient’s feelings: Allow patient to
verbalize feelings regarding their skin condition.
 Proper hygiene: Encourage the patient to keep the skin
clean, dry, and well lubricated to reduce skin trauma and
risk for infection.

15. PATIENT EDUCATION
 Avoid the irritant. Avoid allowing the reaction-
causing substance to touch the skin
 Anti-itch creams. Apply anti-itch creams
or calamine lotion to the affected area.
 Cold application. Moisten soft cloths and hold
them against the rash to soothe the skin for 15 to
30 minutes.
 Avoid fragrance-containing substances. Choose
soaps, powders, and other personal products that
are fragrance-free, as it could irritate the affected
area.