We must first determine what is causing your inflammation and whether it is an allergen or irritant in order to effectively treat dermatitis. An irritant denotes a one-time exposure, such as use of a specific detergent or soap, or an unreliable skin care or cosmetic item, even your deodorant. Any of these substances has the potential to strip your skin of its natural oils and protective layers, causing it to dry out too much and eventually become inflamed. Removing the irritant from your possession is typically the first step in treating irritants. Allergens require a slightly different approach to care because the dermatitis they cause is typically brought on by repeated exposure to a particular substance, such as poison ivy or poison oak, or other chemicals or metals, even those found in some jewelry. While it is possible to develop new allergies well into adulthood, once your skin has become allergic to something, you will always be allergic to it.
It is crucial to keep in mind that prolonged scratching does not help when dealing with dermatitis brought on by an irritant or allergen because both conditions frequently accompany intense itching. In fact, persistent scratching can occasionally cause a condition in which a scratched area of skin develops a thick, leathery texture. The patches may be rough, red, or darker than the surrounding skin. A bacterial skin infection, scarring that is permanent, and skin color changes can all result from frequent scratching.
Patients with contact dermatitis may choose from a variety of treatments . To determine the precise agent that causes your contact dermatitis, a common diagnostic technique is patch testing. We are able to make product recommendations based on the specific allergies a you are found to have.