What is Contact Dermatitis? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment in the North East

If you develop a red, itchy, and sometimes painful rash after touching a certain substance, you may have Contact Dermatitis. This is a common form of eczema, and while it can be uncomfortable, the teams at Riverview HC and Esh Winning pharmacies near Sunderland, Gateshead and Newcastle are here to help you treat it.

Understanding Contact Dermatitis

What is Contact Dermatitis? It is a skin reaction that happens when your skin comes into contact with a trigger substance. It is not contagious and comes in two types:

1. Irritant Contact Dermatitis: Caused by substances directly damaging the skin's barrier, such as frequent use of soaps, detergents, or cleaning chemicals.

2. Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Caused by an immune reaction to a substance (an allergen) like nickel (in jewellery), fragrances, or preservatives in toiletries.

Symptoms typically include an itchy skin rash, redness, and potentially blisters or dry, cracked skin, occurring only on the area that touched the trigger.

Effective Treatment and Relief

The fastest way to treat the condition is to identify and strictly avoid the substance causing the reaction. For managing the symptoms, your local Riverview HC and Esh Winning Pharmacies offers key treatments:

1. Emollients (Moisturisers): These are essential for repairing the damaged skin barrier and reducing dryness. We can recommend a range of unperfumed emollients and soap substitutes.

2. Topical Steroid Creams: A mild steroid cream, such as hydrocortisone, can quickly calm inflammation and intense itching. Our pharmacists can advise on and supply over-the-counter options for suitable cases, and potentially supply higher strength steroids if required. 

Get Local Expert Advice:

Whether you’re dealing with persistent eczema, or have developed an acute painful rash, visit your trusted local Riverview HC or Esh Winning Pharmacy. We provide the advice and contact dermatitis treatment you need to soothe your skin, as well as the right strategies to look after your skin in the long term.