Contact Dermatitis Symptoms

Telling allergic contact dermatitis apart from irritant contact dermatitis can be very difficult. Allergic dermatitis is usually confined to the area where the trigger actually touched the skin, whereas irritant dermatitis may be more widespread on the skin.

• A red rash is the usual reaction. It appears immediately in irritant contact dermatitis, but sometimes in allergic contact dermatitis the rash does not appear for 1-2 days after the exposure.

• Your skin may blister, or you may get a raised red rash, called hives, sometimes in a pattern that points to the offending agent.

• Your skin will itch and perhaps burn. Irritant contact dermatitis tends to be more painful than itchy.

• Irritant contact dermatitis often affects the hands, which have been exposed by resting in or dipping into a container (sink, pail, tub) containing the irritant.

• Once a reaction starts, it may take as long as 4 weeks to resolve completely.