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Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction that occurs after touching or being around certain substances. At Advanced Pediatrics, the top-rated group of eminent child care specialists offers contact dermatitis diagnosis and treatment in their Vienna, Virginia, office. If your child’s itchy rash is driving you both crazy, reach out for fast help by phone or through the online booking tool today.
Contact Dermatitis Q & A
What is contact dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is a skin rash that appears after contact with irritants or allergens. Many children experience contact dermatitis, and those who have atopic dermatitis (eczema) have a higher risk.
What causes contact dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis can happen because of skin irritation and inflammation or an allergic reaction. Some of the most common substances that may cause contact dermatitis in children are:
- Soaps
- Detergents
- Saliva
- Baby lotion
- Urine in diaper
- Plants like poison ivy
- Latex in balls, pacifiers, balloons, or rubber toys
- Cosmetics
- Topical medications, such as neomycin in antibiotic ointments
- Metals like nickel, chrome, and mercury
- Foods like eggs, flour, meat, or others
Symptoms usually appear within anywhere from a few minutes to several hours of the exposure to the irritant or allergen.
What are the symptoms of contact dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis symptoms can vary by child, but some of the most common features of the rash are:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Itchiness
- Discomfort
- Blisters
- Oozing
- Crusting
- Scaling
The size and severity of the rash can vary based on how much of your child’s skin came in contact with the substance and for how long.
Contact dermatitis can spread from one part of the body to another. For example, if your child has a poison ivy rash and scratches their leg, they can spread the rash to any other body part they touch.
How is contact dermatitis treated?
Your child may need skin or blood tests to narrow down the cause of their contact dermatitis. Then, Advanced Pediatrics recommends a treatment plan specific to your child’s needs.
Avoiding the trigger is the first and most important facet of treatment. If your child needs to be around the triggering substance, for example if they’re triggered by soaps, there are usually alternatives that can work just as well without causing a rash.
There are several ways to soothe rashes, such as wet dressings, corticosteroid ointments, or antihistamine medications.
Advanced Pediatrics gives you specific preventive recommendations to minimize your child’s bouts with contact dermatitis. In most cases, a combination of avoiding triggers and promptly treating itchy rashes provides effective relief.
If your child has an itchy and uncomfortable rash that keeps coming back, it could be contact dermatitis. To find out why it’s happening and help your child feel better fast, call Advanced Pediatrics or click the online scheduling feature now.