Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a common skin disorder in childhood characterized by erythema, papules, vesicles, swelling, weeping, and itching
The common causes of contact dermatitis are the following:
A. Irritants – soaps, detergents, wool and formaldehyde
B. Plants – poison ivy, weeds, grasses, flowers, tomatoes, potatoes and evergreens
C. Nickel – hairpins, curlers, earrings, eyeglasses, pins, zippers, clasps, thimbles, coins, jewelry
D. Chromates – shoes and other leathers
E. Mercury – Merthiolate, mercurochrome, and ammoniated mercury ointment
F. Synthetic rubber – shoe toe caps, rubber shoes, bathing caps, catheters, baby pants, gloves, adhesive tape
G. Cosmetics – perfumes, lanolin, parabens, hexachlorophene, sunscreens, deodorants, hair sprays, hair dyes, rinses, toothpaste, shampoo
H. Drugs – paraben preservatives, local anesthetics, furacin, vioform, penicillin, neomycin, boric acid
I. Clothing – wool, wash and wear fabrics, dyes, elastics
J. Animals – cats, dogs, horses, cattle, birds
Patients with contact dermatitis are given potent antihistamines and in the acute phase, compresses soaked with cool tap water are advised.
The cool water compresses should be kept moist and in place for at least 45 minutes three times daily.
This will be discontinued once the inflammation has subsided and then corticosteroid creams may be applied.
Patients are also assessed to check on secondary bacterial infection present so cultures can be done and antibiotics can be started.