Do I Have Contact Dermatitis?

Do you have a red rash on your body, your skin is red, swollen and hot (lighter skin becomes red, and darker skin can become dark brown, purple or grey)?

Do you have itching, that can range from mild to severe (often intense)?

Do you have burning, stinging or tenderness on your skin?

Do you have dry, cracked, scaly skin on the affected area?

Do you have hives (round welts on the skin that itch intensely)?

Have you started using any new soaps, lotions, cosmetics or household products?

Does your work or a hobby involve using products that often come in contact with your skin?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is a type of rash that results from direct contact with a substance that damages the outer layer of your skin or an allergic reaction to that particular substance. There are many conditions that can cause your skin to become dry and irritated so if you have an unexplained rash that won’t go away please consult with your GP. If needed, your GP will refer you to a dermatologist (a specialist doctor who manages diseases related to skin) for further analysis.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is a skin condition with a red, itchy rash that occurs when you are exposed to a substance that irritates your skin (an irritant) or triggers an allergic reaction in your body (an allergen). It affects only the areas of your body that have come into direct contact with the reaction-causing substance. The rash develops quickly, within minutes to hours of exposure and can be very uncomfortable. If you identify and avoid the substance causing the problem, the rash will clear up completely in two to four weeks.