Quick Scoop: What Causes Contact Dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis happens when your skin reacts to something it touched. The two main causes are **irritants** , which directly damage the skin, and **allergens** , which trigger an immune reaction.

Common causes

• Irritants: soaps, detergents, disinfectants, solvents, bleach, acids, alkalis, water, and some cleaning chemicals.

• Allergens: poison ivy and other plants, nickel, fragrances, preservatives, antibiotics, rubber/latex, cosmetics, and some medicines.

What it looks like

It usually causes redness, itching, swelling, dryness, or a rash in the area that touched the trigger. The rash may appear after repeated exposure to an irritant or after a delayed immune reaction to an allergen.

When to be careful

If the rash is severe, spreading, blistering, or affecting your face, eyes, or genitals, it’s a good idea to get medical advice. If you want, I can also help you figure out the most likely trigger based on your symptoms or what your skin touched.