Contact dermatitis: skin reaction to a product
Quick facts
- Definition
- Skin inflammation caused by contact with a substance.
- Types
- Irritant (direct damage) and allergic (immune reaction, in a sensitized person).
- Signs
- Redness, itching, burning, scaling, and sometimes blisters.
- In facial harmonization
- Can arise with antiseptics, topical anesthetics, acids, cosmetics, and adhesive tape.
Contact dermatitis is skin inflammation caused by contact with a substance. The face is a frequent site, because of its thin skin and exposure to cosmetics, and a facial harmonization clinic uses several products that touch the skin: antiseptics, topical anesthetics, acids, masks, post-procedure creams, and adhesives.
What are the two types?
| Type | How it arises | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Irritant | Direct damage from the substance to the skin barrier | Burning, redness, dryness; anyone can have it, given enough exposure |
| Allergic | Immune system reaction in someone already sensitized | Intense itching, erythema, swelling, sometimes blisters; appears hours or days after contact |
The allergic type is classified as a delayed hypersensitivity reaction. Urticaria, on the other hand, is a different mechanism, with welts that appear and fade quickly.
What can cause it in the clinic's routine?
- Antiseptics and fixatives on sensitive skin.
- Topical anesthetics, especially if applied for a long time or under occlusion.
- Acids and chemical peels beyond the skin's tolerance.
- Creams, sunscreens, and makeup used after the procedure.
- Tape, dressings, and adhesive masks.
What should you do?
Management is up to the qualified professional, and includes stopping the suspected agent, protecting the skin barrier, and assessing the need for treatment. Severe cases, those that spread, or those involving the periorbital region and mucous membranes call for prompt medical evaluation. An allergy test does not replace a well-taken history.
Frequently asked questions
What is contact dermatitis?
It is skin inflammation caused by contact with a substance. It can be irritant, from direct damage, or allergic, when the immune system reacts to the product.
How do you tell contact dermatitis from a reaction to the procedure?
Dermatitis usually appears in the area where the product touched, with itching and scaling. A reaction to the procedure tends to follow the treated points. The assessment is clinical.