HOME

About Aerias

The IAQ Resource

Just the Facts

Building Green

Premium Content

Contact Us


Rash
Dermatitis and Skin Rashes

Dermatitis and Skin Rashes What dermatitis is Causes dermatitis Where skin sensitizers may be found Dermatitis symptom Medicines that can be used Avoiding dermatitis What Dermatitis Is The skin is the largest organ of the body. The main purpose of the skin is to act as a physical barrier to prevent both dehydration and infection. When there is a rash or dermatitis, the skin may not be able to protect the body as well. Dermatitis is an inflammation or redness of the skin. It is either the result of damage caused by an irritating chemical or substance or an allergic reaction to a substance. Fats and oils in the skin play a big part in keeping the skin intact so chemicals and infections cannot get inside the body. However, some chemicals, like organic solvents, break down or remove these fats and oils. When this happens, the skin becomes dried and cracked because the protective fats and oils are no longer present. These cracks provide openings for chemicals and germs to enter the body. For this reason, it is very important to wear proper gloves when working around chemicals and to never wash your hands in a solvent, like gasoline, to remove dirt and grease. If an irritant comes in contact with the skin, it may cause skin damage. The body responds to this damage by sending in cells in the blood to try to repair the damage. That is what causes the redness, warmth, and swelling seen with dermatitis. If the damage is minimal, it will just result in thickening of the skin. However, if the skin damage is more severe, it could cause blistering and chapping of the skin. Usually the rash caused by a skin irritant will develop within a few hours after exposure and will be at its worst about 24 hours later. With allergic contact dermatitis, the process is different. Usually there is an amount of time in which the person may be in contact with a substance and does not have a reaction. This amount of time varies anywhere from a few days to many years. Part of the reaction depends on the substance's ability to penetrate the skin. Once an allergen has penetrated the outer layer of skin, there are no signs of skin damage. However, the person may have become "sensitized" to the allergen. If that is so, the next time someone is exposed to that substance, the immune system recognizes the allergen as a foreign substance and sets up an allergic reaction which may result in itching, pain, redness, swelling, and the formation of small wheals or blisters on the skin. Usually the inflammation is just in the part of the skin that came in contact with the allergen, but sometimes it may spread over large areas of the skin. This reaction usually starts within 12 hours from exposure and is at its worst after three or four days. It slowly improves in about seven days. Once sensitized to a substance, the allergic reaction will continue throughout one's life. Skin problems, such as dermatitis, are the most common work-related disease. They account for more than 45 percent of all occupationally related diseases. Among all cases of dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis accounts for about 30 percent. Causes of Dermatitis Many different chemicals can be skin irritants. The following are sources of skin irritants: Home: Detergents Cleaners Gardening: manure, artificial fertilizers, pesticides Fungi or molds Fiber glass: insulation School: Auto shop: solvents, cutting oils, hand cleansers, grease, gasoline, diesel fuel Beautician class: permanent wave solutions, shampoos, bleaching agents, artificial nail products, acetone (nail polish remover) Wood shop: glues, detergents, thinners, solvents, wood preservatives, paint Art class: solvents, clay, plaster Office: Solvents found in photocopiers, adhesives Where Skin Sensitizers May Be Found Allergic contact dermatitis is different than contact dermatitis because it is an allergic response to skin contact with an allergen. Allergic dermatitis may also occur in other places on the body that were not exposed to the allergen. The following are some places where skin sensitizers may be found: Home: Plants (like poison ivy) Latex gloves School: Auto shop Beautician class: hair dyes, latex gloves, formaldehyde Wood shop: glues, different types of wood, wood preservatives, resins Art class: pigments, dyes, epoxy resin Office: Carbonless copy paper: formaldehyde, phthalic anhydride Carpeting components: latex backing, mold contamination, glues Laser printer and photoduplication equipment: acrylates, styrene, and other off-gassing thermal degradation products Symptoms of Dermatitis The following are symptoms that may occur with dermatitis: Itching Pain Redness Swelling Possible formation of small blisters or wheals (itchy, red circles with a white center) Heat Scales or crusts Dermatitis may be treated with creams, ointments, skin cleansers, and possibly ulraviolet (UV) light. In general, people should protect their skin from physical trauma (including scratching) and further skin irritation while the rash is present. You should never scratch a rash for two reasons: Skin that has a rash and has been scratched can easily become infected. Scratching can release more histamine, which makes the rash itch more. Medications That Can Be Used To Treat Dermatitis If a rash does not go away, the following medicines may be used: Skin infections may be treated by antibiotics for bacterial infections, or antifungal medications for fungal infections (like athlete's foot). These are usually topical (applied on the skin) but the doctor may prescribe oral medication. Topical steroids are applied to the skin which fight the inflammation Tar products are skin and scalp products that contain coal tar extracts have long been used to reduce itching, red and inflamed skin. Tar shampoos often are helpful for a red, itchy scalp?that is why they are often used in dandruff shampoos. Antihistamines can help reduce itching. They are also used to control allergy symptoms. Though there are some topical antihistamines, often these are taken as pills, which may cause drowsiness. Avoiding Dermatitis Avoid those substances that can cause skin rashes. If the irritant is a chemical, try to substitute it with a less harmful substance. Wash your hands well after exposure to an irritant, but remember that just washing can cause dryness by removing skin oils. Use the mildest soap you can. Wear appropriate gloves and protective clothing when working around irritating substances. For liquid chemicals, gloves need to be made out of a material that slows down that chemical from going through the glove. There is not any single glove that will provide protection from all chemicals. Research what chemicals you are using before you use them. Use cream on dry skin to help your skin keep its protective properties.