Contact Dermatitis

• Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common type. A household cleaner, harsh soap, and industrial solvents can cause it to occur. It can take minutes or hours for your skin to react to these substances.
• In allergic contact dermatitis, the immune system responds to contact with something you are allergic to, such as fragrance, preservative, nickel, and others. The duration of allergic reactions varies from a few days to a few weeks after exposure.

When the eczema isn't responding to treatment, in new cases of eczema, or in chronic cases of eczema whose location, severity, or appearance has changed, contact dermatitis needs to be considered. 

In people with atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis can be especially difficult to detect. Based on your medical history, exposures, symptoms, and patch tests, your health care provider may diagnose you with an irritant or allergic contact dermatitis.

Symptoms vary depending on the type of contact dermatitis. The signs and symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis include itchy and burning skin, dry, crusty skin, pus-filled blisters, and swelling. When someone has irritant contact dermatitis, they may experience blisters, cracked skin, tight skin, and open sores. Keep in mind that this is a general list of symptoms, and you may experience something different.