Patient/caregiver was educated on signs and symptoms of contact dermatitis as follows:
- Contact dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition in which individuals tend to show a strong immune response on coming into physical contact with any substances /allergens they are allergic to. These allergens/triggers that individuals respond to could differ from person to person.
- Contact dermatitis is a self-limited condition and involves only that portion of skin which contacted the allergen. Depending upon exposure to the trigger, contact dermatitis can get periodically activated & be relieved at other times.
- Individuals can also present with small blisters on the affected skin, which can burst open leaking fluid, leaving sore skin. Also, the persistent itching and scratching can leave the skin raw and sensitive.
- Itching with contact dermatitis can continue for two to four weeks, until the blisters stop oozing & sore skin stops itching and improves on discontinuing contact with the trigger.
- Chronic recurrent activation of contact dermatitis episodes from repeated exposure to the triggers can leave the skin swollen from inflammation and extremely dry, cracked, and scaly.
- Contact dermatitis activation can result in inflammatory skin rash, appearing as brownish red patches with intense itching.
- Avoiding contact with the triggering agent is the best measure to prevent activation of an episode and ease symptoms during a flare-up.
