Contact dermatitis often has slightly elevated lesions with distinct borders. This is severe allergic contact dermatitis, resulting in very thick, scaly lesions on the fingers. Redness and fine scale can be a sign of an allergic contact dermatitis. This image displays an allergy to the nickel found in the watch case. The result is a scaly, itchy, persistent skin rash where the watch touches the skin. This image displays a pink, itchy, scaly lesion due to an allergy to fragrance in a skin care product. This image displays contact dermatitis, also called "fiddler's neck," from an allergy to the violin touching the skin. This woman had an allergy to a cosmetic. Note the pink areas at the chin and upper lip. This image displays a scaly, slightly elevated lesion due to an allergy to the nickel in an eyeglass frame. This image displays severe redness and scaling lesions in a patient allergic to lanolin in a skin lotion. This image displays a violet-colored, linear, slightly elevated lesion typical of contact dermatitis, due to an allergy to the rubber in the elastic waistband of the patient's underwear. This is irritant contact dermatitis of the web spaces and fingers. The thin eyelid skin is a frequent site for allergic contact dermatitis due to inadvertent touching the eyelids, transferring an allergen from the fingers to the lids. Nail polish allergy is often first seen at the eyelid. Mild redness and itch are signs of an allergic contact dermatitis. This image displays allergic contact dermatitis from fragrance found in a deodorant. This image displays contact dermatitis on the scalp and adjacent to the scalp area in a young man who was using a hair straightener. An allergy to a bathing suit frabic caused this rash. This hairdresser had an allergic contact dermatitis from exposure to hair dye. This image displays allergic contact dermatitis on the top of the feet. Hair dyes are a frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitis (allergic skin reactions) in the scalp. This image displays redness around the mouth caused by an allergic reaction to mangoes. The sharp border of the redness on the foot is due to contact dermatitis from an allergy to a substance in contact with the skin. Allergic contact dermatitis to earrings is common in women.
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Allergic Contact Dermatitis:
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Picture of Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Contact dermatitis often has slightly elevated lesions with distinct borders. Divider line
Contact dermatitis often has slightly elevated lesions with distinct borders.
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Overview
Allergic contact dermatitis is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction (the reaction to the allergen occurs 48–72 hours after exposure). The most common allergens causing allergic contact dermatitis appear to be nickel, chromates, rubber chemicals, and neomycin (an antibacterial).
  • Nickel is found in jewelry, belt buckles, and metal closures on clothing.
  • Chromates are found in shoe leathers.
  • Rubber chemicals are found in gloves, balloons, and elastic in garments.
  • Neomycin is common in triple antibiotic first aid ointments such as Neosporin® (and generic versions of Neosporin) as well as other combination preparations with other antibacterials and corticosteroids and other topical ointments, creams, and lotions. It may also be found in eye preparations, eardrops, and some vaccines.
  • Common allergen-containing products include cosmetics, soaps, dyes, and jewelry.
  • The most frequent sensitizers in the general population are fragrance, nickel, neomycin, formaldehyde, lanolin (wool grease found in ointments and cosmetics), and a host of other common environmental chemicals.
  • Poison ivy is a frequent cause and is discussed separately.
Last Modified: 29 Jan 2008

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