Have you ever experienced an itchy, red rash after coming into contact with something? If so, you may have had a case of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). At Arlington Dermatology, we understand how uncomfortable and inconvenient ACD can be. That’s why we provide specialized treatment to help relieve the symptoms of ACD. But first, let’s break down what exactly ACD is and how to identify it.
What is Allergic Contact Dermatitis?
ACD is an immune system reaction that occurs when your skin interacts with a substance that you are allergic to or sensitive to. Some common causes of ACD include cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry, metal objects such as watches or hair clips, cleaning products such as bleach and detergents, plants like poison ivy and poison oak, latex gloves, dyes from clothing or shoes, and even some medicines. When these substances come in contact with your skin, they cause inflammation which leads to an itchy rash.
Identifying the Cause of Your Allergy
It can be difficult to determine the exact cause of your allergy since there are so many potential culprits. The best way to identify the source of your reaction is by testing the suspected allergen on a small patch of skin with the guidance of a doctor. This process is called patch testing and allows us at Arlington Dermatology to pinpoint exactly which substance is causing ACD in our patients. Once we identify the allergen responsible for your discomfort, we can develop an effective treatment plan tailored specifically for you.
Symptoms & Treatment Options
The most common symptom associated with ACD is itching followed by redness and swelling in the affected area. In more severe cases blisters can form on the skin that may ooze fluid or bleed if scratched too much. Antihistamines can help reduce itching while mild topical corticosteroids can also reduce inflammation associated with ACD. If blisters are present, they may need to be drained to promote healing while avoiding infection and scarring caused by excessive scratching.
Visit Arlington Dermatology Today!
At Arlington Dermatology we understand how unpleasant allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) can be for our patients which is why we offer specialized treatment options tailored specifically for each individual patient’s needs. To ensure that we provide effective relief from your symptoms it is important that we first identify what substance caused your reaction using patch testing methods before developing a personalized treatment plan for you. If you experience any of these symptoms, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Our team at Arlington Dermatology will work diligently until you find relief from your condition so that you can get back to living life comfortably again! Contact us today to schedule an appointment in Rolling Meadows, IL!