Irritant Skin Rash (Contact Dermatitis - Irritant)

• This is where the skin develops a rash from something it came in contact with.

  • The skin looks irritated and inflamed.

• It is an inflammatory response that is not an allergy.

• It is more common than allergic contact dermatitis.

  • Infants have higher rates of it than kids.

• If your child has a history of atopic dermatitis (or eczema), they maybe more likely to have irritant contact dermatitis.

• This is not contagious.

• The rash usually resolves in two to three days, but may take longer.

• It may reoccur every time your child comes in contact with the irritant.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis due to the bandage around the neck.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis that caused blistering due to a chemical.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis caused by a deodorant.

• There are many causes from chemical irritants to physical irritants.

• Sometimes the skin reacts after one exposure or after it has been exposed many times.

• The skin may react because it is already irritated from:  

  • Dry skin, or the winter months when skin is drier since the air is drier.

  • Sweating, as sweat can clog the skin’s pores and the pores are how the skin breathes.

• Examples of chemical irritants are:

  • Soaps, detergents, drier sheets, and lotions.

    • The irritation may come from ingredients or added scents.

  • Excessive hand washing (usually more than 20 times per day).

  • Hair products (example:  hair dyes).

  • Nail products (example:  nail polish remover).

  • Topical medications (examples:  benzoyl peroxide, retinoids).

  • Bandages that stick to the skin (example:  band-aids).

  • Bodily fluids like saliva and urine from animals and humans.

  • Products containing alcohol (commonly found in hand sanitizers, and skin products).

  • Cement (when wet) and chalk.  

  • Household cleaning products.

  • Liquids used for repairing vehicles and fixing household appliances.

  • Paints and varnishes.

• Examples of physical irritants are:

  • Wood and fiberglass.

  • Dust and soil.

  • Paper (more common for workers at a paper making job).

  • Plants (examples:  poinsettias and peppers).

• The rash may look red, pink, blistered, scabbed, flaky, or scaly.

• It is usually itchy and may burn, sting, or be painful.

• The rash may have small dots or have widespread areas of redness.

• The rash may start minutes to hours after the contact.

• The rash will be on the part of the body that came in contact with the irritant.

  • If the irritant is on clothes, other body parts may have the rash if touched by the clothes.

• Your child’s healthcare provider will ask you and your child (if old enough) some questions.

• Your child’s healthcare provider will examine your child.

  • The diagnosis can usually be made by asking you questions and examining your child.

• Sometimes your child may need to see a specialist for further evaluation, like a dermatologist or an allergist.

• Be sure to keep your child’s skin moisturized.

  • Encourage your child to drink lots of water (this helps keep the skin hydrated).

• Avoid any items that you know irritate your child’s skin.

• Let all of your child’s caretakers know what irritates your child’s skin.

• Avoid soaps, lotions, hair products, detergents, and drier sheets with added scents and fragrances.  

• If your child will be around plants that irritate your child’s skin, cover their skin where they will be exposed.

• Be sure to wash and dry any exposed clothes.

• Keep all household chemicals out of reach.

• Alcohol free hand sanitizers may be a good option.

• Monitor your child for excessive hand washing.

• Keep the skin moisturized with thick creams, oils, or petrolatum jelly.

• After exposure gently wash the area with a non-scented soap to clean off as much irritant as possible.

• Your child’s provider may prescribe a medication, so be sure to use it as directed.

• You can treat your child’s itch with these over-the-counter products:

  • Diphenhydramine cream (common brand name is Benadryl cream).

  • Hydrocortisone cream.

  • Aloe Vera (just avoid one containing alcohol).

  • Calamine lotion.

  • Try to keep your child from scratching the area.

    • Be sure to trim their nails to keep them short.

• Avoid the irritant whenever possible.

• Your child may need to be referred to a speclialist if the condition continues to happen or is hard to treat.

• Your child’s symptoms are getting worse.

• You have tried over the counter options and the rash is not improving.

• You are unsure of what is causing your child’s rash.

• You have any other questions or concerns.

• You think your child needs to be seen.