Atopic eczema – Contact eczema
Contact eczema is an allergic reaction that results in localised skin redness. This inflammatory disease occurs when the skin comes into contact with an allergenic substance that should be avoided as much as possible. There are solutions to protect your skin from hypersensitivity and inflammation.
When contact eczema occurs, the symptoms vary from patient to patient. But in all cases the first sign is erythema (redness) sometimes followed by oedema (swelling). This is followed by vesicles (small blisters) and oozing due to the breaking of the blisters. On the eyelids, face and genitals, the skin swells and turns red. Contact eczema is particularly intense on the hands and feet due to regular friction. The flare-ups do not leave scars, unless the skin remains in contact with the allergenic substance. In this case, the eczema becomes chronic: the skin thickens and cracks.
This skin sensitivity is caused by allergenic substances in our environment:
Contact eczema can occur on various parts of the body in the days following exposure to the allergen.
Contact eczema on the wrist, earlobe or stomach is typical of a reaction to nickel (found, despite their ban in Europe, in jewellery, watches and buttons). On the hands, preservatives in hygiene or cosmetic products are often involved. On the body, the allergen can be found in washing liquids. On the feet, components (formaldehyde, glue, rubber, latex etc.) in shoes are often the cause of the reaction. For the face, you can look for fragrances and preservatives found in creams and make-up. On the genitals, contact eczema often comes from condoms (latex) or hair removal creams.
The best way to avoid contact eczema is to get rid of the allergenic substance.
To soothe your skin and protect it from drying out, use ultra-rich soap-free products. An emollient cream several times a day maintains a good level of hydration and rebuilds the skin barrier.
