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Contact dermatitis' is the term used when the dermatitis is caused by an agent which comes in contact with the surface of the skin. Conventionally, contact dermatitis is always allergic in nature and occurs only in an individual who has developed allergy to that agent. Like other allergic diseases, the agents responsible for contact dermatitis are also substances to which the individual is exposed during the routine day-to-day activities.
Contact dermatitis can be easily controlled by applying a corticosteroid ointment if the dermatitis is confined to a localised area. If, on the other hand, the dermatitis is generalised and extensive, it is preferable to treat it with an oral corticosteroid. Antihistamines (commonly known as anti-allergic drugs) are virtually of no use in contact dermatitis. It is however, important to know that the corticosteroid would bring about only a temporary regression of the disease. If the exposure to the causal agent is continued, the dermatitis would also continue to recur. The primary treatment for contact dermatitis therefore, is to detect the cause and prevent further exposures. If further exposures are prevented, the dermatitis would subside even without any treatment. Corticosteroid however, will help the dermatitis to subside faster and reduce the suffering.
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