Early symptoms can include:

• Rash and itching
• Redness; darker skin types may have areas of deep brown or purple skin (hyperpigmentation), sometimes darker skin may appear ashen grey (hypopigmentation)
• Swelling
• Bumps or blisters, sometimes filled with clear fluid

These symptoms usually happen within hours but may also take a day or two to appear.

More long-term symptoms may include:

• An eczema-like rash
• Thickened skin
• Scaling or cracked skin (from scratching)

More long-term symptoms may include:

• An eczema-like rash
• Thickened skin
• Scaling or cracked skin (from scratching)

Avoiding your contact allergen usually reduces flare ups and is an important part of symptom management.

These steps may help if you have sensitive skin:

1. Choose household and personal care items that are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free
2. Use protective clothing such as gloves when necessary
3. Wear cotton clothes since they’re gentler than other fabrics
4. Wash new clothing before wearing it and avoid scratchy materials
5. Regularly moisturize your skin with emollients to seal in moisture

For severe allergic contact dermatitis, you could be prescribed corticosteroids taken by mouth or given by injection. These reduce inflammation and help treat symptoms that cover large areas of the body. But they are usually only prescribed for short periods of time.

Applying a cold compress and calamine lotion or taking an oatmeal bath can help soothe symptoms. These home remedies may stop you scratching and breaking the skin, which can cause infection.

Speak to your doctor if you have a rash and aren’t sure what’s causing it. It’s a good idea to note down when you get symptoms, take a photo of the affected area and any other important information. For example, how quickly the rash develops and any relevant family medical history, such as skin conditions and allergies.

The location of the rash may also help your doctor diagnose potential allergens:

• Ear lobes and neck – associated with wearing nickel-based jewelry
• Face and eyelids– from applying cosmetics that contain allergens such as Balsam of Peru
• Hands – from wearing latex gloves, handling coins containing nickel or using allergen-containing soaps

A positive patch test is usually needed to confirm a diagnosis. Patch testing involves taping small patches dabbed in suspected allergens to your back and checking for a reaction. It usually takes two days, or more, for the results to show.

Certains allergènes ne causent une inflammation que lors d’une exposition au soleil. Par conséquent, vous pouvez remarquer que vous avez une éruption cutanée à cause de l’écran solaire lors d’une journée ensoleillée. Cela peut également se produire avec d’autres allergènes, comme la lotion à raser et certains parfums. Les tests épicutanés peuvent aider à identifier les produits qui provoquent cette réaction.

Some allergens only cause inflammation with sun exposure. So, you may notice you get a rash from sunscreen on a sunny day. This can also happen with other allergens, such as shaving lotion and some perfumes. Patch testing can help identify products that cause this reaction.

Irritant contact dermatitis is non-allergic. It can affect anyone, especially after repeated exposure to the irritant. Substances like abrasive cleaning chemicals and laundry detergents can cause it. Allergic contact dermatitis only affects people who respond to an allergen, for example nickel.

Allergic contact dermatitis may take a day or two to appear. Irritant contact dermatitis can flare within minutes.

But why the time delay? Allergic contact dermatitis is a Type IV allergic reaction (remember those T cells we mentioned). Type IV allergic reactions tend to be slower, with symptoms usually appearing between 12 and 72 hours after exposure.

Most of the allergies we cover are Type I, which involves IgE antibodies, for example hay fever. In comparison, hay fever symptoms usually develop immediately or very soon after encountering the allergen pollen.

2. Vermeide die Verbreitung allergener Erdnussproteine

• Mache es dir zur Gewohnheit, am Tisch zu essen und einen Teller zu verwenden.
• Reinige Küchenoberflächen, an denen Erdnussrückstände vorhanden sein könnten, mit einem Einwegtuch.
• Dasselbe gilt für Pfannen und Utensilien, wenn du mit Erdnüssen kochst.

3. Und achte darauf, sie nicht versehentlich zu essen

• Teile weder Tassen noch Besteck, da Erdnussproteine im Speichel zurückbleiben können.
• Warne auch dein Date, dass du niemanden küssen kannst, nachdem er oder sie Erdnüsse gegessen hat.
• Lasse dich von den Hunden anderer Menschen nicht ablecken, es sei denn, du weißt sicher, dass ihre Besitzerin oder ihr Besitzer erdnussfreies Haustierfutter und Leckerlis kauft.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a reaction to an allergen touching your skin. It usually causes an itchy rash that may take a day or two to appear. Various substances can trigger it such as nickel, latex or fragrances in cosmetics and toiletries. Most cases can be treated with over-the-counter medicines or simple home remedies.