ALLERGIC CONTACT
DERMATITIS
Essentials of Diagnosis
•
Itching.
•
Erythema is often followed by vesicles/bullae.
•
There may be secondary infection.
•
There will be a history of previous episode of itching.
•
History of repetitive exposure to causative
factors.
•
Patch test with agent is positive.
•
In acute phase there will be tiny vesicles weepy
and crusted lesions.
•
Affected area is hot and swollen.
•
Gram’s stain and culture will rule out
impetigo/secondary infection.
Treatment
o
Localised involvement can be managed by topical
agents.
o
In acute weeping dermatitis compresses are used.
Calamine lotions may be used in dried cases.
o
Mild potency triamcinolone 0.1 % to high potency
steroids are useful.
o
In acute cases one may give prednisone 60 mg for
4-7 days.
