Contact Dermatitis
Contact Dermatitis in Columbus, OH
Contact dermatitis is a type of allergic skin reaction that occurs when your skin comes in contact with a certain substance. Diagnosing the cause of contact dermatitis requires the expertise of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shari Hicks-Graham. At her practice, Downtown Dermatology, Dr. Hicks-Graham works with children, teenagers and adults from the Greater Columbus areas to effectively treat contact dermatitis.
What is Contact Dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is a type of allergic skin reaction that occurs when your skin comes in contact with an allergen. The most interesting aspect of contact dermatitis is that you may have an allergic reaction to a substance when other people do not have the same reaction. Your family may use the same laundry detergent, for example, but only you experience the redness, irritation, and itching of contact dermatitis. Common triggers for contact dermatitis are:
- Specific metals, such as sterling silver or surgical steel (common in jewelry)
- Plants, such as poison oak or poison ivy
- Perfumes, colognes, and other fragrance-based products
- Soaps and detergents
You may develop contact dermatitis due to exposure in your home, at work or in public areas.
Contact Dermatitis Treatment Benefits
Contact dermatitis is relatively easy to diagnose, but the real challenge in treatment is identifying the trigger for your symptoms. Working with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hicks-Graham helps you know your triggers for contact dermatitis so that you can avoid those substances and reduce the likelihood of a recurrence. She will also provide treatment options for managing the longevity and severity of the symptoms.
What Areas Can Be Treated for Contact Dermatitis?
Our treatments for contact dermatitis can be applied on any area of the skin. Dr. Hicks-Graham takes into consideration the area that is affected by contact dermatitis when recommending treatments.
What Can I Expect From Contact Dermatitis Treatment?
Once Dr. Hicks-Graham identifies the trigger of your contact dermatitis, either through a discussion with you or a skin test, she will develop a treatment plan for you. The initial result of receiving contact dermatitis treatment is the alleviation of symptoms. You will notice that the redness and itching subsides after the first few days. Skin irritation and redness may take an additional one to two days. You should continue to receive treatment and use the medications as prescribed until Dr. Hicks-Graham determines that the contact dermatitis has been resolved.Dr. Hicks-Graham may also recommend some changes that are intended to limit your exposure to the allergen, such as wearing a different type of jewelry or using soap for sensitive skin.
Contact Dermatitis Treatment Preparation
A skin test is often used to identify the allergen that triggers your contact dermatitis. The test involves scratching or pricking the skin with a needle that has been treated with a common allergen. Today’s skin tests are designed to test for multiple allergens in one test. Dr. Hicks-Graham may want to allow the allergens to interact with your skin for one to three days to ensure a proper diagnosis.
Contact Dermatitis Treatment Recovery
Treatment for contact dermatitis does not require any specific recovery. The only time that you may have a recovery period is if Dr. Hicks-Graham notes a skin infection or ulcer during your consultation. In these cases, she may prescribe oral or topical medications to treat those before the actual contact dermatitis. The medications may take 10 days or longer to fully address the infection and ulcer.
How Much Does Contact Dermatitis Treatment Cost?
Contact dermatitis treatment by a board-certified dermatologist is typically covered under insurance, so you will only need to pay a portion of the cost, such as the coinsurance, co-payment or deductible. We will work with your insurance company to provide you with the estimate of your out-of-pocket costs. You may owe more once we receive payment and an explanation of benefits from your insurance carrier. We accept cash, checks, and major credit cards. If you are interested in financing your portion, you may apply for CareCredit®.
Is Contact Dermatitis Treatment Right for Me?
If you have a red rash, bumps or blisters on your skin, you may have contact dermatitis. A consultation with Dr. Hicks-Graham will give you an accurate diagnosis, as well as her expertise in treatment options.
Contact Dermatitis Consultation
Redness, irritation, bumps and rashes may be caused by contact dermatitis or another type of skin condition. If you are experiencing these symptoms or notice any changes in your skin, contact us to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Hicks-Graham.The itching, bumps, blisters and irritation that are caused by contact dermatitis can be very uncomfortable. You may even spread the allergen to surrounding skin and worsen the symptoms. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shari Hicks-Graham helps people in the Greater Columbus area understand the trigger for their contact dermatitis and find effective treatments for the symptoms.