Irritant contact dermatitis, specifically, is an inflammation of the skin caused by contact with a foreign substance. This can be any chemical substance, including soaps, detergents, and fabric softeners. The reaction can look like a burn.

Causes

• Cosmetics: Products include dyes used in hair colour, clothing, perfumes, eye shadow, nail polish, lipstick, and some sunscreens.
• Latex: Latex is found in products such as rubber toys, balloons, balls, rubber gloves, bandages, and pacifiers or nipples.
• Metals: These include nickel, chrome, and mercury. Nickel is found in costume jewellery, belt buckles, and wristwatches, as well as zippers, snaps, and hooks on clothing. Chrome-plated items may also contain nickel. Mercury is found in contact lens solutions. It may cause problems for some children.
• Medicines: Neomycin may also cause contact dermatitis. It’s found in some kinds of antibiotic creams and local anesthetic.

Some very general causes:

• Soaps and detergents.
• Spit (saliva).
• Urine in a diaper.
• Lotions and perfumes.

Symptoms

The skin looks Red, Swollen, Itchy, Painful, Dry, Cracked, Peeling, Bleeding, Oozing, Draining, Crusting, Blistering.

Management

• Use wet, cold clothes (compresses) on the skin. This is to help reduce symptoms and ease inflammation.
• Wash your child’s skin with soap and water as soon as possible after contact. Wash all areas, including the face, neck, hands, and in between the fingers.
• Putting corticosteroid cream or ointment on the skin. This may help to lessen itching and other symptoms. The cream or ointment may be over-the-counter or prescription.
• Use wet dressings for oozing areas. They may help decrease itching and improve healing. Ask your child's healthcare provider or nurse for instructions.

When should I see a doctor?

• Symptoms that get worse.
• New symptoms.
• Symptoms that affect a large area.
• Symptoms around the eyes or genitals.
• Signs of a skin infection, such as increased redness, warmth, swelling, or fluid.