Allergic contact eczema

Allergic contact eczema may develop when your skin comes into repeated contact with substances such as nickel, which is often found in jewellery, perfume in fragrances and toiletries, and latex, which is found in rubber gloves and shoes.

You may have been using or wearing something for some time with no skin problems, then one day you develop allergic contact eczema. When the trigger substance or ‘allergen’ next touches your skin, you develop a red, bumpy rash, which later becomes dry and itchy. The skin reaction may not appear immediately, but a day or two after contact with the allergen. Sometimes the delay can make it difficult to work out what has caused the problem.

If a contact allergy is suspected, your healthcare professional may employ patch testing. In this test, small amounts of different substances are placed on the skin to see if you have an allergic reaction to them. If the cause of the allergic reaction is obvious, such as an item of jewellery, avoid contact with it and your eczema should get better. It is not always possible to identify the allergen or indeed to avoid it. Further treatment options should then be discussed with your healthcare professional.

To treat a flare-up of eczema, you may need a steroid cream and a soothing emollient, but choose a simple product that is free from fragrances and preservatives - the fewer ingredients, the better. If this is not successful you may need to consider further treatment options with your healthcare professional.

For more information, please see the rest of the website. If you still have questions, please speak to your GP or healthcare professional