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contact dermatitis
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contact dermatitis Red, patchy rash with raised areas on human skin, showing an allergic contact dermatitis reaction caused by exposure to poison ivy.
Why does poison ivy make people so itchy?
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skin disease
dermatitis
diaper rash
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contact dermatitis
contact dermatitis Contact dermatitis caused by sensitivity to bandage adhesive surrounding a healing wound.

contact dermatitis

dermatology
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•History

contact dermatitis, localized redness and swelling of the skin, together with the formation of vesicles (blisters) in more severe cases, caused by skin contact with irritating chemical substances. Certain chemicals, such as lime or nitric acid, produce inflammation in all persons on first contact. Other agents, ordinarily innocuous (e.g., cosmetics, soaps, clothing), cause inflammation after susceptible persons acquire sensitivity by repeated exposure. Prevention of contact dermatitis rests upon the identification of the particular irritant and its subsequent avoidance.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.