Services

CONTACT DERMATITIS

Contact dermatitis causes persistent, uncomfortable rashes that can interfere with daily life and work. These skin reactions occur when the skin comes into contact with certain irritants or allergens. At Potozkin + Ellis Dermatology in Danville, our board-certified dermatologists and highly trained PAs and NPs provide expert evaluation and customized treatment plans to help identify your triggers and get your skin back to feeling healthy and comfortable.

Request an Appointment

What Is Contact Dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis manifests as an inflammatory response when skin comes into direct contact with substances that either irritate or trigger allergic reactions. This common condition affects millions of people and can range from mild irritation to severe, blistering reactions that interfere with daily activities. If you’re experiencing persistent red, itchy, or inflamed skin that seems related to contact with specific products or materials, contact dermatitis may be the underlying cause.

There are two primary types of contact dermatitis, each with distinct characteristics and treatment approaches. Understanding which type you have is crucial for effective management and prevention of future outbreaks.

The two main types include:

Irritant Contact Dermatitis (80% of cases): Direct damage to skin cells from harsh substances like chemicals, soaps, or excessive washing
Allergic Contact Dermatitis (20% of cases): Immune system reaction to specific allergens, typically appearing 24-48 hours after exposure
Photocontact Dermatitis: Special type requiring both chemical exposure and sunlight activation

Common symptoms include redness, itching, burning, swelling, blistering, and, in chronic cases, thickening or scaling of the skin. The pattern and location of the rash often provide important clues about the triggering substance.

How Do We Diagnose Contact Dermatitis?

Diagnosing contact dermatitis requires a systematic approach combining detailed medical history, physical examination, and often specialized testing. We carefully evaluate the pattern, timing, and characteristics of your skin reaction to identify potential triggers. When allergic contact dermatitis is suspected, we refer patients for specialized patch testing and then use our expertise to interpret results and develop personalized strategies to reduce flare-ups and restore skin health—without compromising quality of life.Our Danville patients benefit from our expertise in interpreting test results and creating practical avoidance strategies that prevent future reactions while maintaining quality of life.

What Triggers Can Contact Dermatitis Testing Identify?

Our comprehensive evaluation and patch testing can identify numerous potential triggers:

Common Allergens:

Nickel (most commonly found in jewelry, belt buckles, and cell phones)
Fragrances and preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products
Hair dyes and styling products
Topical medications and antibiotics
Rubber accelerators and latex
Plant allergens (poison ivy, oak, sumac)

Occupational Exposures:

Healthcare workers: Latex gloves, disinfectants, medications
Cosmetologists: Hair chemicals, nail products, fragrances
Mechanics: Oils, solvents, rubber products
Construction workers: Cement, epoxy resins, metals

Household Items:

Cleaning products and detergents
Fabrics and clothing materials
Adhesives and glues
Personal care products (soaps, lotions, deodorants)

Patch Testing Process (performed at outside facility):

Application of 80+ allergens on the back for 48 hours
Initial reading when patches are removed
Final reading 48 hours later to assess delayed reactions
Comprehensive education about positive results and avoidance strategies

Who Is a Good Candidate for Contact Dermatitis Evaluation?

Ideal candidates for contact dermatitis evaluation include individuals who:

Experience persistent or recurrent skin rashes
Have occupational skin problems
Notice skin reactions related to specific products or activities
Have failed to improve with standard eczema treatments
Need to identify specific allergens for workplace safety
Want to prevent future allergic reactions
Have a family history of contact allergies

If you’re in the Danville area and struggling with unexplained skin reactions, our expert team can help determine if contact dermatitis evaluation and patch testing are appropriate for your specific situation.

Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking high-dose steroids, or have active widespread dermatitis may need to delay patch testing until conditions are more favorable.

Patient treatment at Potozkin and Ellis dermatology

Why Dermatologist Expertise Matters

Choosing a board-certified dermatologist for contact dermatitis evaluation ensures accurate diagnosis and effective management. Proper interpretation of patch test results requires specialized training and experience to distinguish true allergies from irritant reactions. At Potozkin + Ellis Dermatology, our providers understand the complex relationships between allergen exposure, skin reactions, and practical avoidance strategies essential for long-term success.

Personalized Consultation and Treatment Plan

During your consultation, we will take a detailed history of your skin symptoms, occupational exposures, and product use patterns. We’ll examine your skin and discuss whether patch testing is appropriate. If testing is recommended, we’ll explain the process and create a customized allergen panel based on your specific exposures and suspected triggers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Contact Dermatitis

How is contact dermatitis different from other types of eczema?

Contact dermatitis is caused by external substances touching the skin, while other forms of eczema, like atopic dermatitis, are primarily due to internal factors like genetics and immune system dysfunction. Contact dermatitis typically has a clear relationship to specific exposures.

What should I do if I test positive for allergens?

We provide comprehensive education about avoiding identified allergens, including product recommendations and workplace modifications. We can also provide lists of safe products that don’t contain your specific allergens.

Can contact dermatitis be cured?

While there’s no cure for contact dermatitis sensitivity, the condition can be effectively managed through allergen avoidance. Once you know your triggers and avoid them, symptoms typically resolve completely.

How long does it take for contact dermatitis to clear after avoiding the trigger?

Improvement usually begins within days to weeks of avoiding the trigger, but complete healing may take several weeks to months, especially for chronic cases.

What Our Patients Have to Say

Why Choose Potozkin + Ellis Dermatology

Patients from San Francisco, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Orinda, Moraga, Alamo, and Blackhawk choose Potozkin + Ellis Dermatology for our unparalleled expertise and results.

We combine the science of dermatology with the artistry of aesthetics to deliver natural-looking enhancements that build confidence. With board-certified dermatologists performing all injections and a comprehensive range of laser technologies delivered by skilled providers, we provide both safety and excellence in a sophisticated yet approachable environment.

Unlike other practices, we complement our advanced treatments with physician-selected medical-grade skincare products and begin every aesthetic journey with our signature DermDesigned consultation. Whether you're seeking cosmetic enhancement or medical dermatology care, our commitment to natural-looking results and excellence ensures you'll receive the highest standard of care in the East Bay.

Visit Us In Danville

Experience world-class dermatology care right here in the East Bay.

Our Location

600 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Suite 102 Danville, CA 94526

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Contact Us

925.838.4900

Team