Contact Dermatitis  in Charlotte, NC

Darst Dermatology offers personalized contact dermatitis treatment in Charlotte, Matthews, and the surrounding North Carolina communities.

What Is Contact Dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of your skin caused by an allergic or irritant reaction to something that touches your skin. Soaps, lotions, and perfumes are common culprits as are poison ivy or poison oak.

How Is It Treated?

First, you must identify what has caused the inflammation. Dr. Darst may be able to identify the culprit by taking your history and examining the eruption. If the cause is not readily apparent, Dr. Darst may ask you to stop using several topical or oral products for a period of up to one month. If the rash clears, one product at a time will be added back until a product that causes the rash is discovered. That way, you can begin eliminating potential causes of irritation. It could take weeks or months to positively identify the cause of your contact dermatitis. You shouldn’t try new products during this time either. Don’t be surprised if the cause turns out to be a product you’ve used for months or even years. Allergies can develop at any time, so you could react to a substance that’s never before caused a problem. In some cases, Dr. Darst may recommend Patch Testing. In a Patch Test, Dr. Darst’s assistant applies several common allergens to your back. It is protected with tape to occlude the allergens. You will be seen back at 2 days to remove the allergens. We will perform a preliminary reading at that time. You will return 5 to 7 days later for a final interpretation.

In the meantime, the condition can be treated with anti-itch cream and cold compresses. Severe cases require a prescription medication to reduce swelling and inflammation.

Dr. Darst, a board-certified dermatologist, offers expert contact dermatitis treatment to residents of Charlotte, Matthews, and other Metrolina communities in North Carolina. Schedule a consultation today by calling 704-321-3376. Darst Dermatology is conveniently located at 11301 Golf Links Drive North, Charlotte, NC 28277.