Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis (CD) is a skin inflammation caused by some substances with which we come in contact during everyday life and/or when at work. These substances may be present in cosmetics or in household cleaning products (soaps, detergents, creams, perfumes, deodorants, solvents, etc.), in clothing and in shoes, in foods, in medicines for topical use (e.g. antimycotics, antibiotics, corticosteroids) and in other products in common use. Contact dermatitis strikes especially the hands, which are most exposed to contact with allergens, but more and more frequently also the feet, legs and other parts of the body, due to the substances contained in shoes and clothing (e.g. rubber, glues, metals such as nickel, potassium dichromate used in tanning leather/hide, dyes, formaldehyde, fabric conditioners, etc.).  There are two types of Contact dermatitis:
- Irritative Contact Dermatitis caused by irritating substances (80% of cases);
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis caused by allergens able to trigger an inflammatory reaction that involves the immune system in sensitised subjects (20% of cases; it appears 48-72 hours after exposure to the allergen).

The factors
One of the main factors that can contribute to the development of contact dermatitis is the alteration of the skin barrier which facilitates the penetration of irritating substances/allergens (for example, cuts and abrasions, dry skin or presence of atopic dermatitis). Another discriminating factor concerns the chemical nature of the substance, its quantity and concentration, as well as the length and frequency of exposure. Then there are individual factors related to the resistance of the skin which modifies naturally during life (weaker in children and in the elderly), and heredity factors, so different people have different reactions to the same allergen. We also have to consider the environmental and/or occupational factors to which the person is exposed (for example, a hot-damp working environment, use of non-breathing waterproof gloves/shoes, etc.).

Suggested products ›

• Barrier gloves Microair Barrier Gloves are designed to avoid contact with the irritating substances that cause Contact Dermatitis, they are worn under working gloves. continue ›
• Undersocks The under-socks are part of the innovative DermaSilk line designed for people with skin diseases. All DermaSilk garments guarantee pure silk fibroin with permanent antimicrobial treatment in contact with the skin. continue ›
• DermaSilk gloves The gloves are part of the innovative DermaSilk line of therapeutic clothing. All DermaSilk garments guarantee pure silk fibroin with permanent antimicrobial treatment in contact with the skin. continue ›
• Barrier socks Microair Barrier Socks are made of the innovative Microair Barrier fabric. Designed to avoid contact with the irritating substances that cause Contact Dermatitis, they are worn under ordinary socks. continue ›