Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that develops upon coming in direct contact with a particular substance that causes irritation to your skin. Contact dermatitis can be of two types depending upon the causative agent - allergic contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis. At times it is possible for an individual to have both the types of contact dermatitis.

Irritant contact dermatitis is more common than allergic contact dermatitis accounting for 80% of the contact dermatitis. It has been observed that about 75% of all contact dermatitis tend to affect the hands. It is more common in women whereas it is not that common in children although recently the numbers are increasing. Contact dermatitis can occur at any age.

Appearance

Contact dermatitis makes the skin look red, swollen with the appearance of blisters its surface. These blisters may later break leaving behind crusts and scales. The skin later may become darker, leathery and cracked. Contact dermatitis is often difficult to distinguish from other sorts of rashes pertaining to its similarity in appearance.