When your skin comes in contact with chemicals and becomes inflamed, this is known as contact dermatitis. The chemical may cause an irritant or an allergic response in the skin. The resulting inflammation causes a red, itchy rash that is not contagious. There are many chemicals that can cause contact dermatitis – those in skin care products such as soaps, lotions, shampoos, make-up, certain metals used in jewelry, or chemicals in plants such as grass, weeds, poison ivy or poison oak.

Sometimes, comprehensive allergy patch testing is needed to help us identify the exact cause. Once we determine which chemical(s) or product(s) are causing your rash, avoiding them, along with topical steroids and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, can help clear the rash effectively over a few weeks.