• Inflammation of the skin most often affecting the hands
• Symptoms may include a skin rash that may be red and itchy with multiple swollen and raised areas
• Caused by exposure of the skin to an allergen or irritant such as soap, jewelry, weeds or poison ivy
• Cannot be spread from person to person
• Affects males and females but more common in females
• Can occur at any age
• May be mild to severe depending on the substance involved and the amount of sensitivity
• May be life threatening

GENERAL THERAPY

• Wash with soap and cool water immediately after contact
• Apply cool, moist compresses to blisters for 30 minutes, 3 times a day
• Take cool baths with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal
• Wear smooth textured cotton clothes
• Avoid scratching

MEDICATIONS

• Antihistamine lotions
• Hydrocortisone creams

PRECAUTIONS AND AVOIDANCES

• Avoid contact with irritants, such as plants, chemicals, cleaning solvents, and other toxic substances
• Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, long pants, gloves
• Use soaps without dyes or perfumes
• Once an allergy has developed, it remains for life

SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF:

• Rash does not improve or continues to spread after a couple of days
• Itching is severe and distracting
• Rash is painful
• You have a rash often and are not sure what it is
• You suspect an infection