Top Tips on How to Prevent Contact Dermatitis This Summer Season

The warm summer season is upon us! The arrival of summer means more time spent outside and increased opportunities for coming into contact with irritating substances and external environmental elements that trigger unwanted skin rashes. 

In dermatology settings, these nasty rashes are better known as contact dermatitis, and there are a number of things that can trigger it. To help you stay comfortable and keep your skin in tip-top shape this summer season, use our dermatologists’ tips below on how to prevent contact dermatitis! 

 

What is Contact Dermatitis?

Before we jump into our top tips on preventing contact dermatitis, let’s first cover what this common skin condition actually is. 

Contact dermatitis is simply a skin rash that pops up when you touch, are exposed to, or have a reaction to a certain substance. Many of these reactions occur in the setting of contact with plants/shrubbery.

While contact dermatitis is not life-threatening, it can certainly be itchy and uncomfortable, which is why it’s important to learn as much as you can about what causes contact dermatitis on your skin. 

 

Tips on Preventing Contact Dermatitis 

The only true way to prevent contact dermatitis is to avoid coming into contact with the irritant or allergen that causes it. Our easy-to-follow tips mentioned below will help you do so! 

 

Be extra aware of your surroundings. 

This step is especially important when out and about in nature, such as camping, hiking, or on a walk. 

These are the ultimate summer activities, but they’re also prime time for coming into proximity with well-known contact dermatitis triggers, like poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and certain types of flowers. 

To ward off any unwanted contact dermatitis rashes, we recommend becoming familiar with how these plants look and where they’re most likely to show up. 

 

Stay dry and wear lightweight clothing. 

Heat, humidity, and contact dermatitis do not mix well together. Heat and humidity may cause sweating, making the rashes caused by contact dermatitis worse – especially if you have sensitive skin! 

This is why it’s essential to stay dry and wear lightweight clothing that wicks away moisture to prevent any further skin irritation. 

 

Wear protective clothing when necessary. 

While outdoors in the toasty summer temperatures, it’s also imperative to protect your skin to prevent contact dermatitis. 

For instance, if you’re gardening, doing yard work outdoors, or hiking around unknown plants and foliage, make sure to wear socks and gloves to protect your skin from external elements. Furthermore, exposure to sun rays can also trigger a skin rash, so when outdoors, make sure to wear ample UPF clothing! 

 

Uncover your specific contact dermatitis triggers. 

Did you know that some people are allergic to certain ingredients in sunscreen or certain chemicals, such as those in pools? To prevent any future contact dermatitis rashes from cropping up on your skin, it’s important to uncover your specific contact dermatitis triggers. 

In order to determine your triggers, a dermatologist may want to perform a patch test. Patch testing is a procedure used to identify causes of contact dermatitis, such as household chemicals, perfumes, or various metals (like nickel). 

If you want to learn more about patch testing or how to uncover your contact dermatitis triggers, please contact the Center for Surgical Dermatology! 

 

Contact Dermatitis Treatment at the Center for Surgical Dermatology 

Are you, or someone you know, suffering from an uncomfortable rash caused by contact dermatitis? 

At the Center for Surgical Dermatology, our board-certified dermatologists are experienced in diagnosing and treating contact dermatitis to help our patients find relief! Get in touch with us today to learn more about our contact dermatitis treatment. Call us at (614) 847-4100 or contact us online for additional information. 

 

Center for Surgical Dermatology is the largest medical and surgical skin treatment and wellness facility in Central Ohio. Since 2007, our board-certified dermatologists, fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons, and caring professional staff have provided patients with treatment they can trust in an environment second to none. Learn more about our state-of-the-art Dermatology Center before booking your appointment today.