Contact dermatitis


Contact dermatitis: A skin condition caused by contact between skin and some substance. Includes irritant contact dermatitis (a rash brought on purely by repeated irritation from a substance such as water causing “dish pan hands”) and allergic contact dermatitis (involving a specific sensitivity or allergy to a specific substance such as poison ivy).

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  • Contact dermatitis, allergic

    Contact dermatitis, allergic: Also called allergic contact eczema, this is a red, itchy, weepy reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison ivy or certain preservatives in creams and lotions.

  • Contact eczema

    A localized reaction that includes redness, itching, and burning where the skin has come into contact with an allergen (an allergy-causing substance) or with an irritant such as an acid, a cleaning agent or another chemical.

  • Contact eczema, allergic

    Also called allergic contact dermatitis, this is a red, itchy, weepy reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison ivy or certain preservatives in creams and lotions.

  • Contact healing

    Contact healing: Another name for the alternative medicine practice of laying on of hands. See: Laying on of hands. See also: Therapeutic touch.

  • Contagious

    Contagious: capable of being transmitted from one human to another human via direct or indirect contact.


Disclaimer: Contact dermatitis definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.