Glossary for Contact dermatitis

• Allergic Disorders: A group of disorders that a caused by an allergic response to allergens
• Allergic reaction: An acute reaction through exposure to a particular allergen
• Allergies: Immune system over-reaction to various substances.
• Allergy-like conditions: Medical conditions with similar effects to those of allergies.
• Athlete's foot: Fungal skin condition typically of feet or toes.
• Atopic dermatitis: Skin disorder characterized by chronic inflammation, and pruritis. Often hereditary and associated with allergic rhinitis and asthma.
• Black mustard poisoning: Black mustard is commonly used as a spice or seasoning as well as a beneficial oil in naturopathy. It contains a chemical called ally isothiocyanate which can cause severe skin and respiratory system irritation in humans. Mustard oil is sold illegally in the US.
• Blisters: Blistering of the skin.
• Bullous Pemphigoid: A chronic skin disorder characterized blistering of the skin which usually occurs on the joints, abdomen, armpit and groin areas.
• Buttercup poisoning: The buttercup plant contains a toxic compound called protoanemonin. The plant is most toxic while it is flowering with the sap being poisonous portion of the plant. Poisoning by eating the plant is unlikely due to the fact that skin contact is quite painful.
• Cellulitis: Inflammation of skin or subcutaneous tissues.
• Chemical poisoning -- Abietic Acid: Abietic Acid is a chemical derived from coniferous trees and used commercially in products such as varnish, soap, and lacquer. Ingestion and other exposures to the chemical can cause various symptoms. The type and severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of chemical involved and the nature of the exposure.
• Chemical poisoning -- Adipic Acid: Adipic Acid is a chemical used in a variety of applications from flavoring and setting aid in foods to production of nylons, paints, plasticizers and lubricants . Ingestion and other exposures to the chemical can cause various symptoms. The type and severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of chemical involved and the nature of the exposure.
• Chemical poisoning -- Alachlor: Alachlor is a herbicide. Ingestion and other exposures to the chemical can cause various symptoms. The type and severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of chemical involved and the nature of the exposure.
• Chemical poisoning -- Benzaldehyde: Benzaldehyde is a chemical with an almond-like odor and is therefore often used as a food flavoring. It is also use as an industrical solvent. . Ingestion and other exposures to the chemical can cause various symptoms. The type and severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of chemical involved and the nature of the exposure.
• Chemical poisoning -- Polyethylene Glycol -- Low Molecular Weight: Low molecular weight polyethylene glycol is a chemical used mainly in hair products, cosmetics, topical medications and in Lava lamps. Ingestion and other exposures to the chemical can cause various symptoms. The type and severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of chemical involved and the nature of the exposure.
• Chemical poisoning -- Pyrethroid: Pyrethroid is a pyrethroid chemical used as an insecticide. The chemical is toxic to the nerve system. Ingestion and other exposures to the chemical can cause various symptoms. The type and severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of chemical involved and the nature of the exposure.
• Chickenpox: Common viral infection.
• Child health conditions: Any medical conditions typically afflicting children.
• Cracked skin: Cracking skin areas
• Daffodil poisoning: Daffodils contain a toxic chemical which can cause poisoning symptoms if ingested. The plant also has the potential to cause skin reactions in susceptible people. The daffodil bulb contains the highest concentration of toxins and accidental ingestion has occurred when the bulb has been mistaken for an onion bulb.
• Dandruff: White flaking and dryness of the scalp.
• Dermatitis: General name for any type of skin inflammation.
• Discoid eczema: Discoid eczema is a common form of skin inflammation and irritation characterized by its round or oval shape. The size of the lesions may vary from a few millimetres to centimetres across. The cause is unknown but minor injuries such as insect bites may be triggers. The lesions tend to occur most often on the limbs.
• Dry skin: Dryness of the skin.
• Eczema: Eczema is a chronic skin condition characterized by skin inflammation and irritation. The severity of extent of the condition is highly variable. It may be caused by allergies, irritants or other factors such as stress.
• English Ivy poisoning: English Ivy is a poisonous vine fund in Europe, US and Canada. The leaves and berries are the most toxic part of the plant but all parts of the plant are toxic. Falcarinol and polyacetylene are the toxic chemicals found in the plant.
• Erysipelas: A severe streptococcal bacterial infection where infection spreads from the skin to tissue underneath. The face and extremities are the usual sites affected.
• Eucalyptus Oil poisoning: Eucalyptus oil can be used for medicinal purposes but excessive ingestion can cause problems. Likewise, eating the leaves of the eucalyptus plant (very unlikely) can also cause poisoning symptoms.
• Exfoliative dermatitis: Form of dermatitis where skin flakes or falls off.
• Hand conditions: Any condition that affects the hand
• Herbal Agent adverse reaction -- Chamomile: Chamomile can be used as a herbal agent sometimes used topically to treat inflammation and internally to treat indigestion. The herbal agent is derived from substances such as the flower pollen which can cause hypersensitivity reaction in susceptible people.
• Herbal Agent adverse reaction -- Chaparral: Chaparral can be used as a herbal agent to treat abdominal cramps, pain and acne. The herbal agent contains a chemical called NDGA which can cause an adverse reaction in some people. Skin contact can also result in dermatitis. Patients with preexisting liver or kidney conditions are particularly susceptible to an adverse reaction to the herbal agent.
• Herbal Agent adverse reaction -- Rue: Rue can be used to induce abortion, as a topical insect repellant or to treat spasms and delayed menstruation. The herbal agent contains chemicals (alkaloids, arborine, arborinine) which can cause an adverse reaction in some people.
• Herbal Agent adverse reaction -- Sassafras Oil: Sassafras Oil can be used as a herbal agent to treat skin irritation such as insect bites. The herbal agent contains a chemical called safrole which can cause harmful effects if ingested .
• Herbal Agent overdose -- Feverfew: Feverfew can be used as a herbal agent to treat menstrual discomfort, fever and migraines. The herbal agent contains a chemical called parthenolide which can cause an adverse reaction in some people and various gastrointestinal symptoms if excessive quantities are taken. It may also cause bleeding problems in patients on blood thinning drugs.
• Hives: Weals on the skin due to an allergic reaction.
• Immune disorders: Disorders that affect the immune system
• Impetigo: Contagious skin rash from bacteria
• Intertrigo: Skin inflammation from rubbing together of two skin areas
• Itching: Itching feeling of the skin.
• Itching skin: Itching feeling of the skin.
• Nummular dermatitis: A skin disorder characterized by the development of round or oval skin lesions which itch and burn. In the initial stages, small red spots or blisters form and the grow and joint together to form a patch. The lesion eventually looks similar to a ringworm infection with a clear centre and a distinct border. The causes of some cases includes mercury fillings and allergy to rubber, nickel, formaldehyde or neomycin.
• Oleander poisoning: The oleander is a flowering shrub or small tree which bears clusters of flowers. The plant originated from Eurasia and is often used as an ornamental plant. The plant contains chemicals (cardiac glycosides: nerioside, oleandroside; saponins) which are very toxic if ingested. The plant is considered highly toxic and can result in death if sufficient quantities are eaten. The toxicity within a species can vary depending on the season. As little as seven leaves have been reported to cause poisoning symptoms. Poisoning can occur from inhaling smoke from burning oleander leaves.
• Pemphigus Vulgaris: A severe autoimmune skin disease characterized by blistering of the skin including the mucous membranes inside the mouth and esophagus.
• Pinworm: Small, threadlike parasitic worms mainly in colon and rectum
• Porphyria Cutanea Tarda: A rare metabolic condition involving a deficiency of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. This results in a buildup of porphyrins in the skin which makes it sensitive to light. Most symptoms tend to primarily affected the areas of skin most exposed to sun e.g. back of hands and arms.
• Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition where the defective immune system causes skin cells to grow rapidly. It affects a significant number of people. Arthritis, which can be severe, is associated with the psoriasis in up to a third of cases. Not all patients who are susceptible to the condition will develop it - roughly 10% of those susceptible will actually develop the condition. There are various environmental factors which can trigger the onset of the disease e.g. strep throat (common trigger), some medication, stress and cold weather. Once the disease develops, it may resolve on its own or with treatment or may become a persistent chronic condition. The severity and duration of symptoms is variable.
• Red skin: The occurrence of red skin
• Rosacea-like conditions: Medical conditions highly related to or similar to rosacea.
• Scabies: Mite infection of the skin common in institutions.
• Shingles: Infectious viral infection occuring years after chickenpox infection.
• Skin conditions: Any condition that affects the skin
• Skin rash: A reaction to the exposure of the skin to an allergen
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: A rare but serious condition involving inflammation and blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. It is believed to be an allergic reaction that can occur in response to some drugs or infectious diseases.
• Tinea: A general term for various fungal skin afflictions; often incorrectly called ringworm.
• Type IV Hypersensitivity: Type IV hypersensitivity is an exaggerated response by the body's immune system upon exposure to a particular substance which results in some sort of adverse effect on the body. The immune system response is mediated by T-cells. Symptoms are delayed - usually days after the exposure. There are a number of different manifestations that can occur.
• Urticaria: A vascular reaction of the upper dermis that is marked by elevated patches

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