irritant contact dermatitis

[tedstriker]

Hello...can you please advise on ICD????
I had been using a cheap anti-bac handwash on my face on quite a few occasions at the gym...i noticed when i got out the shower after the gym my face was extremely dry and tight....the doctor prescribed daktacort cream but the problem did not go away.
now 5 months on I still have not been properly treated just passed on to different departments barring the one i need dermatology......my face still gets extremely dry no matter what i wash with but once moisterized it is not bad then after a couple of hours when my sebum comes through it stops hurting.
I have no peeling or flaking once i have moisterized after washing and it will not appear again till i wash.
the only area affected is my face where the wash has been, i don't suffer itchyness or redness just excessive dryness from washing.
From these symptoms i think it could be ICD but im not sure seeing as in 5 months i have never been seen or treated.

Does anybody out there have any ideas????

Rob

[Aaas]

I know this is a old post. But I wish this Dr would quit telling everyone to use cetaphil. It has propylene glycol which I am allergic to and is. A allergen and irritant. dermatologists need to tesearch more. She gives the same advice to everyone.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it sounds like irritant contact dermatitis. Irritant dermatitis, the most common type of contact dermatitis, involves inflammation resulting from contact with acids, alkaline materials such as soaps and detergents, cosmetics, or other chemicals.

Avoid using any lotions and creams over the face for the meantime. Wash your face with a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Pat your face dry. Then apply a good hypoallergenic moisturizer over the area and see if this improves. If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid like dermacort.

If the irritation persists then please get it evaluated from a dermatologist. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.