Hudirritationer

Hudirritationer, or skin irritations, refer to non-infectious skin inflammations caused by irritants, allergens, or physical factors. The term covers conditions such as irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and eczema-like states such as atopic dermatitis.

Common causes include irritants such as detergents, solvents, soaps, and cleaning agents; contact allergens like nickel, fragrances, and preservatives; and physical factors including friction, heat, or sun exposure. Occupational exposure and frequent handwashing are notable risk factors.

Typical symptoms are redness, itching, burning, dryness, swelling, and sometimes cracking, blistering, or oozing. The affected skin is usually the part that has been exposed, and itching may precede visible changes.

Diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on history and examination. Patch testing may identify specific allergic triggers. In some cases, infections or other inflammatory skin diseases may need to be ruled out.

Treatment focuses on avoiding triggers, repairing the skin barrier with emollients, and using gentle cleansers. Topical corticosteroids are commonly used to reduce inflammation; calcineurin inhibitors may be alternatives. Severe disease may require systemic therapies under medical supervision.

Prevention involves protective gloves or barrier creams for high-risk exposures, regular moisturization, and choosing fragrance- and dye-free products. Education about irritant avoidance and skin care is central to management.

When to seek care: if symptoms spread, involve the face or genitals, show signs of infection, are severe, or do not improve with basic care, a clinician should evaluate for misdiagnosis or treatment optimization.