Eczema (Contact Dermatitis)

Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema triggered by direct exposure to an irritant or allergen. Unlike atopic or dyshidrotic eczema, it's not usually systemic or chronic — but when the skin’s barrier is weak, even everyday substances can provoke redness, itching, or blistering.

• Location of Symptom

  Hands, wrists, fingers

  Face (especially around eyes and mouth)

  Neck, ears, or behind the knees

  Any area that comes into contact with a reactive substance

  Can be bilateral (both sides) or isolated depending on exposure

• Common Signs

  Red, itchy patches in the same location each time

  Rash flares after using soaps, cosmetics, gloves, jewelry, or fragrances

  Mild swelling or blistering in affected areas

  Burning or stinging sensation on skin contact

  Dry, cracked, or scaly skin in chronically exposed areas

  Symptoms improve when the offending product is removed

• Physiological Breakdown

  The skin is designed to act like a security fence — keeping moisture in and irritants out. But when that barrier gets damaged, even harmless things like soap or metal can feel like invaders.

  Imagine your skin like a screen door that’s been torn open. Normally, it filters and protects. But if it’s worn down (by over-washing, harsh products, or dehydration), outside substances get in too easily — causing a local immune flare, redness, and discomfort. If it’s an allergic type, the immune system overreacts to even tiny exposures. And if it’s an irritant type, the damage builds over time like slow erosion.

  Reactions usually appear within hours to days after contact and resolve once the trigger is removed and the skin is repaired.

• Physiological Triggers

  These are direct exposures that initiate the reaction:

  Contact with harsh soaps, detergents, or cleaning chemicals

  Fragrances, essential oils, or preservatives in skincare

  Latex, nickel, rubber, or synthetic clothing dyes

  Sweat + friction in an already irritated area

  Hand sanitizer, alcohol-based rubs, or over-washing

  Contact with plant allergens (e.g., poison ivy)

• Rudimentary Root Causes

  These are source-level imbalances that allow the physiological triggers to take hold.

  Weakened skin barrier from over-cleansing, dehydration, or stripping agents

  Constitutional dryness or heat (e.g., pitta/thermic types)

  Essential fatty acid deficiency (especially GLA, omega-3s)

  Increased skin permeability from gut or liver dysfunction

  Lack of protective oils in diet or skin routine

  Low tissue resilience from chronic inflammation, trauma, or stress

• Secondary Root Causes

  These are downstream patterns, diagnoses, or lifestyle factors that stem from the rudimentary causes and further perpetuate eczema.

  Occupational exposure (hairdressers, cleaners, chefs, healthcare workers)

  Use of steroid creams → thinning skin and barrier erosion

  Inappropriate skincare routines (overuse of exfoliants, acids, retinoids)

  Underlying eczema terrain (e.g., atopic dermatitis)

  Prolonged exposure to stress → adrenal dysregulation, skin hypersensitivity

• Underlying Tissue States

  The following tissue states may represent underlying imbalances contributing to this symptom:

  Heat/Excitation

  Dry/Atrophy

  Wind/Tension (if paired with nervous system hyper-reactivity)

• Organ Systems Affected

  Integumentary (skin barrier function)

  Immune (local response, histamine, IgE)

  Nervous (itch response, stress reactivity)

  Liver (in allergen-type reactions, detoxification support)

• Recommended Exploration Topics

  Skin barrier repair and gentle product rotation

  Traditional oiling and nourishment techniques for dry skin

  Histamine reactions vs. irritation: how to tell the difference

  Dietary contributions to dry or reactive skin

  Liver support in allergic-type skin conditions

  Nervous system regulation to reduce reactivity

Do your skin symptoms appear in the same spot each time you use certain products? Are your hands or face exposed daily to soaps, cleaners, or cosmetics? Has your skin become more sensitive over time, even to things that once felt fine? Do you feel like your skin flares more when you’re stressed or sleep-deprived? Are you in an environment (home or work) where your skin is always in contact with possible irritants? Do you use many products with alcohol, fragrances, or strong ingredients that might disrupt your skin barrier? If your skin keeps flaring in response to your daily environment or products — even "natural" ones — it’s a sign your barrier needs repair and your terrain needs care. Book a session to explore what’s weakening your skin’s defenses and how to rebuild from the inside out.

Disclaimer

Each person’s condition has a unique root cause, and lifestyle, diet and herbal remedies must be tailored to the individual. The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized care. If you’d like support in understanding your specific situation, please reach out to me for guidance.