How common is burning skin in contact dermatitis?

Irritant contact dermatitis can follow direct damage from substances such as cleansers, solvents or repeated wet work. Allergic contact dermatitis involves a sensitivity to a particular ingredient or material. The affected area often follows the contact pattern, but symptoms may spread beyond it. Burning skin has several possible causes, so the symptom alone cannot identify contact dermatitis.

Stop using any newly introduced product that touches the area and rinse gently if exposure was recent. Choose fragrance-free skin care, avoid scrubbing and apply a bland moisturiser while the skin settles. Keep a short record of products, gloves, hair dyes, jewellery or workplace exposures. A clinician can recommend treatment and may consider patch testing when an allergy is suspected.

Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, widespread blistering, fever or rapidly worsening pain. Arrange a review if the rash involves the eyes, mouth or genitals, shows signs of infection, or does not improve after the suspected exposure is stopped. A clinician can check whether another skin condition is present.

Ask which exposure best fits the timing and distribution, whether you should avoid a whole product category or one ingredient, and whether patch testing is appropriate. Ask how to protect your skin at work and which treatment is suitable for the affected body area.