Contact dermatitis is caused by external substances irritating the skin.
There is a lot you can do to help protect yourself against the aggravating factor and alleviate the symptoms. Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema that is caused by contact either with an irritant, toxic substance, or with a substance that you are allergic to. Many of the substances that lead to contact dermatitis are found in the working environment. Often called occupational dermatitis, the condition is so common that it is responsible for the loss of many working days every year.