Living and Thriving with a Chronic Skin Condition

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Did you know that as dermatologists, we diagnose and treat over 3,000 skin conditions? One of the most common—and tricky—ones is allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).

It's an inflammatory skin condition that causes a rash in areas where your skin has made contact with an allergen. Typically, you won’t notice the rash right away; it usually appears 24 to 48 hours after contact, making it a classic case of delayed-type hypersensitivity. What makes ACD so challenging? Well, almost anything can trigger it! Common culprits hide in our everyday beauty and personal care products—think fragrances, botanicals, and preservatives.

Check out this week’s podcast with Dr. Mani Javvaji, where she shares her experience with allergic contact dermatitis and offers advice and tips for managing this chronic skin condition.

KEY POINTS FROM THIS EPISODE

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common allergic skin condition characterized by a red, itchy rash that occurs 24 to 48 hours after exposure to an allergen.
ACD affects one in every five people and can be controlled but not cured.
Patch testing is the gold standard for diagnosing ACD and involves placing allergen-containing patches on the back for 48 hours to identify specific allergens.
Common allergens in ACD include nickel, neosporin, fragrances, and certain preservatives.
Managing ACD requires careful reading of product ingredient labels and making lifestyle changes to avoid allergens.
Natural products labeled as 'natural' can still contain botanical ingredients that trigger ACD.
Use testing, applying a small amount of a product to the inner elbow, can help determine if it will cause a reaction.
Seek help from a dermatologist or allergist specializing in ACD for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Protect emotional well-being by finding support from online communities or therapists, and practicing self-compassion.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE BELOW

ABOUT DR. JAVVAJI

Dr. Mani Javvaji (@Mani.Jaye.MD) is a Columbia-University trained double board-certified Dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs skin cancer Surgeon. She has sensitive skin and was diagnosed with skin allergies known as allergic contact dermatitis during her dermatology training. She is allergic to over a dozen ingredients in skincare products and like many others with allergic contact dermatitis, has to very carefully navigate the world of ultra-sensitive skin. Because of her unique first-hand experience, she loves educating on skincare to help others feel comfortable and happy in their skin.

Outside of dermatology, her passions include productivity and work-life balance, especially sharing helpful ways we can make small changes to our lives to live a happier life we love. Having a chronic skin condition has ultimately taught her to make more time for the things that bring us joy.

Find Dr. Trotter here:

INSTAGRAM: @mani.jaye.md

TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@mani.jaye.md

YOUTUBE: youtube.com/@ManiJayeMD