This image displays an allergy to the nickel found in the watch case.  The result is a scaly, itchy, persistent skin rash where the watch touches the skin. This image displays fluid-filled blisters from an intense allergic reaction to a topical ointment. This image displays fiddler's neck, contact dermatitis from a violin. Allergic contact dermatitis is marked by redness, swelling, and itching. This child is allergic to the nickel content of the watch he had been wearing. This image displays redness and scaling with a sharp boundary around the affected area typical to contact allergic dermatitis. This image displays a severe contact allergy around the mouth. This image displays the linear areas of redness and scaling typical to a contact allergy.  This image displays a red patch of contact dermatitis on the buttocks.  Allergic contact dermatitis is marked by redness, swelling, and itching. This image displays the scaling, slightly raised lesions typical of allergic contact dermatitis in a child.
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Allergic Contact Dermatitis (Pediatric)  A parent's guide to condition and treatment information

Picture of Allergic Contact Dermatitis (Pediatric): This image displays an allergy to the nickel found in the watch case.  The result is a scaly, itchy, persistent skin rash where the watch touches the skin. Divider line
This image displays an allergy to the nickel found in the watch case. The result is a scaly, itchy, persistent skin rash where the watch touches the skin.
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Self-Care Guidelines
  • Avoid whatever is triggering the dermatitis.
  • Apply cool water compresses to cleanse the area, and then apply over-the-counter 0.5–1% hydrocortisone cream twice daily.
  • Calamine lotion and oral antihistamines (chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine) may reduce the itching.
When to Seek Medical Care
See your child's doctor or a dermatologist for evaluation if the rash does not heal or keeps coming back, and it does not improve with self-care measures.
Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008