r/ContactDermatitisHelp

Hi everyone,

I'm a 20F and have been dealing with this for about 2 months. I'm really concerned.

It started after spending a sunny day outside in April. My face became extremely itchy when I got home. I assumed it was heat rash or a damaged skin barrier, so I switched to a gentle routine (Cetaphil cleanser + moisturizer + aloe vera). My forehead and nose peeled a lot (I had been using Zitcare on my nose for blackheads but stopped because it was making my skin dry). The peeling improved, but my skin was left looking shiny and unusually textured.

A few days later I went out in the sun again. My nose became bright red, my arms developed intense itching with tiny bumps/rough texture, and the next morning I woke up with significant facial swelling.

A dermatologist diagnosed irritant contact dermatitis and prescribed Zempred tablets, Momate ointment for flares, and Benpanthen Sensicalm. The swelling improved within 2 days, but every time I went out in the sun I would flare again, and Momate would calm it down.

A few weeks later I went on an afternoon train journey. My neck and arms became intensely itchy, and by the next morning my entire face was swollen again. The skin around my mouth and under my eyes became extremely dry and peeled so badly that it hurt to open my mouth. Cetirizine helped reduce the swelling but didn't completely resolve it.

I saw another dermatologist, who suspects ?urticaria + irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). She prescribed cetirizine, Physiogel moisturizer, vitamin D, and B-complex + zinc. Mostly the dermats are focusing on using sun protection- spf, umbrella, avoid going out during afternoon etc but I need a permanent fix for this coz I cant keep avoiding going out forever.

My biggest triggers seem to be:

Afternoon sun

Heat/sweating

Hot water

Standing near a stove/flame

Interestingly, I can tolerate early morning sunlight (6–7:30 AM) without any problems.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Does this sound more like heat/cholinergic urticaria, solar urticaria, or dermatitis with urticaria? Did antihistamines help, and how long did it take to improve?

Thanks!