Utah Master Esthetician Practice Exam

Touching a product or a chemical that causes a reaction is called _______?

1. Chemical burn

2. Contact Dermatitis

3. Allergic reaction

4. Skin irritation

The correct answer is: Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis refers to a skin reaction that occurs when a substance makes contact with the skin, triggering an inflammatory response. This condition can be caused by various irritants or allergens present in products or chemicals that an individual may use. When someone has contact dermatitis, it can manifest as redness, itching, swelling, or even blisters, depending on the severity of the reaction. It typically arises from direct contact with irritating substances or allergens and can affect anyone, regardless of their skin type. While allergic reactions involve the immune system's response to a specific allergen, contact dermatitis does not necessarily involve an immune response; it can also occur from irritation even in individuals who have no prior history of sensitivity. This differentiates contact dermatitis from allergic reactions, which require previous exposure and sensitization to a substance. Skin irritation can be a component of contact dermatitis, but without the specific context of being caused by a contact situation with a product or chemical, it does not capture the full scope of the skin's reaction involved as specifically as contact dermatitis does. The term "chemical burn" typically signifies more severe damage resulting from harsh chemicals, rather than a milder inflammatory response. Therefore, contact dermatitis is the term best suited to describe the condition where touching a product