contact dermatitis, rash, eczema rash, red skin rash, rash causes, itchy rash causes, allergic dermatitis causesHave a red, sore itchy rash after wearing that new bracelet? It could result from allergic contact dermatitis, a skin reaction to something -- jewelry, fragrance or other substances -- with which you've had contact.

Mayo Clinic Health Letter lists the top 10 causes of contact dermatitis that were recently identified by Mayo Clinic researchers:

Nickel, commonly found on jewelry clasps or buttons

  • Gold, usually worn as jewelry
  • Balsam of Peru, a fragrance used in skin care products and perfume
  • Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in vaccines
  • Neomycin sulfate, a topical antibiotic
  • Synthetic fragrance mix
  • Formaldehyde, a preservative that can be found in paper products, paints, building materials, medications, household cleaners and fabric finishes
  • Cobalt chloride, a metal found in medical products, hair dye, antiperspirants, and in snaps, buttons and tools
  • Bacitracin, a topical antibiotic
  • Quaternium-15, a preservative found in skin care products and in industrial products such as paints, polishes and waxes

Skin allergy patch testing can confirm allergies to these substances.