Dermatitis

Dermatitis – General Information

Dermatitis is a “blanket term” used usually in order to define a skin inflammation, such as eczema. There are more types of skin inflammation, but all have in common an allergic reaction to a certain allergen. This disease is not life threatening, nor contagious, but it makes the patient feel uncomfortable. The causes of this medical condition include allergies, genetic factors, mental stressors, physical stressors, and irritants: Contact Dermatitis – this type can result from o direct contact with the allergen. Allergens include: rubber, metals (such as nickel), laundry soap, skin soap, detergents, cleaning products, cosmetics, perfumes, jewelry, and weed (like poison ivy and neomycin). Neuro - Dermatitis - this disease usually appears when something creates an itchy sensation in a zone of the body (such as: the ankles, wrists, outer forearm, arm, back of the neck). This disease can be associated with other medical skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or dry skin. Seborrheic – this disease appears in persons who have oily hair or skin and it may appear depending the season of the year. Stasis – this disease usually appear when in the tissues underneath the skin there is an accumulation of fluid (especially in the lower legs). The fluid accumulation can be caused by varicose veins or other chronic medical conditions which affect the circulation in the legs. Perioral – this is considered to be a form of the skin disorder, named rosacea. The researchers still try to discover the cause of this disease, but they think that moisturizers, make-up, corticosteroids contain fluoride have an important role.

Dermatitis – Symptoms

It is well known the fact that any medical disorder (including Dermatitis) can trigger a variety of symptoms. Therefore, some of this medical condition's most uncommon symptoms have not been listed (mentioned) here. This is why we strongly recommend you to contact your personal health care provider whenever you develop any unusual, bothersome or unpleasant symptoms. Your personal physician will be able to tell you if you are suffering from Dermatitis or from any other medical disorder. Here is a list of the most common symptoms that a person who suffers from this medical condition, may experience: swollen skin, reddened skin, itchy skin, red rash with yellowish and oily scales which usually develop on the scalp, skin lesions, chronic itchy skin (localized itchiness), dandruff, buildup of fluid under the skin, bumpy rash around the mouth, thickening or discoloration of the skin, crusts.

• In the case of the Contact type of the disease the symptoms include: red rash which appears immediately after the contact with the allergen, the skin may blister, raised red rash can develop – this is called hives, itchiness.
  
• In the case of Neuro-Dermatitis the patients may experience: intensely itchy skin, it develops on any zone of the body (especially on the legs, ankles, back, neck, wrists, and forearms), genitals, and anxiety.
  
• In the case of the Seborrheic form of the disease, the patients may experience: skin lesions, plagues on large areas of the body, skin scales, itch, mild redness, greasy and oily areas of the body, and hair loss.
  
• In the case of perioral type, the patients usually have a burning sensation around the mouth.

Dermatitis – Treatment

The treatment of this medical condition differs, depending on what causes it and on the type of this medical condition that a patient has. In the case of the Contact Dermatitis the treatment is primarily based on finding the cause if the rash and then to avoid it. Doctors usually prescribe creams which contain hydrocortisone or other steroidal creams which are useful in relieving the itchiness and also the redness. The treatment should be done from 2 to 4 weeks in order for the patient to be completely cured. In the case of the Neuro-Dermatitis, patients are advised to avoid scratching and the aggravating their skin. This treatment is also based on hydrocortisone creams and lotions which help to soothe the skin. Another thing which may relieve the skin is the wet compresses. Doctors also recommend antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs in some of the cases. In the cases of Seborrheic Dermatitis the doctors initially recommend medicated shampoos (which contain tar, pyrithione zinc, ketoconazole, salicylic acid). The hydrocortisone lotions can be used in the seborrheic cases in which the disease is not localized on the scalp. The doctor may also prescribe medicines such as: tacrolimus or pimecrolimus which are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

In the case of the Statis Dermatitis the initially treatment consists of detecting and correcting the cause which leads to the accumulation of the fluid in the legs and other areas of the body. Patients may be needed to have a varicose vein surgery and to use wet dressings in order to soften the thickened skin and also to control the infection. In the cases of Atopic dermatitis the treatment is also based on the hydrocortisone creams and lotions applied to the affected areas. In the cases when the skin of the patients cracks open, the doctors usually recommend wet dressings in order to contract the patients’ skin. In the cases with severe itchiness, the doctor usually prescribes antihistamines. In order to prevent recurrences the patients may submit a light therapy which consists of exposing their skin to controlled doses of natural or artificial light. The doctor may also prescribe medicines such as: tacrolimus or pimecrolimus which are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In the Perioral type, the treatment is based on oral antibiotics (such as Tetracycline) and it must be taken for a few months in order to prevent recurrence. In order to reduce the signs and symptoms, the doctor recommends a corticosteroid based cream.