Description

Dermatitis is a common condition that causes swelling and irritation of the skin. It has many causes and forms, and often involves itchy, dry skin, or a skin rash. Or it might cause the skin to blister, ooze, crust or flake. Three common types of this condition are atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is also known as eczema.

The Dermatitis is not contagious, but it can be very uncomfortable. Moisturizing regularly helps control the symptoms. Treatment may also include medicated ointments, creams, and shampoos.

Symptoms

Each type of dermatitis tends to occur in a different part of the body. Symptoms may include:

  • The itching that can be painful.
  • Dry, cracked, flaky skin, more typical in the white skin.
  • Rash, inflamed skin that varies in color according to the color of the skin.
  • Blisters, maybe with oozing and crusting.
  • The dandruff.
  • Thickening of the skin.
  • Small bumps, more typical in brown or Black skin.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if:

  • You're so uncomfortable that the condition affects sleep and daily activities.
  • Your skin is painful.
  • You have an infection of the skin — the search for new veins, pus, crusts of yellow color.
  • You have symptoms, even after attempting to self-care measures.

Seek medical attention right away if you have a fever and the rash looks infected.

Causes

A common cause of contact dermatitis with something that irritates the skin or triggers an allergic reaction. Examples of this type of things are poison ivy, perfume, lotion, and jewelry containing nickel. Other causes of dermatitis include dry skin, a viral infection, bacteria, stress, genetics, and a problem with the immune system.

Risk factors

Common risk factors for dermatitis include:

  • Age. The Dermatitis may occur at any age, but atopic dermatitis is more common in children than in adults. It often starts in childhood.
  • Allergies, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. People who have a personal or family history of atopic dermatitis, allergies, hay fever, or asthma are more likely to develop atopic dermatitis.
  • Of the occupation. The work that is put into contact with certain metals, solvents, or cleaning supplies increase your risk of contact dermatitis. Being a health care worker is linked to eczema of the hands.
  • Other health conditions. Health conditions that put you at increased risk of seborrheic dermatitis include Parkinson's disease, immunodeficiency, and HIV / AIDS .

Complications

Repeated scratching that breaks the skin, it can cause open sores and cracks. These increase the risk of infection by bacteria and fungi. These skin infections can spread and become life-threatening, although this is rare.

In people with brown and Black skin, dermatitis could cause the affected skin to darken or lighten. These conditions are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and post-inflammatory hypopigmentation. It could take months or years for the skin to return to its usual color.

Prevention

Wear protective clothing, if you are doing a task that involves irritant or caustic chemical.

The development of a basic skin care routine can also help prevent dermatitis. The following habits can help reduce the effects of drying bath:

  • Spend less time in baths and showers. Limit your bath or shower, about 10 minutes. Use lukewarm water, not hot, water. Bath oil can also be useful.
  • Use a mild soap or a soapless cleanser. Choose a cleaning product that has no dyes, alcohols and fragrance. Some soaps can dry the skin. For young children, who usually only need hot water to get clean — no soap or bubble bath necessary. Do not rub the skin with a cloth or a sponge.
  • Pat dry. After bathing, gently pat the skin with a soft towel. Avoid aggressive rubbing.
  • Hydrate all skin.While the skin is still damp to seal in moisture with an oil, cream or lotion. Hydrate throughout the day as needed. Many moisturizers are sold. Try different products to find one that works for you. The ideal moisturizer is safe, fragrance-free, effective, affordable and you'd like to use on a regular basis. Examples include Vanicream, Eucerin, CeraVe and Cetaphil.

Hydrate all skin. While the skin is still damp to seal in moisture with an oil, cream or lotion. Hydrate throughout the day as needed.

Many moisturizers are sold. Try different products to find one that works for you. The ideal moisturizer is safe, fragrance-free, effective, affordable and you'd like to use on a regular basis. Examples include Vanicream, Eucerin, CeraVe and Cetaphil.

Diagnosis

To diagnose dermatitis, it is likely that your doctor will examine your skin and talk with you about your symptoms and medical history. You may need to have a small piece of skin for study in a laboratory, which helps to rule out other conditions. This procedure is called a biopsy of the skin.

Patch testing

Your doctor may suggest a patch test to identify the cause of your symptoms. In this test, small amounts of potential allergens are put in sticky patches. Then, the patches are placed on the skin. To stay in the skin for 2 to 3 days. During this time, you need to keep your back dry. Then, the doctor checks reactions of the skin under the patches and determines if further testing is needed.

Treatment

The treatment for dermatitis varies, depending on the cause and the symptoms. If the home care steps do not relieve your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a medication. Possible treatments include:

  • The application of the eruption of a prescription-strength corticosteroid cream, gel or ointment.
  • The application of the eruption of a cream or ointment with a calcineurin inhibitor. This is a medicine that affects the immune system. You will need a prescription from your doctor for this.
  • Expose the eruption of controlled amounts of natural or artificial light. This method is called light therapy or phototherapy.
  • The use of the prescription-strength pills or medication injected, to a more severe illness. Examples include corticosteroids, oral or injectable biologic called dupilumab.
  • The use of wet dressings, medical treatment for severe atopic dermatitis. This involves the application of a corticosteroid ointment, wrapping it with bandages and wet and filled with a layer of dry gauze.

Lifestyle and home remedies

These self-care habits can help manage the dermatitis and feel better:

  • Apply an anti-itch cream or ointment. Try 1% hydrocortisone cream or ointment (Cortizone 10, other). This is a product that you can buy in a store without a prescription. Use 1 to 2 times a day for a couple of days. Try cooling in the refrigerator before applying.
  • Moisturize the skin. Apply a moisturizer once or twice a day, as a top layer over any medicated cream that you are using. Ointments and creams tend to protect the skin better than lotions with a high water content. Choose a product that has no dyes, alcohols, perfumes and other ingredients that can irritate the skin. Allow the moisturizer to absorb into the skin before dressing.
  • Apply a cool, wet cloth. Place cool, wet washcloth on the rash of 15 to 30 minutes several times a day. This can help to soothe the skin.
  • Take a hot bath. Sprinkle the bath water with finely ground oatmeal to the bath. You can see this in the store labeled as colloidal oatmeal (Aveeno, other). Soak for about 10 minutes, and then dry. Apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp. A lotion with 12% ammonium lactate, help with skin flaky and dry.
  • The use of medicated shampoos. For dandruff, first attempt over-the-counter shampoos that contain selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, coal tar, or ketoconazole. If that doesn't help, talk with your doctor about a strong shampoo, such as those available only with a prescription.
  • Taking a bath bleach.This can help people with severe atopic dermatitis by decreasing bacteria on the skin. For diluted bleach bath, add 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) of bleach, non-bleach, concentrated to a 40-gallon (151-liter) bathtub filled with warm water. The measurements are for an AMERICAN standard size bathtub filled to the overflow drain holes. Soak from the neck down or just the affected areas for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not put your head under the water. Rinse with tap water, and then dry. Taking a bath bleach 2 to 3 times a week. Many people have had success using a diluted vinegar bath instead of a bath of bleach. Add 1 cup (236 ml) of vinegar to a bathtub filled with warm water. Talk with your doctor if any of these approaches is a good idea for you.
  • Protect your skin. Avoid rubbing and scratching. Cover the affected area with a bandage if you can't avoid scratching it. Trim the nails and wear gloves at night. While your skin heals, stay out of the sun or the use of other sun protection measures.
  • Avoid known irritants or allergens. Avoid rough and scratchy clothing. And we try to identify and remove allergens and other things in your environment that could irritate your skin.
    The fragrances are used in skin care products are one of the common allergens. Avoid the use of perfumes, colognes, and scented soaps, deodorants, and detergents. Choose the perfume of the options. Avoid the use of fabric softeners in the washer or dryer.
  • Manage stress. Emotional stress can cause some types of dermatitis of bengal. Be aware that stress and anxiety and take steps to improve your emotional health can help your skin too.

Taking a bath bleach. This can help people with severe atopic dermatitis by decreasing bacteria on the skin. For diluted bleach bath, add 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) of bleach, non-bleach, concentrated to a 40-gallon (151-liter) bathtub filled with warm water. The measurements are for an AMERICAN standard size bathtub filled to the overflow drain holes. Soak from the neck down or just the affected areas for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not put your head under the water. Rinse with tap water, and then dry. Taking a bath bleach 2 to 3 times a week.

Many people have had success using a diluted vinegar bath instead of a bath of bleach. Add 1 cup (236 ml) of vinegar to a bathtub filled with warm water.

Talk with your doctor if any of these approaches is a good idea for you.

Alternative medicine

Many alternative therapies, including those listed below, have helped some people to manage their dermatitis.

  • Taking dietary supplements, such as vitamin D and probiotics for atopic dermatitis.
  • The application of rice bran broth of the skin, for atopic dermatitis.
  • The use of 5% tea tree oil, shampoo for dandruff.
  • The application of an aloe products for the skin in seborrheic dermatitis.
  • Taking Chinese herbal therapy.

The evidence as to whether these approaches is mixed. And sometimes herbal and traditional remedies cause irritation or allergic reaction.

Alternative therapies are sometimes called integrative medicine. If you are considering dietary supplements or other integrative medicine approaches, talk with your doctor about their pros and cons.

Preparing for your appointment

It may be that your concerns to the attention of your primary care provider. Or you can see a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions (dermatologist) or allergies (allergist).

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

  • List of the symptoms, when they occurred and how long they lasted. Also, it can help to the list of factors that trigger or worsen their symptoms — such as soaps or detergents, tobacco smoke, sweat, or long, hot showers.
  • Make a list of all the medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbs you are taking. Better yet, take the original bottles, and a list of the dose and directions.
  • List of questions to ask your health care provider. Ask questions when you want something clarified.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you some questions. Be prepared to respond to them can free up the time to go through any of the points that you want to devote more time. Your doctor may ask:

  • Do your symptoms come and go, or are fairly constant?
  • How often do you shower or bathe?
  • What products do you use in the skin, such as soaps, lotions, and cosmetics?
  • What household cleaning products do you use?
  • They are exposed to potential irritants from your work or hobbies?
  • You've been under a lot of stress or depression lately?
  • How much your symptoms affect your quality of life, including your ability to sleep?
  • What treatments have been tried up to now? Nothing has helped?
Symptoms and treatment of Dermatitis