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The broad term “dermatitis” is used to describe a typical skin irritant. It has numerous causes and manifestations but typically involves dry, itchy skin or a rash. The skin could also blister, ooze, crust, or flake off as a result. Atopic dermatitis (eczema), seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis are three types of this illness that are frequently seen. When you hear the word “dermatitis,” The term “derm” means skin and “itis” refers to inflammation. The phrase’s overall meaning is “skin inflammation”. Depending on the source, the rashes can range in severity from mild to severe and create a number of issues.
Dermatitis can come in different forms, some of which are more typical than others. Between two and three percent of adults and 25% of children suffer from atopic dermatitis. 15% to 20% of people develop contact dermatitis at some point in their lives.
Although dermatitis is not communicable, it can cause discomfort and self-consciousness. Regular moisturizing helps to manage the symptoms. Medicated shampoos, lotions, and ointments may also be used as treatment.
Symptoms
The location of each type of dermatitis on your body varies. Some warning signs and symptoms include:
- Skin itchiness or dryness
- Dandruff (flaking skin)
- Thickening skin
- Hair follicle bumps
- Crusting or oozing blister
- Skin rash that is swollen and has a color that varies based on your skin tone
If you notice these symptoms, consult your doctor:
- Extreme pain on the skin
- You think you have an infection on your skin.
- Despite your attempts to practice self-care, your symptoms and indicators still exist.
- You can’t sleep or concentrate on your everyday tasks because you’re so uncomfortable.
Causes
Contact with substances that irritate the skin or create an allergic reaction, such as nickel-containing jewelry, poison ivy, perfume, and lotion, is a typical cause of dermatitis. Dry skin, a bacterial infection, a viral infection, stress, a genetic predisposition, and immune system issues are additional causes of dermatitis.
Risk factors
The following are typical dermatitis risk factors:
- Age. Dermatitis can strike anyone at any age, although atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema) affects children more frequently than adults and typically starts in infancy.
- Allergies and asthma. Atopic dermatitis is more likely to occur in those with a personal or family history of eczema, allergies, hay fever, or asthma.
- Occupation. Your risk of contact dermatitis is increased by jobs that need you to come into contact with specific metals, solvents, or cleaning products. Hand eczema and working in the medical field are related.
- Other health problems. Seborrheic dermatitis is more likely to affect those with congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, and HIV/AIDS.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will probably ask you about your symptoms and examine your skin to see if you have dermatitis. A small piece of skin may need to be removed (biopsied) for laboratory analysis, which aids in ruling out other illnesses.
Patch testing
Patch testing on your skin can be advised by your doctor. Small amounts of various substances are put to your skin during this test, and you are then covered. During visits over the following several days, the doctor examines your skin to check for signs indications of a reaction. Patch testing can be used to identify the precise allergies that are causing your dermatitis.
Treatment
The cause of your dermatitis and your symptoms will determine the best course of treatment. Dermatitis treatment may entail one or more of the following in addition to the lifestyle and home remedy suggestions below:
- Using corticosteroid creams, gels, or ointments to apply to the affected skin.
- Using lotions or ointments that have an immune system-altering effect (calcineurin inhibitors) on the affected skin.
- Phototherapy, which involves exposing the affected area to controlled levels of natural or artificial light.
- Treating severe illness with oral corticosteroids or injectable dupilumab.
- Wet dressings, a medical procedure for treating severe atopic dermatitis that entails putting a corticosteroid on the affected area and covering it with wet bandages.
