This is commonly known as eczema and is a skin disease. This is composed of two words – derma means the skin and ‘itis’ refers to the inflammation or the swelling. Combining, the term means dermatitis – the inflammation or swelling of the skin. There are many things that can contribute to cause eczema. Most generally, is because of general allergy of sensitivity. This will result in atopic eczema and is linked with asthma and hay fever.
The causes of eermatitis:
Contact dermatitis, an inflammation of the skin can occur due to direct contact with some irritants or allergy-causing substances (known as allergens). However, this may vary in the same person over the times.
The risks of developing irritant contact dermatitis are particularly high in the people having eczema affecting the hands.
Any kind of history of any sorts of allergies raises the risks for this condition.
Emotional stress can also contribute to this. Emotions like frustration or embarrassment might lead increasing itchiness and scratching.
Contributing factors involves genetics, duration of exposure, and presence of other skin ailments.
The second commonest type of contact dermatitis is because of exposure to some materials to which a person becomes hypersensitive or allergic.
Atopic dermatitis generally occurs due to allergies and oftentimes, runs in families wherein other family members suffer from asthma or hay fever.
Though the proper cause of this disorder is not known, but is likely because of the combination of dry, irritable skin together with a malfunctioning in the immune system of the body.
Symptoms of dermatitis
There would be skin redness or inflammation to the exposed area. Irritant contact dermatitis often involves the hands those have been exposed by resting in or dipping into some containers (such as sink, pail, and tub) contain the irritants. Tenderness of the skin at the exposed area is also quite common. The itching is generally severe but the rash differs from a mild, short-lived redness to severe inflammation and bigger blisters. Mild swelling and stiffness, tight-feeling skin is often seen.
The skin might itch and perhaps burn. Irritant contact dermatitis inclines to be more painful as compared to the itchy one. Localized swelling of the skin is also seen. Atopic dermatitis might affect the skin around the eyes, the eyelids, and the brows and eyelashes. One can develop fluid-filled sores, which can ooze fluid or crust over.
Types of dermatitis
There are many types of dermatitis such as seborrheic, infantile, perioral, contact, photoalleric, pustular dermatitis, xerotic or winter itch, discoid dermatitis and nummular eczema or nummular dermatitis. Each of the type has its different presentation and so the treatment. Dermatitis could range to any sort of degrees such as minor to life-threatening in case of severe allergic conditions.
The treatment of dermatitis
A doctor recommends antibiotics like flucloxacillin or erythromycin if infection has been turning to complication or causing the severe dermatitis. The infection is most frequently with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes. Some of the dermatologists also prefer prescribing antihistamine tablets that can help reducing the irritation, and are particularly given at night since they cause drowsiness as their far-familiar side effects.
Some of the medical professionals prefer including systemic steroids, azathioprine, phototherapy and some other latest techniques in order to reduce the severity of the cases. Ultraviolet light treatments (UVA, UVB) are also considered to be useful treating various types of dermatitis or eczemas. Wearing soft smooth cool clothes; woolen clothing is best avoided. Hospitalization for treatment of severe dermatitis, which is not responding to other normal/oral treatments, becomes necessary in some cases.
Along with the treatment, the patient who suffers from such condition is advised to protect his or her skin from dusts, dirty waters, solvents, detergents and above all any sort of hurt or injury. A person suffering from any skinny condition should avoid perfumed products when possible. One can also apply an emollient liberally in the times when particularly after having showers and when one feels itching. However, one has to consult dermatologist if suffering from any kind of dermatitis.
