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Dermatitis Details

Dermatitis

Understand The - Symptoms, Causes, Tests & Treatment

Dermatitis is a general term that describes an inflammation of the skin. Dermatitis can have many causes and occurs in many forms. It usually involves an itchy rash on swollen, reddened skin.

Skin affected by dermatitis may blister, ooze, develop a crust or flake off. Examples of dermatitis include atopic dermatitis (eczema), dandruff and rashes caused by contact with any of a number of substances, such as poison ivy, soaps and jewelry with nickel in it.

In general, the symptoms of dermatitis may include:

Rashes
Blisters
Dry, cracked skin
Itchy skin
Painful skin, with stinging or burning
Redness
Swelling

The symptoms of dermatitis range from mild to severe and will look different depending on what part of the body is affected. Not all people with dermatitis experience all symptoms.

The causes of dermatitis vary depending on the type of dermatitis:

Contact dermatitis occurs when you come in direct contact with an irritant or allergen. Common things that cause allergic reactions include detergents, cosmetics, nickel, poison ivy, and oak.

Eczema is caused by a combination of factors like dry skin, environmental setting, and bacteria on the skin. It’s often genetic, as people with eczema often have a family history of eczema, allergies, or asthma.

Seborrheic dermatitis is likely caused by a fungus in the oil glands. It tends to get worse in the spring and winter. This type of dermatitis also appears to be genetic for some people.

Stasis dermatitis occurs due to poor circulation in the body, most commonly the lower legs and feet.

Certain things can trigger dermatitis and cause symptoms to flare, such as: stress, hormonal changes, the environment, irritating substances

Some types, such as dyshidrotic eczema, neurodermatitis, and nummular dermatitis may have unknown causes. Dermatitis is a common condition that's not contagious.

Different Types Of Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema).

Usually beginning in infancy, this red, itchy rash most commonly occurs where the skin flexes — inside the elbows, behind the knees and the front of the neck. When scratched, the rash can leak fluid and crust over. People with atopic dermatitis may experience improvement and then flare-ups.The exact cause of this skin disorder is unknown but is often seen in those with a personal or strong family history of asthma or allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Common Signs & Symptoms Of Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Include:

Itching, which may be severe, and raw skin from scratching

Small, raised bumps, which may leak fluid and crust over when scratched

Red, leathery, cracked or scaly patches on the skin

Related Factors: including dry skin, a gene variation, an immune system dysfunction, bacteria on the skin and environmental conditions.

Contact Dermatitis : Allergic & Irritant

Allergic contact dermatitis results from direct contact with substances called allergens. It usually affects only the area that came into contact with the allergen. Common allergens include costume jewelry, perfume, cosmetics, hair dyes and poison ivy.

Common Signs & Symptoms Of Allergic Contact Dermatitis Include:

Red rash or bumps

Blisters, draining fluid and crusting

Itching and swelling

Related Factors: — Poison ivy, jewelry containing nickel, cleaning products, perfumes, cosmetics, and even the preservatives in many creams and lotions.

Irritant contact dermatitis develops when your skin comes into contact with an irritating substance. Some people react to strong irritants after just one exposure. Others may develop a skin reaction after repeated contact with even mild irritants. Common irritants include solvents, bleach, soap and cosmetics.

Common Signs & Symptoms Of Irritant Contact Dermatitis Include:

Red rash or bumps, usually limited to the exposed area

Burning, stinging or itching, which may be severe

Dry, red patches, which may resemble a burn

Related Factors: — Solvents, bleach, soap and cosmetics.

Seborrheic Dermatitis.

This condition causes scaly patches, red skin and stubborn dandruff. It usually affects oily areas of the body, such as the face, upper chest and back. It can be a long-term condition with periods of remission and flare-ups. In infants, this disorder is known as cradle cap.

Common Signs & Symptoms Of Seborrheic Dermatitis Include:

Dandruff

Yellowish scales or crust on the scalp, ears, face or other parts of the body

Red skin

This condition may be caused by a yeast (fungus) that is in the oil secretion on the skin. People with seborrheic dermatitis may notice their condition tends to come and go depending on the season.

Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis occurs because of repeated scratching. It typically occurs as a single patch on the head, wrist, forearm or ankle.

Common Signs & Symptoms Of Neurodermatitis (lichen simplex chronicus) Include:

Itchy skin in a single, limited area

Leathery or scaly patches of skin

A raised, rough patch that is red or darker than the rest of your skin

Stasis Dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis occurs when varicose veins or other circulatory conditions cause fluids to build up in the lower legs. The swelling produces pressure beneath the skin and prevents adequate blood and oxygen from reaching the skin.

Common Signs & Symptoms Of Stasis Dermatitis include :

Thickened, discolored (reddish) skin on the ankles or shins

Itching

Open sores, oozing and crusting

Swelling

Diagnosing Dermatitis

Skin Patch Test

If there’s reason to suspect you might have an allergic reaction to something, your doctor might do a skin patch test. You can also ask for one yourself. In a skin patch test, your doctor will put small amounts of different substances on your skin. After a few days, they’ll check for reactions and determine what you may or may not be allergic to.

Skin Biopsy

In some cases, your dermatologist may perform a skin biopsy to help determine the cause. A skin biopsy involves your doctor removing a small sample of the skin which is then looked at under a microscope. They can perform other tests on the sample to help determine the cause of your eczema.

Treatments Options For Dermatitis

The first steps in treating dermatitis is to identify the type of dermatitis you have and eliminate the cause, if possible.

Treatments for dermatitis depend on the type, severity of symptoms, and the cause. Your skin may clear up on its own after one to three weeks. If it doesn’t, your doctor or dermatologist may recommend:

Medications to reduce allergies and itching, such as the antihistamine diphenhydramine
Phototherapy, or exposing affected areas to controlled amounts of light
Topical creams with a steroid like hydrocortisone to relieve itchiness and inflammation
Creams or lotions for dry skin
Oatmeal baths to relieve itching

Antibiotics or antifungal medications are usually given only if an infection has developed. Infections can occur when the skin is broken due to intense scratching.

Home care for dermatitis may include applying cool, wet cloths to the skin to reduce itching and discomfort. You can try adding baking soda to a cool bath to help reduce symptoms. If your skin is broken, you can cover the wound with a dressing or bandage to prevent irritation or infection.

Dermatitis can sometimes flare up when you’re stressed. You may want to look into alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage, and yoga to reduce stress.

Taking dietary supplements, such as vitamin D and probiotics, may help you manage the symptoms of eczema according to research

How Is Dermatitis Prevented ?

Awareness is the first step in avoiding dermatitis. You’ll want to avoid contact with allergens or substances that cause rashes, such as poison ivy. But if you have eczema, which isn’t always preventable, your best option is to prevent a flare-up of symptoms. You’ll want to avoid scratching the affected area. Scratching can open or reopen wounds and spread the bacteria to another part of your body.

Another way to prevent excess dry skin is by taking shorter baths, using mild soaps, and using warm instead of hot water. Most people also find relief by moisturizing frequently.

Diet Recommendations For People With Dermatitis

Food can’t cure or even treat dermatitis, but eating better might reduce your symptoms. These five lifestyle changes may help ease symptoms of dermatitis and reduce flare-ups:

Lose weight

If you’re overweight, losing weight may reduce the condition’s severity. It may also make treatments more effective. It’s unclear how weight interacts with dermatitis, so even if your symptoms remain unchanged, losing weight is still good for your overall health.

Eat a heart-healthy diet

Reduce your intake of saturated fats. These are found in animal products like meats and dairy. Increase your intake of lean proteins that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines, and shrimp. Plant sources of omega-3s include walnuts, flax seeds, and soybeans.

Consider taking vitamins

Some doctors prefer a vitamin-rich diet to vitamins in pill form. However, even the healthiest eater may need help getting adequate nutrients. Ask your doctor if you should be taking any vitamins as a supplement to your diet & try to getting adequate nutrients

Avoid trigger foods

Dermatitis causes inflammation. Certain foods cause inflammation, too. Avoiding those foods might improve symptoms. These foods include:red meat, refined sugar, processed foods, dairy products etc.

Drink less alcohol

Alcohol consumption can increase your risks of a flare-up. Cut back or quit entirely. If you have a problem with your alcohol use, your doctor can help you form a treatment plan.

Foods that may reduce inflammation include:

fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna, seeds, such as flax seeds and pumpkin seeds, nuts, especially walnuts and almonds, green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale. So these food are must be a healthy side

Dermatitis Triggers to Avoid

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