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dermatitis

Dermatitis is a general term encompassing various inflammatory skin conditions. It is characterized by itching, redness, thickening and scaling of the skin and skin eruptions.

SkinSight.com - Dermatitis

The most common form of dermatitis is Atopic Eczema, a general allergic, hyper-sensitivity to allergens. Most people think of any skin eruption with itching or redness as a skin rash - when there are actually many types of dermatitis and many causes.

Regardless of the term used, or reason, a skin reaction can be extremely distressing, uncomfortable and for some may lead to skin infection. If simple over-the-counter measures don’t work quickly, it is best to have any skin rash diagnosed by a dermatologist.

Cautionary Note: Some viral-caused rashes may be a symptom of a dangerous infection which can lead to serious consequences – as in the case of ricketsia virus (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease or other). These viral rashes can cause meningitis or encephalitis which can lead to death if untreated. If rashes are accompanied by a fever or vomiting, medical care by an emergency physician is urgently advised.

Although its underlying cause is unknown, Atopic Eczema appears to be an excessive response of the body's immune system to allergens. Allergens enter the skin and activate the cells of the immune system present in the skin.

These cells on activation release mediators of inflammation such as histamine and prostaglandins. The resulting reaction results in the itching, redness and skin eruptions commonly experienced in patients with Eczema. In more severe or chronic cases, Eczema can also cause scaling and thickening of the skin.

Eczema can be caused by:

  • Contact with substances that chemically aggravate the skin like detergents, soaps, engine oils, strong chemicals, etc.
  • Stress, dry weather or, hot or cold temperatures.
  • Environmental allergens.

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Treatments for Skin Rash and Dermatitis

Some rashes are self limiting, meaning they go away after exposure to the allergen is removed.

Typical treatments may include anti-itch topical medications with menthol or an antihistamine.

  • Oral antihistamine (such as Benadryl)
  • Topical corticosteroids – both over the counter concentrations and Prescribed levels
  • Cool compresses, oatmeal based products and bland moisturizers.

One of the most common allergens is nickel, present in many costume earrings or jewelry. Other common and often undiagnosed allergies revolve around cosmetics, perfumes, nail polish and detergents.

Sensitive skinned individuals are advised to use fragrance free products for personal care and laundry.

Categories of Dermatitis

(Provided by Wikipedia with links to wikipedia)

Spongiotic dermatitis
This pattern of skin reaction includes many other subtypes - irritant dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, thermal induced dermatitis, and drug induced dermatitis.

Childhood eczema
Also known as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. This can be immunologic mediated dermatitis. It can sometimes be associated with food allergy. However, most cases of human atopic dermatitis do not have an associated allergy. It is believed that the human skin is lacking in a protective lipid agent, making the skin itchy and prone to scratching.

Allergic contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis can be due to external compounds, preservatives, fragrances, or plants. A classical case is poison ivy dermatitis (Rhus dermatitis). Patch testing can be performed with a number of allergen (example, the TRUE TEST patch test, which has 29 allergens).

Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is also known as dandruff. A rash of the scalp, face, and occasionally chest and groin. It is associated with a common yeast, Pityrosporum. It is treated with either an anti-inflammatory or an antifungal agent, or both.

Psoriasis
Psoriasis or psoriatic dermatitis is a pattern of dermatitis with distinct relationship to a defined entity, psoriasis. It can be familial, and is associated with arthritis.

Dyshidrotic dermatitis
Dyshidrotic dermatitis is also known as Pompholyx. It is a pattern of spongiotic dermatitis presenting as small fluid filled or pus filled bumps on the hands and feet. The cause is unknown, but it has been highly associated with contact dermatitis (see Allergic Contact Dermatitis). Some cases are due to a food intolerance to nickel.

Urticaria
Urticaria is also known as hives and is a pattern of allergic dermatitis characterized by transient wheals or welts. The definition require that the lesions shifts, moves, or changes within 24 hours. They should not remain static, or the diagnosis of urticaria can not be rendered.

Vesicular or bullous dermatitis
This can be caused by drug reaction, or auto immune diseases. Examples includes Steven Johnson Syndrome, bullous (blister) erythema multiforme, bullous pemphigoid, and pemphigus vulgaris. Athlete foot fungus can also cause bullous dermatitis of the foot.

Papular urticaria
A pattern of dermatitis often presenting after insect bite reactions. Flea bite dermatitis are often grouped around the ankles in a walking adult. In a crawling infant, it can be anywhere on the body.

 

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