Dermatitis: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Risk factors, Treatment & Prevention

 

Skin inflammation and edema are common symptoms of dermatitis. It can have a rash or itchy, dry skin, and it has a variety of causes and manifestations. Alternatively, the skin may blister, leak, crust, or flake. Atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis are the three most prevalent forms of this illness. Another name for atopic dermatitis is eczema. Dermatologists or your usual care physician can treat your dermatitis.

Although it can be quite unpleasant, dermatitis is not contagious. Regular moisturizing aids in symptom management. Medicated lotions, shampoos, and ointments may also be used as a kind of treatment.

What is dermatitis, and what is it like?

"Dermatitis" is a term used to refer to a variety of skin rashes and irritations brought on by infections, allergies, overactive immune systems, heredity, and other factors. Redness, itching, and dry skin are typical symptoms.

The term "dermatitis" “Itis” means inflammation, and “derm” means skin. The entire word refers to "skin inflammation." Depending on what is causing them, the rashes can range in severity from mild to severe and result in several issues.

Dermatitis doesn't seriously damage your health. It does not indicate that your skin is unclean or infected, nor is it infectious. You can control your symptoms with specific medications and therapy plans.




Also Read: Fungal infection (Mycosis): Types, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Which types of dermatitis are there?

Among the various forms of dermatitis are, but are not restricted to:

• Atopic Dermatitis (eczema). Atopic dermatitis arises from damage to the skin's protective layer. The skin gets red, dry, rough, and itchy as a result of this.

• Contact Dermatitis. An allergic or irritating reaction that results in a painful or itchy skin rash is known as contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is caused by coming into contact with an allergen, as the name implies. Examples are a chemical that irritates the skin and an allergy like poison ivy.

• Infant seborrheic dermatitis, or "cradle cap." A baby's scalp can develop cradle cap, a benign skin condition that looks like yellow, scaly patches surrounded by a scarlet rash.

• Dermatitis diaperiae (rash). Diaper dermatitis is a condition where a rash develops on any area of a baby's skin that is covered by a diaper, as the name suggests. The breakdown of the skin is caused by moisture, motion, and waste products.

• Dyshidrotic dermatitis. Itchy blisters on the tips of your fingers, palms, toes, and soles of your feet are a symptom of this kind of dermatitis. Blisters can hurt a lot.

• Neurodermatitis. Excessive scratching that irritates the skin's nerve endings is the root cause of this kind of dermatitis.

• Nummularis dermatitis. You may have nummular dermatitis if you have itchy, round patches on your skin. You may experience open sores and dry, itchy skin.

• Periorificial Dermatitis: Periorificial dermatitis like rosacea or acne. It forms around your nose, eyes, and lips.

• Dandruff caused by seborrheic dermatitis. The symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis, also known as dandruff when it affects the hair, include red, dry, flaky, and itchy skin on the scalp and other areas of the body.

• Stasis Dermatitis. This type of dermatitis is brought on by a disruption in the blood flow within your veins. There could be swelling, scaling, itching, soreness, and open sores on your ankles.

Symptoms:

Every type of dermatitis often affects a distinct area of the body. Among the symptoms could be:

• Painful itching is possible.
• More common in white skin types: dry, cracked, scaly skin.
• Rash on swollen skin that is colored differently on different skin tones.
• Maybe some sort of oozing and crusting perhaps
• Dandruff.
• Thicker Skin.
• Black or brown skin types are more likely to have little, raised pimples.

Causes:

Coming into contact with something that irritates your skin or sets off an allergic reaction is a common cause of dermatitis. Items like poison ivy, lotion, perfume, and nickel-containing jewelry are examples of this type of product. Additional factors that can contribute to dermatitis include dry skin, immune system issues, germs, viruses, stress, and genetics.

Risk factors:

Typical dermatitis risk factors include:

•  Old. Although dermatitis can strike anyone at any age, children are more likely than adults to develop atopic dermatitis. Usually, it starts in infancy.

• Asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergies. Atopic dermatitis is more common in people with allergies, hay fever, asthma, or a personal or family history of the condition.

•  Occupation. Your chance of developing contact dermatitis is increased by jobs that expose you to specific metals, solvents, or cleaning products. Hand eczema is associated with working in the medical field.

• Further health problems. You have a higher chance of developing seborrheic dermatitis if you have immunodeficiency, Parkinson's disease, or HIV/AIDS.

Complications:

Open sores and cracks can result from repeated scratching that breaks the skin. These raise the possibility of bacterial and fungal infections. Although it is uncommon, these skin infections have the potential to develop and become life-threatening

Dermatitis may result in the affected skin becoming lighter or darker in individuals with brown or black skin tone. Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are the names given to these conditions. The skin may take months or even years to return to its usual color.

How can dermatitis be diagnosed?

Your skin will be examined closely by your healthcare professional. They will search for the typical symptoms of dermatitis, including redness, scaling, dryness, and rash. They'll inquire about the symptoms you're dealing with. Do you have itching? Is there a burning sensation on your skin? Do you have dry skin? Have you come into contact with any potentially skin-irritating materials?

How does one treat dermatitis? Which drugs are administered?

The type of dermatitis and its location determine the type of treatment that is needed. Avoiding whatever causes the dermatitis is the first step. That could be a variety of allergens, chemicals, stress, tobacco smoke, and/or other things that worsen your dermatitis. The second step is to experiment with self-medication. The next step is taking the medication that your doctor has prescribed.

Depending on the cause and your symptoms, there are many treatments for dermatitis. If taking care of yourself at home doesn't help, your doctor can recommend medication. Among the potential treatments are:

Applying a prescription-strength corticosteroid lotion, gel, or ointment on the rash.
applying an ointment or cream containing a calcineurin inhibitor on the rash. This medication has an impact on the immune system. Your doctor's prescription is required for it.
Exposing the rash to regulated levels of artificial or natural light. We refer to this technique as phototherapy or light therapy.
either injectable medication or pills with prescription strength for more severe conditions. Examples include injectable biologic dupilumab  and oral corticosteroids.

Using a medicated treatment for severe atopic dermatitis: wet dressings. Applying a corticosteroid ointment, covering it with wet bandages, and then covering it with a layer of dry gauze are the steps involved.

Prevention

If you're working with caustic chemicals or irritants, put on protective clothing.

Establishing a simple skin care regimen may also aid in the prevention of dermatitis. The following practices can lessen how drying a bath is:

• Shorten your showers and baths. Take no more than ten minutes in the shower or bathtub. Use warm water, not boiling water. Bath oil could be helpful as well.

• Apply a cleanser without soap or a light soap. Select a cleanser free of alcohol, colors, and aroma. Some soaps may cause skin dryness. Generally, all you need to clean small toddlers is warm water; bubble baths and soap are not necessary. Avoid using a washcloth or loofah to scrub the skin.

• Dab the dryness. Use a soft towel to gently pat the skin after taking a bath. Refrain from rubbing too hard.

• Give the entire skin hydration. Use an oil, cream, or lotion to lock in moisture while the skin is still damp. Apply moisturizer as needed throughout the day.

• You may buy a lot of moisturizers. Try a variety of items until you find one that suits your needs. A cheap, safe, perfumed moisturizer that you enjoy using daily is the perfect moisturizer. Eucerin, CeraVe, Cetaphil, and Vanicream are a few examples.

References:

• Celiac Disease Foundation. Dermatitis Herpetiformis (https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/related-conditions/dermatitis-herpetiformis/). Accessed 10/20/2020.

• Merck Manual. Contact Dermatitis (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/skin-disorders/itching-and-dermatitis/contact-dermatitis). Accessed 10/20/2020.

• Katta R, Schlichte M. Diet and Dermatitis: Food Triggers. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2014;7(3)-30-36. Accessed 10/20/2020.

• DermNet NZ. What is Periorificial Dermatitis (https://dermnetnz.org/topics/periorificial-dermatitis/)? Accessed 10/20/2020.

• NHS. Pompholyx (Dyshidrotic Eczema). (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pompholyx/#:~:text=Pompholyx%20(dyshidrotic%20eczema%29%20is%20a,seen%20in%20adults%20under%2040.) Accessed 10/20/2020.

• Eichenfield LF, et al. Current guidelines for the evaluation and management of atopic dermatitis: A comparison of the Joint Task Force Practice Parameter and American Academy of Dermatology guidelines. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2017;139:S49.

• Kelly AP, et al., eds. Allergic contact dermatitis. In: Taylor and Kelly's Dermatology for Skin of Color. 2nd ed. McGraw Hill; 2016. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed April 12, 2022.

• Kelly AP, et al., eds. Pediatrics. In: Taylor and Kelly's Dermatology for Skin of Color. 2nd ed. McGraw Hill; 2016. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed May 27, 2021.

• National Eczema Association. Nummular Eczema – Nummular Dermatitis – Discoid Eczema (https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/nummular-eczema/). Accessed 10/20/2020.

• Wolff K, et al. Eczema/dermatitis. In: Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2017. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed April 29, 2019.