Dermatitis
Dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease caused by many factors. There are a large number of dermatitis, which differ in the causes, localization and degree of damage to the skin.
Human skin is a powerful barrier to infectious agents. Dermatitis occurs as a result of prolonged aggressive effects on the human body of various provoking factors, as well as with a decrease in immunity.
CAUSES OF DERMATITIS
Provoking factors can be physical (high or low temperatures), chemical (alkalis, acids), biological (viruses, bacteria, fungi), mechanical (friction, injuries, burns).
Dermatitis also develops in people prone to allergic reactions. Such dermatitis has a tendency to cyclicity, manifesting itself in the relevant for allergoses – spring, summer. Dermatitis is often combined with other allergic diseases – allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma.
Another cause of dermatitis may be the consequences of other dermatological diseases. Women who have undergone long-term treatment for vulgar acne or rosacea have a greater predisposition to the development of dermatitis. After treatment of these diseases, the skin becomes thinner under the action of glucocorticosteroids, the structure of the skin also changes, the amount of sebum secreted decreases. As a rule, such women develop periooral and periorbital dermatitis, since the skin around the eyes and around the mouth remains quite thin in normal condition.
Children are also highly susceptible to the development of dermatitis, since children’s skin is very delicate and practically devoid of protective properties. Especially often allergic reactions occur in children whose nutrition is unbalanced, or who are on artificial feeding, complementary foods are introduced early.
SYMPTOMS OF DERMATITIS
The number of characteristic symptoms manifested in dermatitis directly depends on the cause and severity of the disease. But with all dermatitis, there are certain symptoms that manifest themselves regardless of the form and severity.
Simple contact dermatitis is characterized by the development of mild hyperemia, local fever. The patient complains of itching of varying intensity. Depending on the cause, the affected area of the skin may swell, become blistered. As a rule, with contact dermatitis, hyperemia takes the shape of exactly the object to which the body reacts inadequately.
If contact with the stimulus takes a systematic character, more severe forms of dermatitis develop with the development of vesicles and blisters that are filled with serous contents. The bubbles are opened, exposing an erosive surface, which can be quite large. Erosions have the lowest possible resistance and protection, so such dermatitis is most often complicated by the addition of secondary infection and the development of pyoderma.
Perioral dermatitis is characterized by a predominant lesion of the skin around the lips. Multiple small pustules and vesicles appear on the skin around the lips, hyperemia. Over time, crusts and flaky areas of skin appear.
Most often, dermatitis does not remain an acute disease, but turns into a chronic form. During remission, the affected skin is thin, dry, and the skin turgor is reduced. Symptoms of lichenification often appear, the skin pattern becomes clearer and sharper.
DIAGNOSIS OF DERMATITIS
To diagnose dermatitis, it is necessary to carefully collect anamnesis, including family history. A dermatologist will necessarily inspect the affected areas of the patient’s skin, and if necessary, prescribe additional research methods – biopsy, dermatoscopy, scarification tests.
TREATMENT OF DERMATITIS
In order for the treatment of dermatitis to be successful, and the disease does not turn into a chronic form, it is necessary to determine all possible causes that could contribute to the development of the disease. Elimination of the causes in most cases helps to prevent recurrence of dermatitis.
According to the reasons, symptomatic treatment is prescribed. In case of allergic, contact and atopic dermatitis, antihistamines are necessarily prescribed. When a secondary infection is attached, antibacterial therapy is carried out taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogen.
Locally, it is possible to use ointments that relieve symptoms such as hyperemia, itching, swelling, as well as hormonal ointments.
Also of great importance in dermatitis is compliance with a hypoallergenic diet.
