Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a common name for various inflammatory skin diseases. Dermatitis is classified:
according to the localization of the lesion;
for reasons of occurrence.
The content of the article:
Atopic dermatitis
Allergic contact dermatitis
Actinic dermatitis
Drug-induced dermatitis
Causes of dermatitis
Symptoms of dermatitis
Diagnosis of dermatitis
Treatment of dermatitis
Recommended diet for dermatitis
Prevention of dermatitis
Dermatitis
The skin of a healthy person can protect itself on its own, however, due to a decrease in immunity, for example, its lesion or inflammation, i.e. dermatitis, may occur. Dermatitis, the cause of which can be absolutely any, nevertheless has the main factor of occurrence — direct contact with mechanical, chemical, physical and other stimuli. The skin affected by dermatitis reacts painfully, inflammation forms, the degree of which depends on the type and duration of exposure. The initial general state of human health and skin is important. Therefore, dermatitis can be either a simple redness on the skin, or a severe lesion with the formation of ulcers.
The group of dermatitis includes:
Atopic dermatitis
Most often, such dermatitis occurs in children in early and middle age, its manifestations are especially characteristic with a burdened allergic history. Also, irregular and irrational nutrition increases the susceptibility to atopic dermatitis. This type is characterized by a chronic course, if at least one episode occurs in childhood, a relapse may occur even in adulthood, subject to the influence of adverse factors.
Allergic contact dermatitis
Often this type occurs after interaction with sensitizing substances. Persons with an allergic predisposition may experience a reaction to contact with antigens, which usually develops slowly. In this process, the allergen interacts with skin cells, gradually developing hypersensitivity of the whole organism to a certain stimulus. After the response and special sensitivity are formed, each subsequent interaction with the stimulus causes an inflammatory process. The rate of occurrence of the response in the form of the onset of the disease cannot be described accurately: sometimes it is lightning fast, and sometimes it occurs within a week after contact. It depends on the state of a person’s health, the amount and concentration of antibodies to his blood. At the same time, human heredity and the presence of a history of diseases such as pollinosis or bronchial asthma, i.e. allergic diseases, have a great influence.
Actinic dermatitis
In this form, skin inflammation occurs as a result of radiation exposure (sunlight, UV radiation, ionizing radiation).
Drug-induced dermatitis
Drug-induced dermatitis is characterized by inflammatory skin changes caused by allergies to medication. Manifestations of such dermatitis are most often itching, peeling, swelling, hyperemia, etc.
There are general principles that guide doctors when prescribing treatment for a particular type of disease. The initial goal is to eliminate the factor that provoked the occurrence of dermatitis, then anti-inflammatory treatment is carried out. The last stage is detoxification of the body.
Causes of dermatitis
Dermatitis in adults can occur due to the effects of exogenous and endogenous factors, i.e. external and internal causes.
External causes include constant mechanical impact, leading to injuries to the skin. This can be friction or compression, eventually forming cracks on the skin. Also, external causes include the influence of the environment: high and low temperatures, ultraviolet, radioactive, X-ray radiation.
Skin dermatitis often occurs due to prolonged contact with chemicals: acids, alkalis, heavy metal salts, toxic substances, etc. The influence of natural irritants is also possible: mushrooms, berries, plants. This is especially true of the buttercup family, primroses, as well as the well-known plant called “hogweed”.
Internal causes include factors that reduce the protective ability of the skin. For example, these are hypovitaminosis, vitamin deficiency, metabolic problems, disorders of the general hormonal background, scleroderma, Addison’s disease. Internal causes also include taking medications that provoke drug-induced dermatitis: antibiotics, drugs containing novocaine, sulfonamides. Violation of the diet and the use of allergen products also provokes dermatitis and refers to internal causes. Such foods include strawberries, chocolate, coffee in large quantities.
Perioral dermatitis usually occurs due to the frequent use of low-quality cosmetics, abuse of hormonal drugs, sometimes due to dental fluoride—containing pastes. Dry skin caused by a deficiency of vitamins A and E also causes the appearance of a perioral form.
Atopic dermatitis appears due to problems with the diet in infancy, as well as the nutrition of a woman during pregnancy, the presence in the patient’s history of allergic diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders. Statistics confirm that patients with asthenic physique, mental disorders such as depression and anxiety are susceptible to atopic dermatitis.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, low enzymatic activity, dysbiosis are a great danger of the appearance of the disease.
Symptoms of dermatitis
The manifestation and symptoms of dermatitis, the severity of their course depend on the degree of development of the disease and the initial state of health, the human immune system.
Simple contact dermatitis is characterized by mild redness of the skin, a possible increase in body temperature, infiltration, itching, tingling on the affected area of the skin. However, it is worth noting that prolonged contact with an irritant can cause a much larger range of symptoms of dermatitis, which has a rather serious impact on a person’s well-being. After prolonged contact, ulcers, necrotic lesions, wet blisters may occur. After the bubble is opened, secondary infection becomes frequent.
The onset of dermatitis progression occurs due to interaction with an irritant (this will be indicated in the patient’s history), therefore, dermatitis in a complicated form is differentiated from pyoderma. The affected area is limited, which is very important in diagnosis, since contact dermatitis manifests itself only in the place where contact with the irritant occurred. And this measure will help to separate contact dermatitis from its allergic type.
The symptoms of the allergic variation of the disease are slightly different, there is pronounced redness, swelling and itching. Also, clinical lesions on the skin quickly spread to areas that have not had contact with the irritant.
Perioral dermatitis is characterized primarily by the appearance of ulcers and small nodules located in the area of the lips, on the cheeks, nasolabial folds, and the bridge of the nose. The presence of a healthy skin rim around the lips is an important diagnostic sign. Treatment of perioral dermatitis takes quite a long time, since rashes appear and go away gradually, their presence is accompanied by itching, dryness, peeling, a feeling of tightening of the skin. If perioral dermatitis is diagnosed in women, the disease is often accompanied by the appearance of psychological problems and complexes.
The atopic form is characterized by erythematous rashes, revealing a tendency to exudation and the formation of vesicles. They are localized on the buttocks, face and places of constant bending and stretching of the skin — on the knees or elbows.
Diagnosis of dermatitis
Usually, a doctor determines the presence and nature of clinical manifestations of dermatitis for diagnosis, and also studies the patient’s anamnesis. However, in some cases, additional laboratory tests are required. A clinical blood test may be prescribed, revealing the presence of eosinophilia, the concentration of immunoglobulins. Separately, allergic tests are carried out on the skin, which greatly help in choosing the right treatment.
Diagnosis and treatment of a disease such as dermatitis can take place with the involvement of specialists from other fields, for example, a therapist, allergist or gastroenterologist.
Treatment of dermatitis
It is known that there are no universal methods of treating dermatitis. All therapy regimens, necessary medications, duration of courses are determined by the attending physician, taking into account the individual approach to the patient.
It requires the adoption of comprehensive measures that condition treatment in order to eliminate the disease: treatment of dermatitis usually involves the elimination of the irritant and its fixation, necessary to stop and prevent harmful effects on the patient’s body. A hypoallergenic environment is shown that improves the well-being of a patient with dermatitis.
As a rule, the treatment of dermatitis uses antihistamines — “Claritin”, “Telfast” and others, the action of which is aimed at reducing the manifestation of symptoms: edema, infiltration. Modern antihistamines do not cause drowsiness, thinking disorders, which means that the patient can lead a full-fledged lifestyle during the entire course.
Detoxification therapy is the appointment of a course of drugs to eliminate the negative effects of drug therapy. It can be activated charcoal, sodium thiosulfate in injections or other medications that can also cure dermatitis. In order not to cause another wave of allergic dermatitis, the patient is pre-tested for sensitivity to medications (which can also cause dermatitis).
Local relief of symptoms characterizing dermatitis usually occurs with the use of ointments that help speed up treatment: hormonal drugs “Sinaflan”, “Akriderm” and others.
Vesicles and pustules formed due to the occurrence of dermatitis should be opened in sterile conditions, after which aseptic drugs and aniline dyes are used. The treatment of the wounds themselves with iodine is contraindicated, since the solution has a rough effect on the skin, but the edges of the damage can be successfully disinfected with it.
Neurological disorders that occur as concomitant symptoms in dermatitis are treated through the use of sedatives of plant origin. “Novo-passit”, “Glycine”, “Persen” and other medicines that have a beneficial effect on the patient’s health are used. It is worth noting that there are cases when taking only sedatives eliminated dermatitis.
If the diagnosis showed that the cause of dermatitis was the wrong operation of the pancreas, then the doctor prescribes enzymatic replacement therapy. Often the symptoms of dermatitis are accompanied by problems of the gastrointestinal tract, in this case, appropriate treatment is required to solve this problem. The patient needs to take “Creon” or “Mezim” after each meal. Dermatitis, the treatment of which is much much simplified by the course of drugs for the gastrointestinal tract, is eliminated much faster.
Recommended diet for dermatitis
Since the treatment of dermatitis is a complex process that affects a variety of areas of activity of the body, it is necessary to pay special attention to the patient’s diet. Often, it is improper nutrition that is the main factor that causes absolutely any symptom of dermatitis. Doctors recommend that patients with dermatitis exclude citrus fruits, nuts, chocolate and fish from the menu. Spices, cocoa, coffee, hot spices, sauces, vinegar and mayonnaise are not recommended for eating in large quantities, as they can provoke a surge in the occurrence and development of dermatitis.
Eggplants, eggs, whole milk, strawberries, strawberries, mushrooms, smoked meats, pastries should be excluded from the diet. A particularly strict ban is imposed on the consumption of fried and baked foods.
The effectiveness of the diet for dermatitis increases the consumption of green vegetables, light soups, low-fat dairy products. Such a diet will make the dermatitis treatment process more productive and effective.
Prevention of dermatitis
Experts emphasize that the prevention of dermatitis should begin, first of all, with a balanced diet, the menu of which is built taking into account all the needs of the body. It is necessary to exclude harmful products, allergens, as well as food that can provoke the appearance of the disease, thereby complicating the treatment of dermatitis.
Proper organization of work is also an important condition for the prevention of dermatitis. Since the disease can be caused by hygiene violations during work, harmful radiation or contact with irritants, it is necessary to adhere to prescribed sanitary standards.
The most important point in the prevention of dermatitis is the observance of personal hygiene. It is not enough to follow all the instructions received from parents since childhood, it is necessary to approach the choice of hygiene products and cosmetics with attention. Its harmful ingredients can cause a violent reaction of the body, so you always need to know how and what to use without compromising your own health.
If you follow the doctor’s instructions and carefully monitor the condition of your body, you can minimize the risks and causes of dermatitis. If you find symptoms of dermatitis, be sure to consult a doctor. Skin lesions caused by this disease are much more unpleasant than simple and regular preventive monitoring. Remember that the treatment of a disease such as dermatitis takes a lot of time and requires large investments.
