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Posts Tagged ‘Atopic Dermatitis’

There are a variety of skin problems that can be characterized as dermatitis, but they all have one similarity. Dermatitis causes inflammation of the skin. Skin becomes swollen, red and itchy. Sometimes lesions will develop. None of the different types of dermatitis are life-threatening, but all can be uncomfortable and possibly worrisome in social situations.

The goal of this article is to answer the most common questions about different types of dermatitis.

What does dermatitis look like? Imagine how your skin would appear if you dropped a hot liquid on it, or got a very severe sunburn. Besides turning red, blisters might appear and there could also be moist secretions in the affected area. It’s important (but often difficult) to resist the urge to scratch when you have dermatitis, because scratching only makes the skin look worse and aggravates the condition.

What typically causes dermatitis? There are many possible causes for dermatitis. In some people the cause is genetic. Others have allergies that trigger skin problems. Other prominent causes of dermatitis are irritants and pollutants. Some types of dermatitis may also be triggered by stress - both physical and emotional. Naturally, some causes vary depending on the type of dermatitis in question.

How contagious is dermatitis? No, it is not. You don’t need to worry about getting dermatitis from another person.

What different types of dermatitis are there?

Atopic dermatitis This type features an itchy rash that comes and goes. It is a chronic condition that is better known as eczema. Some of the most severe cases of eczema occur during childhood, but it’s not unusual for the condition to improve with age. Stress is not considered to be a cause of eczema, but it’s generally believed that stress can make it worse. The exact cause of atopic dermatitis remains unclear. A problem with the immune system may be a factor, and you are also more likely to get eczema if you are genetically predisposed to dry, irritable skin.

Lotions that contain hydrocortisone are often used as treatment for eczema.

Contact or allergic dermatitis The word “contact” is the key here. Contact or allergic dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in contact with an irritant that causes a rash,

Seborrheic dermatitis This is one of the types of dermatitis that features a red rash with yellowish oily scales that tend to develop on the scalp. In infants, this type of dermatitis is known as cradle cap. Individuals with neurological challenges like Parkinson’s disease seem to be at greater risk to get this type of dermatitis, as are those under a lot of physical stress. Oily hair and skin may also be contributing factors.

Doctors generally recommend special shampoos with tar, pyrithione zinc, salicylic acid or ketoconazole as the active ingredient. as the most reliable treatment. Hydrocortisone creams and lotions are another option.

Perioral dermatitis This type of dermatitis causes a rash to form in the area around your mouth. Researchers believe it’s probably a form of rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis or adult acne. Certain moisturizers, makeup and topical corticosteroids may make this condition worse, so don’t try to self-treat it - talk to your doctor about ways to get relief.

Tetracycline, an antibiotic administered orally, is usually the most effective treatment, although it can take a while before the rash goes away completely. Recurrences are common with perioral dermatitis, so your doctor may suggest staying on the antibiotic for several months to make sure the rash doesn’t return.

Neurodermatitis This type can be associated with eczema, psoriasis and dry skin. This kind of dermatitis typically features an itching sensation in a specific part of the body, especially the neck, wrists, ankles or arms. When you have neurodermatitis, you can usually sooth your skin by applying wet compresses. Hydrocortisone lotions and creams can also be helpful. Doctors will prescribe antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications for some patients. The most important thing is to avoid scratching, which just aggravates your skin even further.

Stasis dermatitis This is a form of dermatitis that happens when fluid builds up under the skin. The fluid blocks the processes which bring nourishment to the skin. It happens most often in the legs. Treating stasis dermatitis begins with determining the cause of the fluid accumulation and correcting it. Elastic support hose may be one answer, but sometimes surgery is necessary. Wet dressings help because they soften fragile skin and also prevent the risk of infection.

Would you like to get more information on dermatitis? Click on symptoms of different kinds of dermatitis. Neal Kennedy is a retired TV and radio talk show host with a special interest in medical topics. You can read more of his articles by visiting treating common skin problems.

Foot dermatitis can be very serious and is a common skin condition, which is basically an inflammation of the skin, and there are several different types, including cercarial dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, atopic dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, and dyshidrotic dermatitis.

It is a condition which has often been confused with eczema, but in fact the differences between the two are quite startling. The typical rash caused by foot dermatitis shows up as red and itchy, and will most likely be very irritating. Although the rash itself will vary in appearance depending on its severity and the length of time that it has been there, acute dermatitis tends to be blistery, subacute dermatitis scaly, and chronic dermatitis has lichenification, which is basically just very thick skin.

Diagnosis Foot Dermatitis

When it comes to diagnosing foot dermatitis, it is most often diagnosed clinically, which means that your family doctor will generally notice and diagnose it. The diagnosis will be based on the history and appearance of the rash, and it may take them a bit of time to decipher just what particular type of foot dermatitis you actually have.

It be a little tricky to diagnose because the different types are all so similar in appearance and symptoms, and as well because there are very few tests that can be performed in order to help clarify the situation here. Foot dermatitis and any other type of dermatitis for that matter can really only be treated once a proper diagnosis has been made, which is why at the first sight of this sort of condition you need to get in to see your doctor right away.

Treatment Of Foot Dermatitis

The specific treatment that will be recommended for you will vary depending on your specific condition, however there are a few basic things that you should do regardless of the type of dermatitis that you have and the severity or mildness of it.

One is to make sure to keep your skin as moisturized as you can, and any cream will work well here although the best are those with cocoa butter or vitamin E as ingredients. You also want to reduce itching and scratching of the skin with topical medications, of which you can either purchase over-the-counter or get a prescription for from your doctor.

Topical steroids for instance are quite popular here, and have a proven track record of being incredibly effective. Just make sure that you speak to your doctor before going ahead with any form of treatment in order to make sure that you are not putting yourself at any risk. I hope this article on foot dermatitis was helpful. Peter.