There are a number of different types of dermatitis, but they have one major characteristic in common Dermatitis causes inflammation of the skin. Skin becomes swollen, red and itchy. Sometimes lesions will develop. Although dermatitis is not a terminal disease, nor is it usually incapacitating, some types can cause severe distress in social and work situations because of the way it changes your appearance.
In this article, we’ll try to answer the most likely questions you have about dermatitis.
What does dermatitis look like? Some people say skin that’s afflicted with dermatitis looks as if someone has poured scalding hot water on it. It turns varying shades of red. Blisters and fluid secretions may also occur. People with dermatitis sometimes feel a powerful urge to scratch, but scratching just makes the skin look worse - and makes the condition harder to heal.
What is the cause of dermatitis? There are a number of different causes for dermatitis. Allergies and genetics are among the most common. Pollutants and irritants in your environment - smoke, smog, allergens, cleaning fluids, etc - sometimes cause dermatitis. Physical and emotional stress have also been shown to cause different types of dermatitis. Causes, as you might expect, are different for different types of the disease.
Are different kinds of dermatitis contagious? No, it is not. You don’t need to worry about getting dermatitis from another person.
How many different types of dermatitis are there?
Atopic dermatitis This is a chronic, itchy rash that will come and go and it’s often referred to 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. It does not appear that stress causes this kind of dermatitis, but doctors generally agree that stress can aggravate the condition. The exact cause is not known. A genetic predisposition to having dry irritable skin combined with a malfunction in the immune system may be contributing factors.
Eczema is typically treated with lotions containing hydrocortisone that are applied to the skin.
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 kind of dermatitis features scaling with yellowish, oily spots, usually on the scalp, along with a red rash, This kind of dermatitis is known as cradle cap when it happens to an infant. There are a variety of possible causes when it appears in adults, including Parkinson’s disease, oily hair or skin, or physical stress.
Doctors generally recommend special shampoos with tar, pyrithione zinc, salicylic acid or ketoconazole as the active ingredient. as the most reliable treatment. You may also get relief from hydrocortisone creams and lotions.
Perioral dermatitis This kind of dermatitis, which typically causes a rash near the mouth, is probably a type 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.
It can take a long time before perioral dermatitis goes away, but it seems to respond fastest to the oral antibiotic tetracycline. Even after the rash is gone, you may need to keep taking tetracycline for several months to make sure there’s not a recurrence.
Neurodermatitis This type can be associated with eczema, psoriasis and dry skin. It usually occurs when (for whatever reason) a person develops an itchy sensation in a specific part of their body such as their neck, arms, wrists, ankles and so forth. Hydrocortisone lotions and creams may be helpful, along with wet compresses. Your doctor may also prescribe certain antidepressant or anti-anxiety medicine. Scratching the area is the worst thing you can do because it only makes the condition considerably worse.
Stasis dermatitis This is a form of dermatitis that happens when fluid builds up under the skin. Because of this fluid accumulation, the skin can’t get the nourishment it needs. Generally speaking, this type of dermatitis appears in the legs. The key to treating stasis dermatitis is diagnosing the cause of the fluid build up and removing it. Elastic support hose may be one answer, but sometimes surgery is necessary. Sometimes, you can get relief by applying wet dressings, which not only soften fragile, thickened skin but help prevent infection.
Are you searching for additional information on various forms of dermatitis? Click on different types of dermatitis. Neal Kennedy is a retired radio and TV reporter with a special interest in treating skin problems. You can read more of his articles by visiting what are the most common skin problems?.
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