Those who have dermatitis or suspect they may have it often feel frustrated and even stressed out if they do not have the information they need. Dermatitis is a common skin disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It can vary greatly in severity, and picking the right treatment can be confusing due to the fact that this disorder takes on several different forms. While it is possible to live with mild cases of this skin disorder without seeking treatment, most people will find that by learning more about their condition and treating it appropriately, they will experience a much higher quality of life. Read on to find out what you need to know about dermatitis.
Put simply, dermatitis is inflammation of the skin and encompasses a broad range of specific skin conditions. Dermatitis takes the form of skin rashes during flare-ups and can range from mildly itchy (in some cases it is hardly noticeable) to very painful.
Common signs and symptoms include the presence of a rash, greasy scales, skin flaking (including dandruff), fever, asthma and general skin irritation. Dermatitis can occur virtually anywhere on the body, from the scalp to feet. In many cases, symptoms worsen when skin experiences friction from fabrics or other materials that the sufferer may be allergic to.
There are several types of dermatitis: Diaper Dermatitis, which is seen in infants and caused by diaper friction, Stasis Dermatitis, which occurs on or around the ankles (in sufferers with venous insufficiency), Nummular Dermatitis, which takes the form of rounded dry patches, Seborrheic Dermatitis, which often occurs in the scalp and involves skin flaking and over-production of skin oils, Autosensitization Dermatitis, which is an itchy rash usually in response to an infection, Lichen Simplex Dermatitis, which is caused by repeated, longterm scratching and Dyshidrotic Dermatitis, which occurs on the hands and feet and encompasses redness, scaling and even deep blisters.
Diagnosis comes largely from a visual examination, but there are some tests available to help determine which kind of dermatitis the patient may be suffering from. A doctor (usually a dermatologist) may perform contact skin tests that involve using different forms of friction to produce a reaction, skin prick allergy tests or a KOH test to see if a fungal infection is the culprit.
The right form of treatment will depend on the type of dermatitis that is diagnosed. When an infection has caused the skin condition, for example, then antibiotics or antifungal medications may be prescribed to treat it (once the source is treated, the dermatitis should go away). Mild dermatitis may respond well to the application of hydrocortisone cream, an over-the-counter ointment that will help reduce irritation and inflammation.
Milder forms of dermatitis or those that are caused directly by scratching or other forms of friction can benefit greatly (and may even be cured entirely) if the cause of irritation is removed. For example, therapy may help to reduce constant scratching, and changing the types of fabrics worn can alleviate other forms of friction. Many people also find that simply keeping skin moisturized will go a long way.
Once the right form of treatment is determined, most cases of dermatitis will start clearing up within one to three weeks. The exact amount of time it takes to cure dermatitis will of course depend on the specific cause (infections may take longer, for example).
Yes. In some cases, dermatitis appears to be an ongoing condition that may come back in cycles in those with sensitive skin and repeated exposure to irritants. To lessen flare ups, it is important that sufferers maintain as healthy a lifestyle as possible and reduce the amount of irritants around them as much as they can. Eating healthy and maintaining good skin hygiene is highly recommended.