All you need to know about Dermatitis

What is Dermatitis?

Dermatitis is a medical term that refers to a group of conditions affecting the skin that result in skin irritation, inflammation, and the presence of dryness, itching, rash, flaking, blisters, etc. According to the best dermatologists near you, dermatitis can be either a chronic condition that lasts for a long time or an acute condition that resolves quickly. The condition can develop on any part of the body depending on the type of dermatitis present. Dermatitis is not a contagious condition and cannot spread from one person to another.

What are the different types of dermatitis?

There are 3 main types of dermatitis that are commonly seen by the best dermatologists near you. These include Atopic Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis, and Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis

It is commonly seen in young children but can be seen in adults as well. This condition usually tends to persist for a long time and has periods of remissions and flare-ups. As this condition has an underlying cause that is related to immune system hyperactivity, individuals with this condition are also at risk of developing conditions such as food and other allergies, allergic asthma, and hay fever.

Contact Dermatitis

It is a condition that develops when the skin comes directly in contact with a substance that causes an allergic reaction. The substance that can cause contact dermatitis can range from jewellery, makeup, cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, detergents, plants, solvents, fragrances, etc.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

It is a very common skin condition that mainly affects the scalp. It is more commonly seen in areas where the density of the oil glands is more such as the scalp, face, nose, ears, chest, upper back, etc. A very commonly seen condition known as dandruff is actually seborrheic dermatitis.

Causes of Dermatitis

Dermatitis can have various causes based on the type of condition present.

Atopic Dermatitis

This condition usually arises due to a genetic factor that results in a reduced ability of the skin to perform its normal function of acting as a barrier. This reduced ability causes the skin to lose more moisture and also become more susceptible to the action of bacteria, allergens, and other environmental irritants. In some cases, the excessive presence of bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus can also result in the skin losing its barrier function because of a change in the natural balance of the bacteria present on the skin. When the skin is susceptible to environmental factors it triggers a reaction from the immune system leading to the development of inflammation and subsequent symptoms.

Contact Dermatitis

This condition develops when the skin comes in direct contact with a substance that causes damage to the protective barrier of the skin or results in an allergic reaction based on this mechanism contact dermatitis can be irritant contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis. Irritant Contact Dermatitis is non-allergic dermatitis that develops when the protective barrier is lost, and Allergic Contact Dermatitis when a substance causes hyperactivity of the immune system and an allergic reaction.  Substances that can cause contact dermatitis include soaps, hair products, detergents, solvents, latex or rubber gloves, airborne chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, plants that cause irritant contact dermatitis, and antibiotic creams, nickel, hair dyes, cosmetics, pollen, some plant species, formaldehyde, and other preservatives, etc., that cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

although the exact underlying cause is not yet fully understood, the possible causes can include excess oil production, immune system dysfunction, and the excess presence of yeast called Malessezia on the skin.

Risk factors of Atopic Dermatitis 

Individuals with allergies, asthma and eczema are at a higher risk of developing atopic dermatitis.

Risk factors of Contact Dermatitis

Certain occupations increase the risk of developing contact dermatitis such as cosmeticians and hairstylists, healthcare workers, agriculturists, construction workers, cleaners working with solvents, etc.

Risk factors of Seborrheic Dermatitis

Risk factors for this condition can include stress, weakness, change of seasons, mental health conditions, immune system diseases, etc.

 Symptoms of Dermatitis 

The symptoms of dermatitis vary slightly between the different types and include the following

Atopic Dermatitis  

The symptoms and signs of this condition include dry skin, cracked skin, itching, skin rash, raised skin bumps that are small in size, oozing and crusting of these small bumps, thickening of the skin, increased sensitivity of the skin

Contact Dermatitis 

The symptoms and signs of this condition include severe itchy skin with a rash, darkening of the affected portion of the skin, dryness of skin, scaling of the skin, formation of bumps or blisters with oozing of fluid and crusting, swelling of the affected region of skin, with redness and tenderness.

Seborrheic Dermatitits 

Symptoms of this condition include flaking of the skin, oily skin patches with white or yellow flakes or scales, skin rash, and itching.

Risks and complications of Dermatitis:

The best dermatologists nearby caution that the various types of dermatitis can pose different risks and lead to the development of complications as follows

Atopic Dermatitis:

Individuals with this condition are more likely to develop other allergic conditions such as hay fever, food allergies, asthma, the development of chronic itchy and scaly skin, altered pigmentation of the skin compared to neighbouring areas, increased risk of skin infections, sleep deprivation, and mental health problems.

Contact Dermatitis

Constant scratching can lead to an increased risk of developing bacterial or fungal skin infections, sleep deprivation, and mental health problems.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

No severe complications are associated with this condition, however, there is an increased risk of developing skin infections, especially fungal infections such as candidiasis.

Diagnosis of Dermatitis

The diagnosis of dermatitis by eczema treatment doctors usually involves taking a medical history, family history, and history of any previous allergies, and performing a visual and physical examination of the affected portion of the skin.

For the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis an investigation known as patch testing is done in which tiny portions of different substances are applied to the skin and left in place with a patch over them, and then observed a few days later for any signs of an allergic reaction.

The diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis is usually established after a thorough clinical examination with no other investigations usually being required.

Treatment of Dermatitis 

When you consult a dermatitis doctor, the treatment that they give will depend on the type of dermatitis that is present. The treatment of various types of dermatitis is as follows

Atopic Dermatitis  

The primary treatment for atopic dermatitis is through the use of moisturizers and self-care measures. If these measures are not effective or provide enough relief from symptoms, medicated ointments or creams are applied to the skin. These medicated products include calcineurin inhibitors, steroids, etc. If there is an infection present antibiotic creams or antifungal creams may be prescribed. If the inflammation is very severe oral anti-inflammatory agents such as corticosteroids are prescribed. In even more severe cases monoclonal antibodies may be prescribed. Other therapies that may be done include the use of wet dressings which seal in a corticosteroid ointment in wet gauze and is usually done in people with lesions that are spread over a large area of the body. Light therapy may also be done in those individuals who don’t respond favorably to topical treatments or in those with flare-ups after cessation of previous treatments.

Contact Dermatitis 

The primary treatment for contact dermatitis is to completely avoid getting in contact with the irritant substance. If there is the presence of severe inflammation then either topical or oral anti-inflammatory agents are prescribed. In case of infections, antibiotics or antifungal creams or oral pills may be prescribed.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Depending on the severity of the condition medicated shampoos, gels, or creams may be prescribed to control fungal growth. In very severe cases oral antifungal agents may be prescribed. If there is severe inflammation, topical anti-inflammatory agents in the form of gels, shampoos, or creams may be prescribed and these usually contain agents such as calcineurin inhibitors and steroids.

Prevention of Dermatitis

The best dermatologists nearby advise that some precautions and self-care measures taken depending on the type of dermatitis present can help in the prevention of progress, flare-ups, and complications of this condition.

Atopic Dermatitis

It includes moisturizing the skin regularly, bathing with warm water and limiting bathing time to 10 minutes or less, using gentle soaps and cleansers and avoiding harsh soaps and cleansers, avoiding rubbing the skin dry after a bath, and instead pat the skin dry, and finally avoid identified or possible allergens that can trigger the condition including clothes, cosmetics, etc.

Contact Dermatitis

Prevention of this condition can include identifying and completely avoiding the triggering substance, immediately washing the skin if it comes in contact with a possible trigger, wearing protective clothing or barriers to prevent exposure, and using moisturizers or barrier gels to maintain skin health.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Prevention of seborrheic dermatitis measures that can help can include avoiding skin care products that contain alcohol, washing your scalp regularly and with medicated shampoos as advised by the eczema treatment doctor, gently cleaning regions of the body such as eyelids, eyelashes, beard, and moustache if facial hair is present. With these measures and when you regularly consult dermatitis doctors, the conditions can be managed well and prevented from recurring again.

FAQs

Q) Who gets dermatitis? 

Anybody can get dermatitis, but certain types of dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis may be seen more in people with other allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever, or food allergies, while contact dermatitis may be more common in people involved with certain occupations such as farming, healthcare, cosmetology, hairstyling, cleaning, construction work, etc.

Q) How do you cure dermatitis?

Dermatitis can be chronic and long-lasting in most people, but measures can be taken to manage it and keep it under control. Taking good care of skin health, avoiding dry skin, being aware of potential triggers and allergens and completely avoiding them, using protective clothing and barriers, and getting regular medical check-ups with the best dermatologists near you and following their medical advice and self-care tips can help you manage the condition well, and even cure it.

Q) Does dermatitis ever go away?

The course of dermatitis varies between individuals, in some, the condition can be temporary and may go away after proper treatment by eczema doctors, while in others the condition may be chronic and persist lifelong with periods of remissions and flare-ups that can come and go in weeks, months, or years.

Q) What does dermatitis look like when it starts?

When dermatitis starts, the symptoms can vary based on the type of dermatitis present and can include itchy red swollen skin, with blisters or bumps that ooze fluid, followed by crusting and thickening of skin or discoloration of the skin.

Q) What is the difference between dermatitis and eczema?

Eczema is a type of dermatitis that is medically known as atopic dermatitis. There are other types of dermatitis such as contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff), etc.

Q) How is dermatitis treated?

The treatment of dermatitis depends on first identifying the type of dermatitis present and the underlying cause of its development. Atopic dermatitis treatment can include avoiding triggers, anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics or antifungal agents if infections are present, and therapies such as wet dressing or light therapy in more severe cases. For contact dermatitis, avoid the triggering agent and anti-inflammatory agents, and antibiotics may be prescribed. For seborrheic dermatitis, medicated shampoos, anti-inflammatory gels and creams, and oral antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents may be prescribed.

Q) How common is dermatitis?

Dermatitis is a common skin condition that is seen in clinical practice by the best dermatologists near you. However, some types of dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis are far more common.

Q) When to see a dermatologist for dermatitis?

It is always advisable to consult dermatitis doctors or skin specialists at the earliest when a skin rash develops with itching that is severe. Especially if the rash is widespread, the itching is causing sleep disturbances, there is oozing and blistering, etc.