Dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition that causes redness, itching, dryness, and rashes. It can result from allergic reactions, contact with irritants, or internal factors. The word "dermatitis" covers several different conditions, and they are treated differently, so it is important to know which one you are dealing with.
Types of dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis. The skin reacts to something it touched. It can be irritant (soap, detergents, solvents, frequent hand washing) or allergic (nickel in jewelry, fragrances and preservatives in cosmetics, some plants). Hands and face are the most affected.
- Atopic dermatitis, often called eczema. This is a chronic condition with flare-ups. It usually starts in childhood and often runs alongside allergy and asthma in the family.
- Seborrheic dermatitis. Redness and greasy or dry flakes on the scalp, eyebrows, sides of the nose, and behind the ears. It is linked to oil gland activity and to a yeast that lives on everyone's skin.
What dermatitis looks like
Signs depend on the type and stage. Typical ones are redness, scaling, dry and tight skin, a rash of small blisters, and constant itching that is often worse in the evening. During a flare the skin may weep and crust over, and in chronic cases it may thicken and crack. Symptoms range from mild irritation to marked inflammation. Pay particular attention to intense itching, cracks, oozing, and a long course without improvement.
Causes and triggers
Some causes are external: harsh household chemicals, certain cosmetics, costume jewelry, latex gloves, frequent wet work. Others are internal: inherited predisposition, a weaker skin barrier, immune reactions. Flare-ups are often triggered by dry air, sharp temperature changes, stress, wool and synthetic clothing, and sweat. In Georgia, as in any country with hot and humid seasons, climate, sun, and seasonal allergens can affect the skin. A doctor determines the pattern in your own case.
Why dermatitis matters
Dermatitis itself is not contagious. The main risk is complications. Scratching breaks the skin barrier, and infection can get into the damage: the skin starts to weep, yellow crusts or pustules appear, there is pain, and sometimes a fever. Chronic inflammation and constant itching spoil sleep and quality of life, especially in children.
Diagnosis and treatment
A dermatologist usually makes the diagnosis: an examination of the skin and questions about when it began, what the person comes into contact with, and whether relatives have allergies. If allergic contact dermatitis is suspected, the doctor may order patch tests to find the trigger. With seborrheic dermatitis, other skin diseases sometimes need to be ruled out.
The foundation of treatment is to remove or limit the trigger and restore the skin barrier. Moisturizers and emollients are used for this, and for inflammation the doctor prescribes topical medicines, including steroid creams, or other drugs. The schedule, duration, and strength are set only by a doctor: long-term self-treatment with steroid creams, especially on the face and in children, is risky. Severe cases may call for other methods, which the doctor will explain after an examination.
Prevention and skin care
There is no vaccine against dermatitis. Simple measures help reduce flare-ups:
- apply a moisturizer regularly, not only during a flare;
- wash with warm rather than hot water and use mild, fragrance-free products;
- wear protective gloves when working with water, detergents, or chemicals;
- choose cotton clothing and wash new clothes before the first wear;
- keep nails short to limit skin damage from scratching, and do not scratch the rash;
- remember the substances your skin reacts to and tell your doctor about them.
When to see a doctor
Book a dermatologist if the rash lasts longer than one to two weeks, keeps coming back, disturbs your sleep, or pharmacy products do not help. Do not delay if the skin weeps, has yellow crusts or pustules, or if there is pain, rapidly spreading redness, or a fever. Call an ambulance at 112 if the rash comes with swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness, since this can be a severe allergic reaction.
