Dermatitis can cause a lot of pain, itching and redness. While it’s not curable, your allergist / immunologist can help you manage symptoms to improve your quality of life.
Your healthcare provider can diagnose dermatitis by doing a physical exam and asking about your past history. They may also order blood tests or a skin biopsy to find out the cause.
Symptoms
The symptoms vary depending 강남피부과 on the type of dermatitis. They can include red, itchy skin that may ooze or bleed. Some types of dermatitis cause the skin to become extra dry, rough or bumpy. Others cause the skin to turn dark in areas of inflammation. The itching can be so bad that it disturbs sleep, causes distraction and affects your quality of life. The rash can also swell, crack and peel. It can also develop a foul smell. It is important to avoid scratching because it can make the rash worse and lead to infection.
For some types of dermatitis, such as contact dermatitis or eczema, symptoms appear within hours or days of exposure to an irritant or allergen. In these cases, the rash usually improves when the substance is removed. For example, contact dermatitis caused by poison ivy, oak or sumac clears up when the patient removes the plant’s leaves that contain the itchy chemical urushiol.
For other types of dermatitis, such as nummular dermatitis (rash that looks like dandruff) or neurodermatitis (itchy blisters on the edges of the fingers, palms and soles of the feet), the symptoms are more persistent and difficult to treat. Your healthcare provider will take a close look at your skin and ask questions about your symptoms. They will also check if you have 강남피부과 other health problems, such as allergies or asthma.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of dermatitis can look similar to those of other conditions, so your health care provider will ask you questions about when the symptoms started and what makes them better or worse. They will also examine your skin. This will include looking at how red, scaly or cracked it is. They may also check for areas of oozing or blistering.
Your doctor will also ask about your family history of atopic dermatitis (eczema). People with this form of the condition have itchy, dry skin that gets inflamed and scaly. It usually starts in childhood and can run in the family. They often have a personal or family history of allergies, hay fever or asthma.
If your rash is caused by irritants, your doctor may perform a patch test on your skin. They will put small amounts of different substances on your skin and then check for a reaction over the next few days. This can help your doctor identify allergens that are causing your dermatitis.
Some rashes are caused by bacterial infections. If this is the case, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. It is important to avoid scratching the rash because it can cause more irritation and damage your skin. It can lead to open sores and infections that can spread and become life-threatening.
Treatment
Dermatitis can be a painful and itchy condition. It can affect people of all ages, races and lifestyles. It can be difficult to find a treatment that eliminates the symptoms 100% of the time, but treatments can help manage the condition.
Your doctor will examine your skin and ask about your symptoms. Often, your dermatologist will be able to diagnose the type of dermatitis by looking at it. They may also take a skin sample and test it to see if you’re allergic to something. This is called a skin patch test. Your doctor will put small amounts of different substances on your skin and then check for a reaction. You might also have blood tests or a skin biopsy to help determine the cause.
You can help manage your dermatitis by avoiding triggers that make your symptoms worse. This includes cleaning products, detergents, perfumes and dyes, and cigarette smoke. You can also try keeping your skin hydrated by using moisturizers that don’t contain harsh chemicals. It is important to wear clothing that protects your skin and a hat when you go outside. You should also keep your fingernails short and avoid scratching.
Medications that your dermatologist prescribes will vary depending on the type of dermatitis and its symptoms. Common medications include calcineurin inhibitors, which decrease inflammation, corticosteroid creams and ointments, and phosphate deficiency 4 inhibitors, which reduce itching. Your dermatologist might recommend light therapy, which involves sitting in a special lamp twice or three times a week for a few weeks to months. They might also prescribe a drug called dupilumab (Dupixent), which is an injection that blocks functions of the immune system that lead to rash flares.
Prevention
Keeping your skin moistened can help prevent irritation and itching. Avoid contact with substances that irritate your skin (allergens). Some people have allergic reactions to poison ivy, perfumes, jewelry containing nickel and some soaps. You may also be sensitive to air pollution, pet dander, some fabrics and detergents, or certain foods. The itching of eczema can be caused by cold weather, stress and some illnesses. Using harsh soaps or too much scrubbing can break the skin, causing infection and allowing bacteria to get in.
Your immune system overreacts to a substance that it mistakes for a threat, called an allergen. This causes your skin to become red and itchy, and to develop scaly, swollen patches.
If you have a family history of dermatitis, you’re more likely to get it. You’re also more likely to have it if you have hay fever or asthma. The condition can occur at any age, but it most often begins in infancy.
Irritation and allergy triggers can be avoided, but a cause isn’t always found. Your doctor can do a skin patch test to see if you’re allergic to certain substances. They put small amounts of different chemicals on your skin and watch for a reaction. You may also need blood tests, a physical exam and a biopsy of the rash. This involves taking a sample of the skin and looking at it under a microscope.