Each of them is well treatable. Most people at least once in their life have experienced the effects of contact dermatitis. Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. The term "contact dermatitis" is used if the inflammation is caused by exposure to the skin of a chemical substance.
Eczema or dermatitis?
The terms "dermatitis" and "eczema" are often used as synonyms. However, dermatitis is termed skin damage solely due to exposure to a toxic agent. The development of eczema, in turn, may not be associated with irritation by any exogenous (acting from outside) substance. Both types of contact dermatitis - irritative and allergic - are quite common, but dermatitis from irritation is still more common. Some substances cause skin irritation in any person, in particular household chemicals, oils, alkalis and plant poisons, for example poison ivy. Even water with prolonged contact with the skin can act as an irritant. Thus, irritable dermatitis can occur in any person, although people are more susceptible to the action of various substances - usually with light skin and with an anamnesis of atopic allergy, that is suffering from bronchial asthma or eczema.
Symptoms
Symptoms of irritation dermatitis can develop for many years (for example, if a person has contact with the substance at work) and for several hours (for example, with the action of plant juices). Symptoms are the same: inflammation of the skin, its cracking and soreness. In the absence of treatment, the condition becomes chronic, coarse cracks appear on the thickened skin.
Treatment
The basis of treatment is the cessation of contact with the stimulus. These can be simple measures, for example wearing gloves when cleaning. Some, however, may need a significant change in their way of life, up to a change of profession. The application of protective creams to the affected skin helps to build up inflammation, but does not exclude the need to stop contact with the substance. Sometimes for the treatment of inflammation, steroid ointments, such as hydrocortisone, are used. Since the substances that cause irritative dermatitis are toxic to all people, conducting skin allergic tests is inexpedient and can only worsen the situation.
Risk factors
Some professions are associated with a particularly high risk of developing irritable dermatitis, because they require contact with toxic or irritating substances during work. Such activities include:
- building;
- auto repair;
- food industry;
- cleaning;
- work in the garden;
- hairdressing;
- work with metal;
- printing.
Allergic contact dermatitis develops in predisposed people a certain substance, safe for some, in others causes an allergic reaction. Treatment includes the removal of contact with the allergen and local procedures. The first meeting with the allergen in a predisposed individual leads to the fact that the leukocytes "remember the structure of this allergen. With repeated contact with it, leukocytes excrete special substances aimed at its elimination from the body, which is accompanied by the development of an allergic reaction.
Morbidity
Allergic dermatitis is very common. Allergy sufferers can not wear jewelry containing nickel. Some skin rashes occur even in places of contact with metal clasps of a bra or jeans. Other common allergens are the components of cosmetics, chrome (contained in cement mixtures), lanolin (wool fat) and some antibiotics. The reaction of the skin to contact with an allergen is identical to that of an irritant: a rash appears on the contact site on the inflamed background. With allergic dermatitis, however, the rash can spread beyond the contact area. A so-called cross reaction is also possible. For example, a person with an allergy to cinnamon may develop a reaction to the orange peel. In most people suffering from allergic dermatitis, a similar reaction is caused by a number of different substances. Skin allergic tests are very effective in diagnosing contact dermatitis.
Testing
On the skin of the patient is placed an insignificant amount of various allergens for a period of 48 hours. In addition to eliminating allergens, the doctor observes the skin condition for the next 48 hours. A small focus of inflammation is seen as a positive result. Skin allergic tests are usually performed on an outpatient basis. The composition of the most common allergens depending on the natural characteristics of the region can vary, therefore, the set of allergens investigated also differs. To treat allergic dermatitis, skin-softening agents and steroids are used for topical application. The medicinal product should not contain elements that can cause allergies. It is extremely important for the patient to avoid contact with the allergen in the future. Although the allergy may eventually subside, hypersensitivity usually persists for life.