| Health
Problems Dermatitis
What is Dermatitis?
Dermatitis literally means 'inflammation of the skin'. It is
the final result of a complex series of internal reactions to exposure to allergens and
irritants in susceptible individuals. It often accompanies other allergic diseases such as
hay fever and asthma, but may also occur alone.
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Known Causes
T
he rash is often very itchy, peeling, thickened, sometimes
weepy area, typically noted in the creases of joints and about the trunk. It may fluctuate
both seasonally and over the course of the day. Scratching may lead to bleeding and
infection. Blood tests reveal increased levels of cells and chemicals associated with
allergic reactions in general.
A variation of dermatitis occurs on the palms of the hands,
and sometimes on the soles of the feet. This type may be quite frustrating, since the
common exposure to moisture, irritants, and injury of these locations leads to
self-perpetuation of the disease. Furthermore the thickness of the skin in these regions
makes topical therapy more difficult.
Infants and children are often affected, though the disease
often diminishes in intensity into adulthood. The rashes of poison ivy and other poisonous
plants are similar to eczema, but of course are short lived and limited to the areas of
contact.
"Contact Dermatitis" refers to the eczema-like
rash occurring from touching a substance to which the patient is allergic. Common items
include industrial solvents, dyes, nickel and other metals, leather tanning chemicals, and
some soaps.
Some patients find that factors such as psychological
stress, mechanical irritation, and heat worsen the rash. Dietary factors are known and
accepted to be important especially in children (milk and dairy foods being the most
common).
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Conventional Treatment
Once avoidance of the above factors is carried out,
conventional medical treatment is aimed at alleviating the symptoms - reducing dryness,
itching and inflammation. Steroid or cortisone creams are commonly prescribed but these
can be absorbed into the blood through the abnormal skin, resulting in side effects to the
internal organs.
Oral anti-itching drugs such as
hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine, and other antihistamines are also often used but these too have potential
side effects.
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