Dermatitis: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
June 4, 2010
Dermatitis is of two types. It is classified as exogenous type and endogenous type. The exogenous type is the dermatitis that occurs due to an external agent like a chemical, a piece of jewelry or an allergen. The endogenous type of dermatitis occurs because of some internal factors.
A common form of endogenous dermatitis is atopic dermatitis. It is an inherited tendency of the skin to develop dermatitis.
Interestingly, you may suddenly develop allergy to a product or accessory that you have been using since many years; and this may lead to dermatitis.
Cause and Diagnosis
The reddish appearance of the skin may be dermatitis but the doctor will need to dig in deeper to confirm about the condition.
Nickel is a common constituent of jewelry and latex is part of condoms and disposable gloves often used by bakers and industrial workers. These are common allergens that cause dermatitis. Stop their use to see if the redness reduces or not. Hopefully, you will be able to find the cause of dermatitis.
Excessive bathing with hot water or very cold water may be cause of the dermatitis. Wearing a tight ring of gold on the finger too may be causing the redness and itching.
Dermatitis causes the skin to appear scaly, blistered and reddish; accompanied by itching. Most common areas that are affected are in-between the fingers, knees, elbows, and neck. The eyes may appear swollen in case the dermatitis becomes severe.
Confirmation for dermatitis can be done by RAST test. RAST stands for radioallegisorbent. The test tells about the food particle that has caused dermatitis. It is done by taking a blood sample.
Treatment Options
Topical application of steroids helps in reducing the skin reaction. They help in healing the rashes. Antihistamines reduce the itching and aid in better sleep.
Once your dermatitis is cured, a secondary bacterial infection may occur. In order to prevent this, the doctor may prescribe antimicrobial drugs to you. Anti-inflammatory drugs are the last options.
Treatment also includes self-care. The prime rule is to keep your skin moisturized. Dermatitis will get worsen if the skin is left dry. Use natural products which do not carry fragrance. Show your cosmetic products to the dermatologists to know which ones are safe to be used.
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