Dermatitis
Fact 1
It is believed that nearly 20% of adults have experienced one form of dermatitis, while 25% of children suffer from atopic dermatitis.
Fact 2
Dermatitis isn’t contagious. It appears as an immune response to particular allergens, or it’s directly linked to depression and anxiety.
Fact 3
Dermatitis and psoriasis aren’t the same. While they may look similar, in psoriasis, the scales are thicker, with well–defined edges.
What is dermatitis?
Dermatitis is an umbrella term for skin inflammation, and people suffering from this disorder may experience discolored, swollen, and dry skin. Additionally, we use dermatitis to describe a wide range of conditions, from skin irritations to rashes and hand dermatitis.
No one can claim with certainty what causes dermatitis to appear, but we can speculate its origin is directly linked to allergies, infections, overactive immune system, and of course, genetics.
It’s important to mention that dermatitis can’t cause permanent damage to your body; however, it can be highly uncomfortable. Fortunately, some medications and methods can help you treat symptoms.
There are several types of dermatitis, including seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and others. Everyone is susceptible to this skin disorder, from babies to adults, but some types start in childhood.
Symptoms
Symptoms may range from mild to severe and will look different, deepening on the affected part of the body. This condition is followed by swelling, painful and itchy skin, cracked skin, blisters, and rashes.
Dermatitis may affect the color of your skin, causing discoloration. For instance, on darker skin, dermatitis will appear purple or gray or a shade darker than normal skin tone. These patches will be red or pink on lighter skin, especially when you have dermatitis on hands.
Types of dermatitis
The list of most common types includes:
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, can run in the family and develop in infancy. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition.
Contact dermatitis happens when a substance touches a person’s skin, causing an allergic reaction and dermatitis on the hands.
In dyshidrotic dermatitis, the skin has issues protecting itself. You will notice dry, itchy skin, followed by blisters on your hands and feet.
Treatment
It usually depends on the condition of your skin and the type of dermatitis it is exposed to. You could apply antihistamine drugs to alleviate symptoms and a topical cream for hand dermatitis treatment.
Phototherapy is more suitable as a sun dermatitis treatment. To relieve the itching sensation, you may prepare an oatmeal bath.
