Skin is the largest organ of man. It is daily exposed to the environment. With strong immunity, changes do not occur or are not noticeable. Decreased protective functions of the body, adverse heredity can lead to various skin diseases or dermatitis.
What is dermatitis
Dermatitis is a general term for inflammation of the skin. Most often, these processes are caused by allergens of various origins. Today, doctors believe that allergic reactions are becoming global, and just 100 years ago, the vast majority of the population did not encounter such phenomena. Most often, dermatitis appears from external irritants, but there are cases of skin reactions caused by malfunctions in the hormonal system, metabolism, dysbiosis and other diseases that nest in the digestive tract.
The risk group includes people with a congenital or acquired tendency to dermatitis. An acquired allergic reaction can be the result of prolonged use of medications, an unbalanced uniform diet, a general weakening of the immune system, fungal infections, and many other reasons. Since the manifestation of irritation is observed on the skin, the most common treatment is ointment for dermatitis.
Types of disease
A remedy for dermatitis had to be bought at least once in every person’s life. Every day there are a lot of causes, exogenous, endogenous factors acting on the body and causing reactive irritation.
Today, experts distinguish the following types of dermatitis:
- Xerosis (dry dermatitis). Most often observed in elderly people on the feet in the form of peeling. The cause of the occurrence are psychosomatic factors, a reaction to cold, dry air, and some chronic diseases. Treatment is carried out by eliminating the root cause, for external use ointments from dermatitis with a moisturizing effect are used, as well as emollients - fat-like substances that have a softening effect on the keratinized layer of the skin.
- Contact allergic dermatitis - is a reaction to irritating agents (animal hair, fish food, plant pollen, etc.). It is recommended that the cause of the allergy be eliminated, as well as the use of hormonal ointments for dermatitis in the treatment.
- Contact dermatitis. The cause of the reaction becomes a reaction to chemicals - washing powder, perfumes, solvents, etc., can also be provoked by intense friction. Several types of drugs are used to eliminate the effects of irritation, depending on the severity of the case.
- Seborrheic dermatitis is provoked by the active reproduction of the yeast fungus Malassezia in areas of the dermis with a high secretion of sebum. For treatment, anti-fungal infections are used together with exfoliating and hormonal agents (in severe cases).
- Atopic dermatitis, or eczema. This type of disease is most often affected by children. The cause of the occurrence may lie in heredity or appear due to an allergic reaction. Treatment needs to be started immediately, as eczema often takes a chronic form. In therapy, emolen, hormonal external drugs are used.
- Toxoderma is a reaction of the body to medications taken internally, chemicals, natural allergens. Ingestion can occur not only orally, but also in the form of injections, inhalation, rectally, etc.
- Infectious dermatitis is a manifestation of a disease (measles, chicken pox, etc.), also provoked by bacteria (streptococcus, staphylococcus). The selection of the drug is due to the cause of the disease.
Diagnostic Principles
The presence of irritation and its connection with the allergen is sufficient for the initial diagnosis of dermatitis. If during the initial examination and questioning it becomes clear the rapid onset of a skin reaction, the boundaries of the lesion and the complete disappearance of symptoms after elimination of the irritating agent are determined, then contact dermatitis can be stated. In more complex cases, the doctor conducts a detailed diagnosis, which includes:
- Laboratory tests (with allergic dermatitis in the blood, the presence of eosinophils is noted).
- Immunological tests using specific allergens.
- Skin application tests lasting from 48 to 72 hours (a special tape with allergens is attached to the back, 20 minutes after removing the application, the doctor evaluates the reaction).
Differential viral diagnostics (for herpes, seborrheic and atopic dermatitis, bullous pemphigoid).
Ointments for dermatitis are prescribed after determining the diagnosis as the only treatment or in the general therapeutic package. External drugs for the treatment of irritation are produced in two types - non-hormonal and hormonal. They differ in composition and principle of action.
Non-hormonal ointments for dermatitis
There are a lot of these drugs in the pharmacy. Ointment for dermatitis on the skin must be selected strictly on the recommendation of a doctor. Non-hormonal drugs are considered safer, but they are weaker in their effect, with their action it is not always possible to achieve a cure, therapy can drag on for several months. The advantages of such ointments are their naturalness and relative safety of use.
The disadvantages of non-hormonal ointments are distinguished, namely:
- In people prone to allergic reactions, natural ointments can provoke additional irritation.
- Means are effective for a limited range of irritations.
Ointments for dermatitis on the skin are divided into several conditional categories, depending on the action:
- Antiseptic - have a sanitizing effect, destroy pathogenic bacteria and create a barrier to their penetration into open wounds.
- Anti-inflammatory - reduce or eliminate itching, burning and other types of irritations, relieve inflammation.
- Regenerating - stimulate the restoration of the skin, accelerate wound healing.
- Moisturizing - eliminate dry skin, promote the restoration of natural water metabolism and stimulate the rapid healing of wounds.
Most often, inexpensive ointments for dermatitis are non-hormonal, the duration of treatment is no more than two weeks, after which it becomes addictive and drug replacement is necessary for further therapy. Efficiency is achieved only by the continuous use of ointments until complete recovery. In the absence of noticeable changes, non-hormonal ointments are replaced with hormonal ones, the selection is carried out by the attending physician.
Overview of effective non-hormonal ointments
Manufacturers produce a huge range of products for the treatment of skin diseases, including ointments for dermatitis. Many of them have earned the trust and tested by many patients, the most popular are:
- Eplan. Active ingredients (water, glycolan, glycerin, ethylcarbitol, triethylene glycol) relieve irritation, moisturize the skin, stimulate the regeneration of the skin and the healing of damage. It is used as an ointment for dermatitis on the face and any other part of the body, and also relieves itching from insect bites.
- Bepanten, Panthenol. The active component of the composition is dexpanthenol. The drug has a softening effect, triggers cell regeneration processes and normalizes intracellular metabolism. The means of this line are used by healthy people to protect the skin of the face and hands under adverse conditions.
- “Skin-Cap” is an ointment with zinc for dermatitis, the composition includes activated zinc pyrithione. Use is recommended for all categories of the population, including children from 1 year of life. The tool has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial effects. The use is indicated for eczema, atopic dermatitis, seborrhea, psoriasis, etc.
- "Radevit" is one of the most popular means, due to its composition and effect. The main ingredients are a complex of vitamins (A, E, D), glycerin, alcohol, wax. It is used as a means of restoring the immune processes in the skin, healing injuries and ulcers, has a softening effect on the skin, and stimulates cell regeneration. It is prescribed for almost all types of allergic skin reactions, including as a therapeutic ointment for atopic dermatitis and other types of skin diseases.
- "Losterin" - has an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antimicrobial effect. The composition includes urea, natural oils, salicylic acid, tarred naphthalan, plant extracts. Indicated for use as an ointment for dermatitis in adults. It has an exfoliating, restorative effect on the epidermis, eliminates irritation, reduces itching, and stimulates recovery processes.
- “Solcoseryl” has a powerful effect on the skin - it effectively heals wounds, blisters, ulcers, stimulates collagen production and epidermis recovery, acts as a catalyst for metabolic processes in skin cells. The drug is indicated not only for the treatment of dermatitis, but also for the speedy healing of wounds from burns, abrasions, and also significantly reduces scar tissue.
Hormonal ointments for dermatitis
There are not many hormonal drugs for treating dermatitis. Ointments are divided according to the strength of action into 7 classes. The use of any hormonal drug should be prescribed by a doctor, and therapy should be carried out under the close supervision of a specialist.
The threat of this series of drugs is complications, namely:
- Addictive. With prolonged use, the skin ceases to respond positively to the drug, but side effects may occur or the problem worsen.
- Complications Hormonal ointments cause pigmentation, fungal lesions, atrophy of the epidermis, renal failure and other phenomena.
- Withdrawal syndrome. With a sharp discontinuation of the drug, the disease gets a relapse and a lot of side effects. The dosage of the applied funds is canceled gradually.
Contraindications to the use of hormonal ointment for dermatitis:
- Individual intolerance.
- Current sexually transmitted diseases.
- Diseases - tuberculosis, chickenpox, helminthiasis, herpes, fungal and bacterial lesions of the epidermis.
- Children under 2 years old, pregnant and lactating mothers.
Indications for the use of hormonal ointments:
- Neurodermatitis, suspected eczema.
- Relapses of dermatitis.
- Contact, allergic dermatitis, complicated by inflammation of the epidermis.
- As the next step in the treatment of dermatitis (if non-hormonal drugs have not brought effect).
- Allergic erythema.
Overview of effective hormonal ointments
The type of drug is prescribed by a doctor, the duration and dosage are determined by a specialist. Most hormones are prescription drugs. To date, the following ointments are considered effective:
- "Flucinar", the active substance is fluocinolone acetonide. It is generally recommended for the treatment of lichen, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.
- Dermatitis ointment “Akriderm” is a combined preparation with two active ingredients - salicylic acid and betamethasone dipropionate. It has antiseptic, soothing, exfoliating, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
- “Advantan” is an ointment for seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and all types of allergies. The active ingredients are methylprednisolone aceponate, beeswax, paraffin. The tool has a calming, wound healing, anti-inflammatory effect. One of the positive features is the restoration of the natural balance of oily skin. The drug is approved for use from the age of 4 months.
- “Fucicort” is a broad-spectrum ointment and is prescribed for all types of dermatitis. The composition of the drug includes betamethosone warrerate, fusidic acid, alcohol, paraffin, water, etc. The action is antimicrobial, soothing, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic.
- Celestoderm contains betamethasone 17-valerate, paraffin. It is used for all types of dermatoses (including eczema, neurodermatitis, psoriasis). It has anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory effect.
Dermatitis with diapers
Diaper dermatitis occurs in infants in places where the skin comes in contact with a diaper or diaper. The causes of skin rashes are as follows:
- Humid environment (staying in a wet diaper for a long time) or an improperly selected diaper.
- Aggressive agents in secretions.
- Developed fungi and microorganisms (streptococcus, Candidaalbicans fungus, staphylococcus, etc.).
The manifestations of the disease are redness of the epidermis, peeling or getting wet, vesicles on the skin in places of its contact with the tissue or diaper.
Treatment, in cases uncomplicated by infections, comes down to hygiene procedures - frequent diaper changes, even if the resource still allows you to do without replacement. The diaper is changed immediately after getting wet. An ointment for diaper dermatitis is also used, which is selected depending on the manifestation of irritation:
- When peeling, a softening and exfoliating agent is used.
- With weeping dermatitis, an ointment with a drying and anti-inflammatory effect is required.
Preparations should be prescribed by a specialist in each particular case, most often they recommend the use of Desidin, Bepanten and Bepanten-plus, Banezion, Dexpanthenol ointments, aka D-panthenol.
Children's problems
Atopic dermatitis is one of the common manifestations of childhood allergies due to a genetic predisposition. The most common agents that cause the reactivity of the immune system:
- Food products - whole milk, chicken meat, nuts, some types of vegetables and fruits, nuts, soy products, etc.
- Air allergens - household dust, air fresheners and any other aerosols, fungus, dust mites, animal hair, etc.
- Bacteria, fungal spores, viruses, etc. everywhere present
Often atopic dermatitis has complications in the form of asthma, conjunctivitis, urticaria, or allergic rhinitis. At the heart of this type of skin reaction is heredity. So that the disease does not become chronic, it is necessary to begin treatment at the first manifestations of irritation.
To determine the disease, you need to contact a pediatrician, dermatologist or allergist. Depending on the complexity of the disease, the specialist determines the tactics and methods of treatment. The range of measures includes external funds - an ointment for atopic dermatitis of two directions of action:
- Anti-inflammatory ("Friderm", "Bufeksamak" "Advantan", etc.).
- Antimicrobial ("Dioxidin", "Hexicon", etc.).
Also, therapy is supplemented with medications, diet and preventive measures.
Special cases
Separately, allergies include seborrheic dermatitis. Its course is accompanied by fungal infections. For full and systemic treatment of this type of disease, hormonal or non-hormonal ointments, as well as antifungal agents are used, one of them is “Clotrimazole”. Ointment for dermatitis and fungus is selected in combination by a specialist. The use of only "Clotrimazole" as the only means in the fight against seborrhea will not bring any effect.
Pregnancy is the time of the restructuring of a woman's body when a global, but temporary change in the hormonal background occurs. During this period, the body may exhibit uncharacteristic reactions, including allergies to the most harmless substances. Ointment for dermatitis during pregnancy is selected with great care and only by the attending physician. Non-hormonal drugs such as Losterin, Radevit, Solcoseryl and folk remedies are considered safe.
Irritations and rashes on the face bring a lot of grief, most people tend to remove them, mask their irritation, relying on the achievements of cosmetology and decorative cosmetics. This approach often worsens the condition, and then strong medications and long-term therapy may be required. It is wiser to consult a doctor and find out the cause of irritation, to undergo a diagnosis. Often, an ointment for dermatitis on the face solves the problem. What treatment is required depends on the type of allergy and the patient’s health status.