Contact dermatitis is a dermatological disease that forms in response to any pathogen. The scenario of the course of the disease is allergic, that is, the human body for one reason or another responds to the action of the stimulus with high sensitivity. In order to recognize this disease, you should pass the classic allergological tests, thanks to which it is possible to determine the irritant.
Pathogenesis of simple contact dermatitis
As a rule, contact dermatitis is a disease that forms for a long time. Symptoms appear only in the case of prolonged contact of a person with an irritable condition. In this relationship, allergists note that often allergens are considered elements with which a person has contact at the place of their work, or they are allergens with which the patient regularly meets at home. Of household allergens, cosmetic and washing products, pharmaceuticals, jewelry, building materials, paints, metal and other objects that can provoke an allergic reaction are often noted.
It is worthwhile to learn more about simple contact dermatitis, symptoms and treatment in adults and children.
Causes
Simple contact dermatitis can occur both due to the direct influence of the allergen, and as a result of a complex reaction of the immune system. For the formation of the disease, a secondary or prolonged effect of the stimulus on the skin is necessary. At the first contact of the allergen with the skin, a process called sensitization occurs. This is the activation of the immune system, the development of a kind of reaction to the pathogen. In appearance, it is not expressed at all. With a secondary exposure to the allergen, its recognition and a pronounced immune response occur, manifested by a special inflammation. An infectious disease, as a rule, is enterobacterial, adjoins again.
Key factors
Provoking conditions (allergens) of acute contact dermatitis:
- Plant (biologically active elements of organic origin).
- Components of artificial materials.
- Household chemicals (solvents, powders, paints, glue, detergents, including soap products).
- Industrial chemistry (phenols, alkalis, acids, aldehydes, kerosene, alloys and their compounds).
- Cosmetics (skin care and makeup).
- Costume jewelry (substances used to process alloys and paints applied to products).
- Medicines for external use.
- Rubber (elements included in its structure).
Symptoms
Since the disease is able to have an acute and chronic form of the course, the level of severity and the rate of spread will also be directly dependent on this. Distinctive manifestations of contact dermatitis will be: swelling, redness, skin rash, itching. In addition, there are all chances to arise bubbles and weeping areas in the affected area. If we are talking directly about allergic dermatitis, then further manifestations will be directly at the site of skin contact with the reagent. And it is noted that the younger the patient, the more pronounced the process. Over time, that is, in the chronic course of the disease, the skin in the area of contact with the allergen becomes tougher, thickens, becomes dry, its pattern intensifies. Cracks may occur. In severe forms of dermatitis, the general condition of a person can be disturbed and trembling, fever, impotence, etc. appear.
Contact dermatitis in children
Children were and remain the most subject to the influence of various reagents. In infants, everything can arise from the first dummy or infant formula, toys or vests. And further, the older the preschooler becomes, the more he has contact with the environment around him, the more threats await him. And everything is compounded by the fact that the guys need a much lower dosage and time of influence in order to get a complete picture of dermatitis. Children, you need to remember this, are more unstable mentally. Therefore, for a small patient it will be commonplace if he becomes capricious, becomes tearful and absurd. And he will always climb with pens to the affected areas. This must beware. If you do not follow the actions of the baby, in addition to the long healing process, the preschooler is also able to make an infection by scratching his skin. And these are the difficulties that have already arisen that hinder the cure.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis can often be made on the basis of a medical picture of the lesions on the skin and anamnestic contact data. It is necessary to take into account information about the patient’s profession, his hobbies, interaction with household items, vacation, clothing, and the use of various cosmetics. If you suspect that the disease develops due to perfume, shampoo, or other means used at home, it is possible to conduct an analysis. Put the intended substance on the skin, remote from the initial development of dermatitis, for example, on the bend of the forearm.
Application test
Diagnosis of simple contact dermatitis also consists in conducting a cutaneous application test. It is performed with a dubious diagnosis and a lack of result from therapy. With it, typical contact allergens are applied to the skin of the back from above by gluing a patch in which the minimum amounts of typical contact allergens or plastic chambers are integrated. An epicutaneous application test with short-term application of a thin layer of a substance is carried out using two adhesive strips that each doctor is able to apply and interpret. The skin under the patch is assessed two to four days after application. False positive results are noted if the element in the used concentration causes an irritating effect, and does not cause an allergic reaction, and if the reaction to one antigen generates a non-specific reaction to other antigens or antigens to which cross interactions form. False negative reactions are formed if the cutaneous allergens do not include the antigen that causes inflammation. Contact with the test allergen is required to prove the diagnosis.
What can you do yourself?
To renew damaged skin, you must follow a few easy rules:
- Wear gloves in cold weather.
- To wash hands, use warm water and a little mild detergents.
- Wash off soap products well and dry hands.
- Often apply moisturizing and softening skin products, as well as preventing dehydration of the skin. These are, as a rule, creams with petrolatum, lanolin, glycerin, ceramides, dimethicone, propylene glycol, urea, etc.
How to relieve inflammation?
It is recommended to get rid of inflammation with the help of corticosteroids. If the disease is severe or chronic, with a significant tightening of the skin, is not localized on the face or in the area of skin folds, then "Clobetasol" or "Diflucortolone" is used for 2-4 weeks. In less serious cases, Kuterid, Mometasone is used (also within 2-4 weeks). If there is inflammation in delicate places, then weaker corticosteroids are used in a lower dose: Triamcinolone, Betamethasone, Hydrocortisone for 1-2 weeks.
It is highly preferable not to scratch an unhealthy place, otherwise additional damage to the skin can form an optimal environment for enterobacterial infection.
Recovery takes about a month, if subsequently there was no irritating agent. In a chronic form, symptoms may be present for several months or years.
You should also beware of the substance that triggered the disease, and remove inflammation. The methods are approximately the same: wear gloves, overalls, a mask and glasses, use corticosteroids for 1-2 weeks or calcineurin inhibitors (for example, cream with pimecrolimus).
Ointments and creams
Creams and ointments for contact dermatitis on the face and body are used based on glucocorticosteroids. They effectively remove inflammation and prevent the process from developing. But the period of their use is reduced (no more than 14 days) in order to avoid the formation of side effects, which include: dryness and thinning of the skin, the appearance of stretch marks, rosacea on the face. Depending on the type of inflammation, various forms of local preparations are used:
- Acute with wetting rashes - emulsion.
- Subacute with crusts - cream or lipocream.
- Chronic with cracks and peeling - ointment.
Among the variety of topical (for use on the skin) glucocorticosteroids, 3 most suitable are distinguished: Lokoid, Elokom and Advantan. When joining fungal and enterobacterial flora, combined creams and ointments for dermatitis should be used, which, in addition to the hormonal anti-inflammatory element, contain antibacterial and antifungal, for example, Pimafucort.
Inflammation, the signs of which are stopped, leaves behind itself a dryness and shabby integument. During this period, a dermatologist is able to prescribe drugs that help restore cells and reconstruct their metabolism. A bright representative is Bepanten (a medicine for dermatitis), used to heal cracks and eliminate dryness and peeling of the skin.
But the most commonly used ointment is Akriderm, instructions for use, the price and reviews of which are described below. Indications for use are quite diverse, but during pregnancy it must be used with caution. The price varies from 100 to 200 rubles. Judging by the reviews, this drug quickly copes with any occurrence of dermatitis, so it is called one of the best remedies.
Pills and droppers
In addition to creams and ointments for dermatitis, doctors have other remedies in stock. One of them is antihistamines (Loratadin, Cetirizine, Fexofenadine), which are prescribed to reduce irritation and signs of inflammation: swelling and redness. In particular, they are important in the allergic form of the disease.
Enterosorbents that have the ability to consume toxins in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract play a significant role in the treatment of dermatitis. Especially if the culprit of the disease was a drug or food product. With a complex course of the disease, to cope with which only with local therapy is not possible, hormonal preparations in the form of tablets, injections and droppers are possible.
Dosage and method of administration are selected taking into account the severity of manifestations. The course is short, effectively copes with exacerbation, and secondary results are minimal. When using glucorticosteroids, it is important to protect the gastric mucosa, receiving omeprazole capsules to avoid inflammation of the mucosa. An acute disease, the therapy of which was started in a timely manner and meets international standards, quickly subsides and, with the least possibility, recurs or becomes chronic.
Diet and lifestyle
If a person detects simple contact dermatitis and the establishment of factors that provoke him, he receives the following tips:
- It is necessary to beware of the causes of dermatitis; try to replace products with hypoallergenic ones.
- It is necessary to control all purchased food products for the presence of substances harmful to the patient.
- Clothes and shoes should be made of natural materials; specialized hypoallergenic powders are more appropriate for washing items.
The patient’s diet varies depending on the conditions of the disease. Exclude foods that become a factor of cross-allergy and contribute to the appearance of signs on the skin. In general, it is more correct to beware of the use of preservatives, dyes, flavor enhancers, etc.
Total
As you can see, the clinical guidelines for simple contact dermatitis are quite diverse. After all, this is an unpleasant disease that gives severe discomfort and generates aesthetic difficulties and complications. The most appropriate is the use of Akriderm ointment, instructions for use, the price and reviews of which are presented above. If you manage to defeat the disease, while simultaneously adjusting your lifestyle and diet, then you can completely forget about it.