The article discusses ointments for the treatment of allergic dermatitis.
This is a skin inflammation - that is, inflammation of the human body system, which is located on the surface and feeds on the vast vascular network. When there is no violation of the integrity of the skin cover, and it has an acidic pH, the barrier function is performed well; As soon as an allergic or microbial inflammation or inflammation resulting from a burn develops, the epidermis becomes permeable to many substances. This property is used by dermatologists in the selection of ointments for allergic dermatitis.
Types and classification
To get rid of the pathology, the following types of ointments are used, which are classified depending on the characteristics of the action:
- Anti-inflammatory - they contain corticosteroids that direct their action to eliminate inflammatory processes and itching. However, it must be said that there is an opinion that such drugs can adversely affect the activity of the adrenal glands.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is advisable to use them only at the initial stages of the disease, since they have a lower therapeutic effect compared with hormonal ointments.
- Antihistamines - help eliminate itching.
- Moisturizing - since the main sign of allergic dermatitis is the drying of the skin, the use of oily creams will be highly effective.
- Preparations with a drying effect. If the pathology is at the stage of soaking, then it is best to choose the means of this particular group, since they help to eliminate inflammatory manifestations and dry the epidermis.
We will study the grounds for choosing an ointment for allergic dermatitis by a specialist.
Inflammation in the form of a wet surface and swelling
In this case, local therapy consists in applying compresses with an aqueous solution of boric acid or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. We also use talkers, which are prepared in a pharmacy.
After a talk or compress, gels against dermatitis, which are based on antihistamines, are applied to the affected area. These include "Psilobalm" or "Fenistil-gel." When the inflamed area stops getting so wet so much, they use such a dermatitis cream as D-panthenol (Bepanten) to speed up healing. It is absorbed by the skin and transformed into vitamin, being included in the normal metabolism of skin cells and stimulating division. Dexpanthenol preparations can replace such ointments for allergic dermatitis as Solcoseryl or Actovegin. These non-hormonal drugs improve the nutrition of skin tissues affected by dermatitis.
Hormone therapy
When allergic dermatitis is afflicted in large areas or the ineffectiveness of local antihistamines (a person has ruled out the effect of the allergen on the skin), steroid ointments are prescribed. They contain analogues of glucocorticosteroid hormones made in the laboratory, their “originals” are produced by the adrenal glands. Such local preparations have clear anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous activity.
Corticosteroid
Ointments against allergic dermatitis, corticosteroids according to the severity of the effect are divided into these types:
- Weak: ointments prednisone and hydrocortisone.
- Medium: Lokoid, Fliksotid, Dermatop, Afloderm.
- Strengths: Celestoderm-V, Kutivate, Elokom cream and ointment, Flucinar, Triamcinolon, Advantan cream and ointment.
- Very strong: Chalciderm, Dermoveit in the form of ointment or cream.
Such ointments for allergic dermatitis for adults can only be prescribed by a doctor who will indicate the terms of use of the drug (a potent drug is usually used no longer than three days, while drugs of "weak" activity - up to seven days), will tell you about the gradual withdrawal so as not to harm own skin by sudden withdrawal of a corticosteroid.
What ointment for allergic dermatitis will be effective?
Infections in the affected area
If pus begins to be secreted from the inflamed area, or the contents of the vesicles turn whitish, an ointment for local therapy of allergic dermatitis with a secondary infection that has joined it is also prescribed by a dermatologist. In this case, there may be three options:
- A drug that contains only an antibiotic (tetracycline and erythromycin ointment).
- Combined local antiseptic or antibiotic agent combined with non-hormonal drug: “Levomekol” (in addition to the antibiotic, a component that improves healing), “Oflokain” (anesthetic + antibiotic).
- Combined preparation of antifungal, antibiotic and hormone: Pimafukort, Triderm.
Ointments and creams for allergic dermatitis can be purchased at any pharmacy.
Therapy of Atopic Dermatitis
Since this disease causes more concern to small patients, it is necessary to consider which group of ointments against dermatitis is used to treat children.
Treatment of children begins with such local remedies for exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. The same drugs can be used as a starting treatment if the pathology is severe.
When assigned, the calculation is as follows:
- If the disease worsens and the foci of redness are small, appear only on the limbs and trunk, the list of hormonal ointments against dermatitis includes such funds as Hydrocortisone Cream 1%, Prednisolone Ointment. In the absence of weeping, Lokoid and Afloderm (ointments). If the inflamed area gets wet, Afloderm and Flixotide in the form of a cream are advised.
- In case of severe exacerbation (the severity is established by a dermatologist) and localization of inflammation on the skin of the limbs, face and body, treatment should be started with drugs such as Advantan (in the form of a cream or emulsion for weeping, in the absence of it - in the form of an ointment), "Elokom", "Celestoderm B" (when wet - in the form of a cream or lotion), "Mometasone furoate", "Polcortolon", "Triamcinolone".
Multiplicity of application
The frequency of applying the ointment for allergic dermatitis is determined by the doctor. Most often, children from six months of age can be applied Advantan once a day, twice a day - Afloderm, up to three times - Lokoid. “Elokom” can be used only from two years, once a day, the course lasts up to a week.
If the rash with atopic dermatitis is significantly reduced in severity, a rapid cessation of local treatment is undesirable. It is better to go on a course when the affected areas are lubricated twice a week for 1-2 weeks, on other days, nutritious and moisturizing preparations are used.
The medicines Diflucortolone Valerate, Chalciderm, Galcinonide, Dermoveit, which have a long lasting powerful effect and maximum penetration into the skin are ointments used for dermatitis in children after 14 years of age and for adults for medical purposes.
Contraindications
Hormonal ointments for the treatment of allergic dermatitis are contraindicated in bacterial and fungal skin diseases, acne, herpes, scabies, tuberculosis, shingles. They are forbidden to use if allergic dermatitis has arisen after vaccination. During pregnancy and children under one year of age, such drugs are not prescribed. Under seven years of age, steroid creams and ointments should be prescribed by a specialist.
Dosage
Regarding the dose of ointments, the following should be said:
- when dermatitis occurs, a maximum of three units of the drug is applied to each arm (unit - the amount that is placed on the phalanx of the patient's index finger);
- on the foot - no more than one unit;
- groin area - one unit on each side;
- on the body - no more than 14-15 units.
special instructions
Hormonal ointments can not be treated on the face. In this area, it is desirable to use only calcineurin inhibitors and moisturizers.
If bacterial or fungal flora is suspected to be attached to areas of dermatitis, ointments containing an antifungal component and an antibiotic are prescribed: Pimafukort, Triderm.
Ointments for the treatment of allergic dermatitis in the hands are often asked.
Moisturizing preparations
For children up to the age of seven, the hormonal cream should not be applied to the inflamed skin itself, but to a pre-lubricated emollient, that is, a substance that has a sufficient degree of fatness and forms a film on the skin when applied. Good emollients are "Emolium", "Topicrem", "Mustela Stelatopia", "La Roche-Pose".
"Mustela Stelatopia" is an emulsion cream created from natural substances, is easily distributed on children's skin and dries out in a few minutes. It can be used not only as a basis for a hormonal drug, but also in the periods between the use of topical steroids, as well as before going out, especially in the cold season. Cream emulsion also helps to eliminate the itching of the skin characteristic of atopic dermatitis. It can be replaced with FmiSiogel AI, as well as alternating drugs. In Physiogel there are also membrane-forming lipids that are identical to those used to protect intact skin from external irritants. It eliminates mild symptoms of atopic dermatitis, itching and irritation.
Such emollients are excellent ointments against dermatitis during pregnancy, are an excellent alternative if hormonal drugs are contraindicated.
Emollients must be applied at least three times a day, including after bathing. They need to be replaced every three to four weeks to avoid a decrease in the healing effect.
Many people want to find the best ointment for allergic dermatitis.
Other non-hormonal drugs
With this disease, children, pregnant women, adults are prescribed non-hormonal ointments against dermatitis, which can be different:
- Bepanten (D-panthenol, Dexpanthenol, Pantoderm). Absorbed by skin cells, it turns into pantothenic acid, which accelerates the healing of the epidermis. Can be used for lactation and gestation.
- Eplan. The active ingredient is glycolan, which has analgesic, bactericidal and wound healing effects. There are no indications for use in lactation and pregnancy.
- Dermatitis ointment containing zinc (Desitin and Zinc Ointment for allergic dermatitis, as well as Zinocap, based on zinc pyrithione) has good antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It is also effective for weeping. During lactation and pregnancy, it is used as directed by a dermatologist.
- "Radevit" - an ointment based on vitamins (A, E, D2), which has a softening and anti-inflammatory effect, eliminates itching.
- Calcineurin inhibitors (Protopic and Elidel), which suppress the release of substances that provoke allergic skin rashes, reduce the severity of inflammation. They are used to treat wrinkles, neck, face skin. The optimal ointment against pruritus is Protopic. These drugs are not used for herpetic rash, warts, genital warts, and ultraviolet radiation therapy. During lactation and pregnancy are not recommended.
- "Fenistil-gel" based on the antihistamine component of dimetindene maleate. It has a local anesthetic and antipruritic effect.
- “Gistan” is a local type dietary supplement based on betulin, dimethicone, and extracts of medicinal plants.
- "Losterin" based on dexpanthenol, urea (softens the epidermis), salicylic acid (eliminates inflammation and softens the skin).
- Naftaderm is a liniment based on Naftalan oil. It has an antiseptic, emollient and analgesic effect.
Especially carefully you should choose an ointment for allergic dermatitis for children.
Means "Dermazin"
For prevention and with an infected disease, children from three months of age are prescribed Dermazin, based on a sulfonamide antiseptic, namely silver sulfadiazine. It is effective against many microbes, eliminates a slight weeping. It is applied to a gauze napkin, applied to the area of dermatitis only after the inflamed skin is washed with water and dried with gauze.