Recently, many people are increasingly faced with problems such as dryness, redness, rashes, itching, burning sensation and pain on the skin. Such symptoms can mean not only the development of a common allergic reaction, but also such a serious illness as artifact dermatitis.
This condition develops after contact with a certain substance and can torment both an adult and a child for a long time. So that dermatitis does not develop into a chronic form, you need to know its symptoms, as well as treatment methods.
Disease definition
This type of dermatitis in the ICD-10 is referred to as a skin disorder, which manifests itself in contact with the skin irritant. Due to the specifics of its occurrence, it is also called simple contact dermatitis. In this case, the irritating substance damages the barrier layer of the skin and causes severe inflammation of the tissues in the localized area.
The rash appears in places that come in contact with the irritant. The disease has no age and gender restrictions. Based on statistical data, artifical dermatitis often develops in women due to their more frequent use of products containing aggressive components: household chemicals, cosmetics, perfumes, soap products.
Types of Contact Dermatitis
In order for the disease to manifest itself, a one-time or constant exposure to an irritating agent is necessary. The type and intensity of the rashes depends on the type of contact dermatitis. The following varieties of this pathology are divided:
- Acute dermatitis.
- Chronic.
- Irritable.
- Allergic.
Each of them has its own set of manifestations that differ from each other, but have common symptoms.
Acute and chronic contact dermatitis
When acute dermatitis occurs, just one contact with the irritant is enough. In this case, redness of the skin appears instantly. In addition, local edema, blisters, and in some cases even weeping wounds can develop. Affected areas of the skin become moist, begin to itch and hurt.
Chronic contact dermatitis appears with constant interaction with substances that cause a slight irritating effect. In this case, the victim may for a long time not pay attention to changes in the skin in certain areas. Dermatitis-affected areas gradually become drier, redness, peeling appears on them, and then the skin begins to harden and crack.
Irritant and allergic contact dermatitis
Irritating contact dermatitis mainly manifests itself in the back of the hands, as well as on the skin of the fingers from exposure to aggressive substances. An allergic form of the disease implies a more blurred border of redness. In this case, several areas of the skin are affected: lips, eyelids, ears, fingers, elbows, etc. There is almost no pain or burning sensation, but itching is always present. Irritating contact dermatitis is very similar to allergic. An exact definition of the disease can only be given by a specialist.
Causes of Dermatitis
Numerous studies have identified about 100 substances that are capable of provoking artifact dermatitis. The most common irritants are:
- Chlorine
- Household chemicals.
- Alkali.
- Acid.
- Patches.
- Solvent.
- Chemicals for metal.
- Mechanical factors.
A good example is the frequent rashes on the hands of housewives and housewives. They arise due to daily contact with rubber gloves, household cleaning products, and garden care sprayers. The cause of contact dermatitis is the use of inappropriate cosmetics, perfumes, styling products and other substances that often come in contact with the skin.
A characteristic rash is often seen on the hands of workers from the field of nutrition and beauty. They have to come into contact with aggressive substances, chlorinated water and detergents.
The causes of articular dermatitis can be different. This pathology cannot be predicted or secured against 100%. Itchy red spots on the skin sometimes arise from frosty or dry air, after contact with poorly rinsed linen, or from those who interact with aggressive substances due to professional activities.
Who is at risk?
Thinking about how to protect yourself at least a little from this ailment, it is important to remember that certain professions are at risk. These people are more prone to contact dermatitis on their hands. The following employees are listed:
- Builders.
- Make-up artists.
- Beauticians.
- Hairdressers.
- Cleaners.
- Gardeners.
- Workers at an agricultural enterprise.
- The waiters.
- Cooks.
Construction workers may come in contact with an irritant such as fiberglass. From it, allergic artifactial dermatitis can develop. People who specialize in cleaning large rooms are at greater risk than others.
They have to constantly inhale fumes of household chemicals and bleach, which can contain a huge amount of harmful components. Contact dermatitis is often manifested in those who are constantly forced to wash their hands at work. Wet environments and detergents have an extremely negative effect on the condition of the skin.
Symptoms of Contact Dermatitis
Symptoms of the disease depend on its variety. But if you highlight the main signs of its development, which are found with any type of contact dermatitis, we can distinguish the following lesions of the skin:
- Redness of certain areas of the skin.
- Mild swelling, which may be aggravated.
- Burning sensation on rashes.
- The appearance of weeping wounds.
- Skin tightening.
The acute form of dermatitis develops very quickly, and its symptoms will be noticeable almost immediately after contact with the irritant. Red spots with a distinct outline will appear on the skin, and the rashes will itch and peel. The chronic course of the disease will develop slowly, therefore, involves a more complex and long treatment.
In this case, the rash will not have a clear outline and bright red color. The skin will begin to thicken, peel and crack gradually. Symptoms and treatment of contact dermatitis depend on many factors. These include the patient’s skin condition, the presence of other diseases, as well as the individual intolerance of certain drugs.
Diagnosis of dermatitis
Noticing strange rashes on the skin, you must immediately go to the dermatologist. The specialist will exclude or confirm the presence of an allergic variety of pathology using a skin test. This procedure consists in applying to the body areas the most popular allergens that are present in the patient at home and in the workplace.
If redness and the inflammatory process develop, then it is necessary to first treat the rashes, and then to exclude interaction with the irritant. When it is impossible to avoid pathogenic effects, you need to try to minimize its effect on the body. This will help overalls, a respirator, gloves, internally processed with cotton, glasses.
To exclude pathological changes in the skin due to fungus, the doctor makes a study using potassium hydroxide solution. Contact dermatitis is often confused with diseases such as neurodermatitis, scabies, eczema, and even psoriasis. But to treat all these ailments is necessary with completely different medicines.
That is why a competent diagnosis of artifact dermatitis in this matter is very important. You can not determine the disease without examination by a dermatologist. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate effective treatment.
Dermatitis treatment
After diagnosis, treatment of contact dermatitis should be started immediately. First of all, contact with the stimulus must be completely eliminated. In some cases, the implementation of this rule allows you to get rid of rashes without the use of drugs. If relief has not come, you need to proceed to the next stage - treatment with corticosteroid drugs.
Of these, the most effective ointments are Advantan, Lokoid, and Elidel. It is very important to adhere to the rules for the use of such funds, since they are quite serious drugs that can cause side effects. Creams and ointments are applied once a day and in a strictly thin layer to the skin affected by dermatitis. To absorb the product faster, you can rub it lightly.
The use of corticosteroid drugs is necessary only in the acute form of contact dermatitis, when the skin is covered with blisters and erosion. Light stages of the disease should be tried to drown out with fatty creams and gentle cleansing. The course of treatment with corticosteroids should not exceed a period of 14 days.