Improper nutrition, constant stress, excessive physical exertion and poor ecology - all this leads to a decrease in immunity in modern man. The consequence of this is often skin problems, the so-called dermatitis. From parents, the disease is transmitted to children. Doctors say that if mom or dad suffers from dermatitis, then the baby in sixty percent of cases will receive it along with the parental genes. But even in absolutely healthy adults in modern living conditions, in twenty percent of cases, babies are born who have dermatitis since infancy. This disease takes various forms, and if you do not deal with its treatment from a very early age, then until the end of his life a person will suffer from this problem. In the article we will consider the most common and effective dermatitis medications for children and adults. We will give a description of them and provide a brief summary.
A few words about dermatitis
What is the best cure for dermatitis is difficult to say for sure. After all, this disease takes different forms, and depending on the characteristics of the course, the doctor prescribes certain drugs. Therefore, if you noted symptoms of dermatitis in yourself or your child, then the medicine should be purchased only after consulting a doctor. He will prescribe a series of tests to the patient and try to determine what type of skin disease has hit you.
If dermatitis is given a simple and understandable characteristic, then we can say that this term refers to the inflammatory processes of the skin. Usually they are caused by various allergens, which can not always be detected during the examination. Choosing a medicine for dermatitis, the specialist expects increased permeability of the affected areas of the skin. This is due to the fact that the inflammatory process violates the protective barrier of the epidermis and various substances easily penetrate the skin.
When looking for a treatment and cure for dermatitis, it is important to consider its type. Indeed, despite the apparent similarity, the inflammatory processes of the epidermis, united under one name, have different flow patterns and causes that cause the problem. Therefore, we have prepared for readers a classification of the most common types of dermatitis with a brief description.
Typology
An effective cure for dermatitis can be selected only when you clearly know the type of disease. Doctors distinguish mainly three types of the inflammatory process of the epidermis. These include seborrheic, allergic and atopic dermatitis. A medicine suitable for each type has its own characteristics. However, we will return to this a bit later.
Most often, children and adults encounter allergic dermatitis (up to half of all patients look for a cure for this type of disease on the Internet). It occurs after the contact of the epidermis with any allergen. Almost anything can provoke it: cosmetics, fabric, household chemicals, food, juices. Enumerate potential provocateurs of the inflammatory process ad infinitum. The very mechanism of the occurrence of dermatitis is quite simple. In response to the action of an allergen, the body secretes several immunoglobulins simultaneously. They cause itching, burning, redness of the skin and vesicles on them. Since the disease occurs only after contact with an allergen, dermatitis received a second name - “contact”.
Atopic dermatitis (the cure for it is mainly sought by mothers of babies) has the same allergic nature, but it also has certain differences from the previously described species. This disease usually has a chronic course and occurs due to the ingress of antibodies into the blood or respiratory tract. Most often, the cause of the disease is called food allergy, but it is just one of the consequences of a person’s genetic predisposition or infection that has settled in his body. Also in the list of causes of atopic dermatitis it is necessary to include digestion problems and in cases when it comes to newborn children, a severe pregnancy, accompanied by a number of pathologies. Redness occurs throughout the body, but most often on the hands, palms and face skin.
Often, patients tend to purchase separately drugs for dermatitis on the face and body. But this is not true, since the ointment or cream that you bought to treat the inflammatory process, for example, on the face, is perfect for hands, feet and body.
If the sebaceous glands are disturbed, an inflammatory process often occurs, which is called "seborrheic dermatitis." A medicine suitable for getting rid of such problems usually has a narrow focus. It is most often not prescribed for other types of skin inflammation. Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by bacteria that multiply actively in the secretion product of the sebaceous glands. The affected area of the skin has clear boundaries and is covered with thin yellowish scales. The area of inflammation is usually the scalp. This type of dermatitis often occurs in the inguinal region.
Choosing a remedy for treatment
The best cure for dermatitis is one that is right for you and helps to permanently get rid of skin problems. However, sometimes you have to go through a lot of drugs in different forms of release in order to stay on the most effective. In the treatment of dermatitis, the following types of agents can be used:
- Paste. This option is good for weeping dermatitis, since most of its components have a drying effect. They not only dry the affected skin area, but also effectively relieve itching.
- Ointment as a medicine for dermatitis is used very widely. Preparations of this form of release have a greasy base and soften even those areas of the skin that are characterized by chronic dryness. The ointment stays on the epidermis for a long time, thereby prolonging the therapeutic effect.
- Liniment. Medicines belonging to this category have several more names - “emulsion” and “liniment”. All components of such preparations are dissolved in water or oil, which makes the consistency very light. It is ideal for the treatment of various inflammatory processes of the epidermis.
- Cream. It has a water base, so most often it is well tolerated by patients. Medicines of this type are quickly absorbed and do not leave a greasy film on the surface of the skin.
- Gel. Manufacturers quite rarely produce drugs for dermatitis in this form. But they have a lot of advantages compared to the already listed forms of release. Firstly, gels have a pronounced cooling effect. Thanks to this, itching and pain symptom are quickly removed. Secondly, the active substances are absorbed very quickly and enter the bloodstream. Thirdly, the components of the gel do not clog the pores, therefore, the infection does not spread. A significant disadvantage of such funds is a short period of validity. The therapeutic effect occurs quickly, but also disappears.
Classification of drugs by basic substances and effect
The symptoms of allergic, atopic and seborrheic dermatitis are stopped by drugs that differ in the main active substance. It is this nuance that plays a significant role in the appointment of the drug to the patient. In modern medicine, there is the following classification of dermatitis drugs:
- Hormonal and non-hormonal, used in the fight against allergic inflammatory process. Since in most cases dermatitis is caused by allergens, drugs of this category are considered the most common. They have a wide list of indications and a huge number of species.
- Drugs that effectively relieve fungal and viral infections of the skin. Such dermatitis medications must be prescribed very carefully, as they have a narrow focus and are effective against specific microorganisms.
- Healing. In monotherapy, such drugs are not used, since their effect is aimed at healing the skin, and not at neutralizing the causes of dermatitis.
- Combined. The list of such drugs is quite limited. They combine several active substances that replace several complex therapy drugs.
Of course, we will not be able to consider all the remedies for dermatitis, but in the following sections of the article we will review the most popular and effective ones. And also tell you what types of dermatitis they cope best.
Preparations for children
It’s most difficult for a child to choose a medicine for dermatitis , since parents try to choose a remedy that gives the least side effects, so as not to harm the little man. But it is not always possible to get by with a simple preparation based on natural components and you have to switch to hormonal drugs. But the treatment is still worth starting with the safest ointments and creams. We will talk about them now.
In children, atopic dermatitis is most often observed, caused by weakened immunity and contact with allergens. When it comes to infants, it is quite difficult to determine the cause of the inflammatory process on the skin. But it is necessary to start treatment with the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease:
- rashes on the face and other parts of the body;
- dry skin;
- itching
Doctors in such cases prescribe non-hormonal drugs. They do not contain hormones, and most of the components are natural. Such drugs rarely give side effects and quickly remove the inflammatory process. In drugs of this group there is an age gradation, therefore, this nuance must be taken into account when acquiring cream or ointment in pharmacies.
If your baby is not yet a year old, and atopic dermatitis manifests itself quite brightly, then try the Eplan cream.
He receives a lot of positive reviews from mothers of infants. The cream belongs to non-hormonal therapy and simultaneously has three effects on the affected area:
- anti-inflammatory;
- regenerative;
- disinfecting.
You can use the cream from the first day after birth. Even with a long course of treatment, Eplan will not cause side effects and addiction. Apply the product to the lesion twice a day. It is quickly absorbed and leaves no greasy residue. Its cost rarely exceeds one hundred rubles.
The Bepanten cream also receives good reviews. It is universal, as it copes with all types of dermatitis equally effectively. The cream has a complex effect on inflamed skin: anti-inflammatory, regenerating and moisturizing. The last effect is most important with dryness and peeling, which annoy the baby. The cream is convenient because it is applied once a day. Bepanten is produced in various volumes. Depending on this, the price of the drug varies, it can cost from three hundred to seven hundred rubles.
Ointment "Radevit" can be used at any age. It is used in the treatment of children and as a medicine for dermatitis in adults. The ointment has a strong regenerating effect, and it manifests itself almost instantly. A few minutes after application to the skin, itching and burning are neutralized. The areas of redness gradually turn pale and after two to three days begin to correspond to the skin tone in other parts of the body. The course of treatment "Radevit" can be both short-term and long-term. It all depends on how quickly the disease recedes.
Medicines for children from a year
If dermatitis occurs in a child who is already twelve months old, then he may be prescribed "Gistan." Among identical means, this drug is considered the most affordable. It consists of the following components:
- extract from birch bark;
- extracts from several medicinal herbs;
- dimethicone (the substance is synthesized in laboratories and differs in that it creates a protective film on the affected areas of the skin).
The course of treatment with the drug can not last longer than one month, but the minimum period has limitations - seven days. The cost of the product does not exceed two hundred rubles, and in most pharmacy chains it can be purchased for one hundred and fifty rubles. Typically, this drug is prescribed for small patients after two years of age.
Hormonal drugs for children: for or against
Parents and doctors always try to avoid hormonal drugs, but with prolonged and inconclusive treatment with non-hormonal drugs, you have to switch to other medicines.
Doctors prescribe hormonal ointments and creams only when dermatitis is severe and with complications. If this is not done, then the condition of the small patient will only worsen. Specialists prescribe the minimum doses of hormonal drugs to babies and give parents recommendations that must be followed very strictly. Doctors select medicines for children commensurate with their age category and severity of the course of the disease.
Hormonal ointments have a lot of positive properties and advantages compared to other dermatitis drugs. They very quickly relieve unpleasant symptoms of the disease, such as itching, pain, dryness, redness and peeling. In addition, such drugs do not allow dermatitis to appear again, and in severe cases they can cope with complications.
Hormonal drugs intended for children are characterized by reduced absorption, but in contrast to their local effects. But sometimes side effects can also appear from treatment. This is due to the fact that children's skin is very thin, and the vessels are located close to its surface. Therefore, even the smallest dose of cream or ointment can quickly be absorbed into the blood. To avoid such situations, you need to purchase only the funds prescribed by your doctor and in no case do not arbitrarily extend the course of treatment.
Overview of hormonal drugs for children
For crumbs from six months, doctors often prescribe Lokoid. This drug is based on butylated hydrocortisone. The named hormone effectively removes substances that provoke dermatitis from the body. However, it causes a minimum of side effects.
From six months you can appoint and "Advantan." It has a very unusual hormone in its composition. By itself, it is inactive, but when interacting with enzymes produced by the body, it increases its activity by six times. With mild dermatitis, Advantan is able to eliminate all the symptoms of the disease within twenty-four hours after one application.
A child over one year old can be prescribed Fucicort. It has a wider spectrum of action than the agents described above. Fucicort has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Since the drug is quite strong, the course of treatment should not last more than fourteen days.
Medicines for adults
Big problems for adult patients are seborrheic dermatitis. Treatment with non-hormonal group drugs does not always give the desired result. Therefore, most often, doctors achieve positive dynamics due to hormonal drugs. However, with the first symptoms of the disease, zinc ointment is often used as first aid. If dermatitis has not yet managed to go into the chronic stage, then the chances of getting rid of the problem through zinc ointment are quite high. With seborrheic dermatitis, it is applied up to six times a day. It is very important to follow a diet during the treatment process and take vitamins. Zinc ointment is also used for other types of dermatitis. Typically, the lesion is treated with the drug twice a day.
If the cause of the disease is not established, then the doctor may prescribe Exoderil. The main active ingredient of the drug is naphthyne, among the additional components there are quite a lot of alcohols. This must be taken into account by persons who cannot tolerate these substances. The drug effectively relieves itching, neutralizes inflammation and has an antibacterial effect. In addition, it accelerates tissue regeneration.
Atopic dermatitis quickly eliminates Protopic. The medicine is very strong and is prescribed in severe cases. On average, one tube costs about six hundred rubles.
Conclusion
We have listed in the article the most common dermatitis drugs available on the market.But in your particular case, another drug may be suitable, which we did not mention in the article. Remember that any type of dermatitis requires first of all a doctor’s consultation and careful observance of all these recommendations regarding treatment.