Pathogenic microorganisms, getting into human skin tissues, often lead to the development of various diseases, including dermatitis. The infectious inflammatory process is accompanied by the appearance of a rash, erosion, ulcers and, of course, physical and aesthetic discomfort. If untreated, the disease can lead to a number of complications. That is why it is important to know what infectious dermatitis is, what are the causes of its occurrence, and are there effective treatments.
Infectious Dermatitis: Causes
This form of disease is accompanied by skin lesions that develop against the background of the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the tissues. It should be said right away that in most cases, infectious dermatitis develops against the background of such "childhood" viral diseases as measles, rubella, chickenpox, etc.
Nevertheless, bacterial microorganisms, in particular staphylococci and streptococci, can also be the causative agent. Much less often, infectious dermatitis develops against the background of activity of candida fungi. By the way, sometimes the disease is the result of sexually transmitted infections.
Are there any risk factors?
At one point or another, each person is directly confronted with infections. Nevertheless, far from all, the activity of pathogenic microorganisms causes dermatitis. There are some risk factors, the presence of which increases the likelihood of developing such diseases.
In particular, an infection often causes complications if the patient has a decreased immune system activity. Various infectious and chronically inflammatory diseases lead to a weakening of defenses. Risk factors include malnutrition, lack of physical activity, vitamin deficiency and anemia. Children are more prone to dermatitis, because the above diseases are most often found precisely in childhood, except for sexually transmitted diseases, of course.
What are the symptoms of infectious dermatitis?
It is immediately worth saying that the symptoms of infectious dermatitis depend on the type of primary disease. Nevertheless, some common signs can still be distinguished:
- skin rash (its features, location, color, size and other characteristics depend on the pathogen);
- in almost any form of the disease, patients complain of itching of varying intensity (quite often infectious dermatitis in children is accompanied by severe burning and itching, which leads to scratching of the skin, the likelihood of secondary infection and scarring);
- redness (hyperemia) of the skin can also be noted, which is associated with increased filling of the subcutaneous vessels with blood);
- symptoms include peeling of the skin.
If you have such symptoms, you should seek help - self-medication in this case can be extremely dangerous.
Features of the clinical picture depending on the primary disease
Of course, the symptoms of the disease directly depend on the type of pathogen:
- For example, dermatitis in such a common disease as measles has the appearance of papular-spotted rashes throughout the body. The disease is accompanied by fever, cough, poor health.
- Another known ailment is scarlet fever. Rashes with this disease look like small red spots that can merge with the edges. At first, the rash is localized on the skin of the shoulders and arms, but after 3-4 days you can see infectious dermatitis on the legs, stomach, back and other parts of the body.
- Speaking of viral dermatitis, one cannot but mention chickenpox. Skin lesions in this disease have the appearance of a blistering rash with a clear, watery liquid inside. The appearance of rashes is accompanied by itching. On the other hand, combing the skin is fraught with infectious lesions and scarring.
In fact, a rash with infectious dermatitis can look different. That is why you should not self-medicate - if the first alarming symptoms appear, consult a doctor.
Diagnosis Methods
Diagnosis of infectious dermatitis, unfortunately, is quite often associated with some difficulties, since it is not always possible to detect the presence of a problem on time. As already mentioned, skin damage is a secondary disease and rarely occurs by itself.
An anamnesis and external examination, as a rule, are enough to suspect the presence of dermatitis and suspect its causes. Naturally, further laboratory tests are carried out. Blood samples are taken for analysis (an increased number of leukocytes indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body), as well as scraping from the skin, the fluid contained in the papules, etc. It is important not only to determine the presence of the disease and make a diagnosis, but also to find out the nature of the pathogen and his reaction to certain drugs. The more information was collected during the diagnosis, the easier and faster the therapy will go.
Treatment regimen
Therapy is often associated with some difficulties, since far from all cases it is possible to determine the cause of the appearance of rashes. If it is possible to determine the nature of the pathogen, then, in accordance with the results of the tests, patients are prescribed antiviral or antifungal agents, antibiotics. Sometimes immunomodulators are additionally used that strengthen the immune system.
Naturally, local treatment is also necessary. Sometimes doctors recommend treating affected skin with antiseptic agents (for example, a solution of methylene blue). In more severe cases, patients are prescribed ointments based on glucocorticosteroids, which help to quickly eliminate the inflammatory process.
Infection and Atopic Dermatitis
Probably, many have heard about such a disease as atopic dermatitis. This is a common problem, which in most cases manifests itself in children in the first months of life. In fact, this is an allergic reaction, and different substances can play the role of triggers, from foodstuffs to household chemicals and other elements of everyday life.
In some children, the so-called infectious atopic dermatitis is diagnosed. This form of the disease develops if pathogenic microorganisms penetrate into the affected areas of the skin of the child - secondary infection occurs. Infectious-allergic dermatitis is treated in approximately the same way as atopic. Sometimes it is necessary to additionally use antibiotics and antiseptic ointments.
Is it possible to use traditional medicine?
How else can you deal with an unpleasant and dangerous disease called "infectious dermatitis"? Treatment can be supplemented with traditional medicine. For example, in some forms of skin lesions, baths or lotions from a decoction of chamomile or succession are useful, as these plants have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
For antiseptic treatment of affected areas of the skin, ointment from St. John's wort can be prepared. First you need to fill in a tablespoon of dry grass with 100 ml of boiling water, let the mixture infuse, then strain and mix with 50 grams of butter. Prepared ointment needs to lubricate the affected areas of the skin several times a day - this helps to relieve peeling and inflammation, as well as to clear tissues from pathogenic microorganisms.
Some healers recommend the use of grated raw potato compresses. But it is worthwhile to understand that you can only use home-made medicines with the permission of a doctor.
Complications of Infectious Dermatitis
To begin with, it is worth saying that in most cases the disease responds well to treatment. Complications occur only with improper therapy or in the absence of it. Risk factors include a highly weakened immune system.
The most common complications include the appearance of scars and scars on the skin. This is due to the constant combing of skin tissues. In rare cases, patients after some time develop chronic dermatitis. The infectious process is replaced by a sluggish current inflammation.
In some cases, the infection can spread to the deeper layers of the skin, which leads to more complex lesions.
Are there any prevention methods?
Many people are interested in the question of whether it is possible to somehow prevent the development of a disease such as dermatitis. After all, an infectious disease gives the patient a lot of inconvenience. Unfortunately, there is no means that can permanently protect the body from infection. Nevertheless, if you avoid contact with pathogenic organisms, adhere to the rules of personal hygiene and consult a doctor in time, you can reduce the likelihood of developing an ailment or its complications. Preventive measures also include proper nutrition, hardening, physical activity - in short, everything that can strengthen the immune system.