Contact dermatitis is an irritation or acute inflammation of the skin that occurs after contact with an irritant. Basically, the disease does not cause serious harm to the body, but causes significant aesthetic discomfort.
Do not delay the treatment and prevention, so that you can not only eliminate the disease, but also prevent the occurrence of a similar problem in the future.
Features of the disease
Contact dermatitis is a common disease caused by exposure to allergens or other irritating factors. 5-30% of the population suffers from this disease. It proceeds with damage to the skin of various degrees and, depending on its variety, can develop from several days to weeks.
Dermatitis can be simple and allergic. The first type occurs after direct skin contact with toxic or irritating substances. Allergic dermatitis occurs as a result of interaction with a specific allergen. In this case, the substance provoking the reaction does not have to be irritating or toxic.
It is imperative to timely recognize the existing symptoms, correctly diagnose and conduct complex treatment. Contact dermatitis is a complex disease that can occur in acute and chronic form. In the acute stage, skin rashes, the formation of erythema and vesicles appear. The chronic form is characterized by thickening of the skin and their dryness.
Main varieties
Contact dermatitis is a complex disease that necessarily requires complex treatment. There are several types of disease, each of which has a certain mechanism of development and manifestation. These include such as:
- plain;
- allergic;
- phototoxic;
- photoallergic.
Simple contact dermatitis occurs in approximately 80% of all diseases. Each person has a predisposition to this pathology. A characteristic inflammation develops in connection with the action of various irritants. Contact dermatitis, the photo of which clearly indicates a particular course of the disease, can manifest itself in the form of frostbite or burns.
Symptoms of the pathology appear almost immediately after interaction with the stimulus. The affected area corresponds to the contact area. It is worth noting that the severity of the manifestation of dermatitis largely depends on its form. It can be acute and chronic.
The first type is characterized by the fact that it manifests itself as a sharp reddening, tightening and burning of the skin in the area of contact with the allergen. The longer it will come into contact with the skin, the more severe the signs of the course of the disease will be. In particular, puffiness occurs and wet vesicles appear. A person complains of severe malaise and fever.
The chronic form develops with prolonged and systematic exposure of the stimulus to the skin. Symptoms of the disease can occur periodically and manifest as swelling, redness, cracking and peeling. In general, the nature of the manifestation of any form of the disease largely depends on the time of exposure to the stimulus and its intensity, as well as on the characteristics of the immune system.
Allergic contact dermatitis (see photo in the article) is an individual reaction of the body that occurs in about 20% of people suffering from dermatitis. The substance that provokes inflammation does not have to be toxic, as the disease may appear due to changes in the immune system or hypersensitivity to certain substances.
Allergy does not occur immediately after the penetration of the allergen into the body. The first symptoms on the skin may appear earlier than 1-2 weeks after the first contact. Rashes can be on different parts of the body.
Phototoxic dermatitis is similar to simple contact, but its development requires exposure to ultraviolet rays. Under their action, stimuli break down and toxins form. Medications and various chemicals can become a provocateur.
The disease manifests itself in the form of burning and soreness after exposure to the sun. The incubation period can take several hours or days, and after a few days the skin begins to peel off. In severe lesions, the symptoms of the disease can be confused with a sunburn, especially when large blisters occur. In addition, swelling may appear.
Photoallergic dermatitis develops when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. As a result, allergens bind to endogenous proteins. This is a delayed reaction that appears after repeated contact with an allergen. Pathogens should include medications and chemicals.
Causes of occurrence
The causes of contact dermatitis are associated with exposure to biological, chemical and physical environmental factors that affect the skin. A person very often comes into contact with irritants in everyday life. These include various detergents. The causes of the disease can be divided into obligate and optional. The former have the same annoying property for the skin of any person. Obligatory reasons include the following:
- alkalis and acids;
- excessive pressure and friction;
- poisonous plants, insects and animals;
- high and low temperatures;
- ionizing radiation.
Optional causes provoke inflammation only with increased skin sensitivity to allergens, and these include:
- turpentine;
- metal salts;
- washing powder;
- some plants;
- external medications and cosmetics.
It is important to recognize the provoking factor in a timely manner, to conduct diagnostics and subsequent treatment. In addition, preventive measures are important.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of contact dermatitis in adults largely depend on the particular course of the disease. In the acute form, the signs are quite pronounced, and it is characterized by swelling of the affected skin. In case of friction or pressure in adults, a chronic pathological process may develop. It is characterized by skin tightening and the formation of infiltrate.
Among the main signs of contact dermatitis, it is necessary to distinguish such as:
- redness, dryness and peeling of the inflamed area;
- severe itching;
- the appearance of fluid-filled bubbles;
- accession of a secondary bacterial infection;
- the formation of microscopic cracks.
Often an allergic form occurs on the hands, as this part of the body is regularly exposed to allergens and various negative environmental factors. This disease can be treated well, but there are also chronic forms, which are quite difficult to get rid of.
Having studied the symptoms and photos of contact dermatitis, you can determine the peculiarity of the course of the disease. The period of development of the disease is characterized by the appearance of such signs as:
- restlessness and irritability;
- insomnia;
- neurosis.
In the chronic form of the disease, the symptoms are more prolonged, since the skin dries out greatly, microscopic cracks appear. Patients with a severe form of the disease require treatment in a hospital, as they have severe weakness, headache, chills, fever.
Diagnostics
To diagnose contact dermatitis, special tests are carried out, involving the application of an allergen to a specific area of the skin. If changes are observed in the human epidermis 3 hours after the test, then a diagnosis can be made accurately. A similar study is carried out 14 days after the complete disappearance of skin manifestations.
During the diagnosis, patients are assigned a general and biochemical analysis of blood and urine. In the presence of dysbiosis, a coprogram is performed, examination for hormones, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity. A histological examination for the diagnosis of contact dermatitis is not prescribed.
During the examination, differential diagnosis is required. When conducting a diagnosis, it is very important to know what contact dermatitis looks like, so that you can absolutely accurately make a diagnosis.
Therapy
Features of treatment and a photo of contact dermatitis should be studied before therapy. Be sure to eliminate the irritant and use protective clothing, gloves. Therapy must be carried out on clean skin.
For patients with an allergic form of the disease, systemic treatment is not required, since all manifestations disappear immediately after the elimination of the allergen. If necessary, potent ointments and creams are prescribed. If the skin is simply inflamed due to rubbing the skin, apply zinc-containing ointments. For better treatment and penetration of drugs, special hermetic dressings are applied to prevent air from entering the affected area.
If rashes on the skin are localized in the face or on the genitals, then internal intake of glucocorticoids is recommended for 2-3 weeks.
Local treatment
Many are interested in how to cure contact dermatitis quickly and effectively. A good result is provided by local remedies that help eliminate unpleasant symptoms. Glucocorticoid ointments have proven themselves well, in particular, such:
- Advantan
- Akriderm;
- "Flucinar."
Ointments help eliminate inflammation and itching, stop the purulent process, and also prevent the growth of fungi. In addition, they contribute to the restoration of the skin. Apply such ointments mainly once a day with a thin layer on the affected area. Ointments should be used very carefully, since with an overdose they can provoke skin atrophy.
In the case of phototoxic dermatitis, glucocorticoids are used in the form of a lotion, spray or emulsion. In especially complex cases, systemic therapy with corticosteroids is prescribed, in particular, such as Sinaflan or Dermoveit.
With weeping dermatitis or severe swelling, special lotions are used that dry the skin. A gauze napkin is lowered into a cooled solution of tannin, squeezed out a little and applied to the affected area. After cooling, the procedure is repeated. This treatment is carried out for 15 minutes several times a day.
If there are blisters with liquid contents on the skin, they are punctured, dressings impregnated with Burov's liquid are applied. If the treatment was chosen correctly, then the rashes on the skin will turn pale and decrease, and itching and swelling will gradually pass. If the desired result is not observed, then the doctor will prescribe other drugs.
Means for internal use
How to treat contact dermatitis can only be decided by the attending physician after a comprehensive diagnosis. When a severe form of the disease occurs, glucocorticoid drugs are prescribed in the form of solutions for intravenous use or in tablet form. These include the drug Prednisolone. To eliminate puffiness and itching, antihistamines are prescribed, in particular, such as:
- "Cetirizine";
- Loratadine
- Suprastin.
Such drugs block the effect of histamine in the tissues and greatly facilitate overall well-being. If a bacterial infection has joined, antibiotics are prescribed. In severe forms of the disease, if a significant part of the skin is affected, the patient is hospitalized and outpatient treatment is prescribed.
Folk remedies
In the treatment of contact dermatitis, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the photo and symptoms of the course of the disease first. The use of alternative medicine is allowed in the mild course of the disease. In addition, their use is permitted in the case of a chronic course of dermatitis after elimination of the allergen.
Grate raw potatoes, transfer to gauze and apply as a compress to the affected area. Remove after 2 hours. This remedy helps eliminate inflammation and itching.
Grind 1 tbsp. l flowers and leaves of geraniums, add 1 tbsp. vegetable oil and leave in a dark place for 5 days. Then keep it in a transparent container for 1.5 months in a bright, sunny place. Apply to affected areas 1-2 times a day.
Grind 1 tsp. succession and cones of hop, pour 1 tbsp. boiling water and put for 1 hour to insist in a dark place. You can drink inside 100-150 ml of fresh solution daily or apply a swab to the inflamed area.
Mix 2 tbsp. l vegetable oil and tar, 100 ml of water and 100 g of baby soap. Warm up and bring to a homogeneous mass, and then apply 1-2 times a day. Before using any of these products, apply a little to healthy skin and wait 24 hours.
Features of dermatitis in children
Often this disease occurs in childhood. This is due to the characteristics of the skin, as in a child it is softer and more gentle than in adults. In childhood, dermatitis is often observed in the area of skin folds, on the buttocks and hips, in the perineum. The reasons for this may be:
- body care products;
- improperly selected diapers;
- skin contact with metals and coarse tissues.
Dermatitis manifests itself in the form of a rash or slight redness. Then in the affected area may appear:
- swelling;
- weeping areas;
- itching and burning;
- peeling.
Contact dermatitis in a child is considered a completely normal manifestation, but it definitely requires treatment, since the disease can quickly turn into a chronic form. It is necessary to find out the cause of the disease as soon as possible and eliminate contact with the stimulus.
It is necessary to arrange the baby with air and water baths as often as possible. Specialized baby oils are best replaced with boiled vegetable oils.
Possible complications
Complications arise when a bacterial infection is attached at the site of the lesion. In this case, abscesses, ulcers, phlegmon are formed, the treatment of which is quite complicated.
In addition, with constant interaction with an allergen, the disease can become chronic, which is difficult to cope with.
Prevention and prognosis
There is no primary prevention of contact dermatitis, and the secondary is to prevent further contact with the allergen. Subject to this condition, the prognosis is rather favorable and full recovery sets in.
In the case of a sluggish course of the chronic form of the disease, antihistamines should be used at the first signs of the disease.