Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis is produced by a substance that has a direct toxic effect on the skin. After exposure to an irritant, a skin reaction can occur immediately or gradually after repeated exposure.

Examples of common irritants include acids (certain toilet bowl and drain cleaners, dishwasher detergents), alkalis (ammonia, lye), cement, turpentine, and paint thinners.

With acute and mild exposure, there is typically redness, swelling, and oozing.

If left untreated, the condition can result in dry, thickened, cracked skin.Irritant contact dermatitis is often more painful than itchy, and is the result of an offending agent that actually damages the skin with which it comes into contact.

The longer the skin is in contact—or the more concentrated the agent—the more severe the reaction.

Water with added soaps and detergents is the most common cause. Thus, it is not surprising that these reactions appear most often on the hands, and are frequently work-related.

Individuals with other skin diseases, especially eczema, are most susceptible.

DERMATITIS: SEPARATING THE FACTS FROM FICTION

Dermatitis is the most common inflammatory disease of the skin. It affects 15 million adults and children - 6% of all Americans. It nearly always begins within the first 5 years of life and while 50% of cases will be outgrown, the remainder will persist throughout a lifetime.

The exact cause of the condition is not known, but genetic factors are thought to play a role in the development of this disease.

Persons with dermatitis often have allergies or asthma, as well. Various materials such as wool can cause a worsening of symptoms.

Dermatitis appears as redness, scaling and/or small blisters (vesicles) on the head, face, neck, or the insides of the elbows, wrists, and knees. These characteristic features are often masked by secondary lesions such as crusting, excoriations, infection, or irritation from topical treatments.

There is no cure for dermatitis. Current therapy is directed at suppressing the inflammation and reducing triggering factors with topical treatments and ultraviolet light therapy.

Dermatitis Causes and Locations

The more common types of dermatitis include: Contact Dermatitis is dermatitis caused by physical contact with an irritant or allergen; Atopic Dermatitis is a hereditary dermatitis thought to be caused by an allergic reaction; Stasis Dermatitis is dermatitis of the leg area due to poor circulation; Seborrheic Dermatitis appears as flaking or redness of the skin; Neurodermatitis is dermatitis caused by repeated scratching or chafing.

Common Types of Dermatitis

The more common types of dermatitis include: Contact Dermatitis is dermatitis caused by physical contact with an irritant or allergen; Atopic Dermatitis is a hereditary dermatitis thought to be caused by an allergic reaction; Stasis Dermatitis is dermatitis of the leg area due to poor circulation; Seborrheic Dermatitis appears as flaking or redness of the skin; Neurodermatitis is dermatitis caused by repeated scratching or chafing.

Dermatitis Defined

Dermatitis is inflammation of the various levels of the dermis which is the second layer of the skin. The dermis contains sweat glands, blood vessels and nerves to provide sensations of pleasure, pain, pressure, itch, or temperature. The dermis is composed of tissue types of collagen, elastic tissue, and reticular fibers. Any rash or inflammation such as psoriasis, eczema, skin cancer, seborrhea, etc. is dermatitis. Specific types of dermatitis are as follows: allergic contact dermatitis which is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction involving allergens and antibodies, contact dermatitis is due to exposure to irritating chemicals or detergents, atopic dermatitis which is an allergic reaction that is accompanied by hay fever, asthma, and very dry skin.

Skin Care for Dermatitis

Whether or not you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin, chances are that you've had a reaction to a skin-care product or cosmetic somewhere on your face or body. For some, identifying which product caused the problem and discontinuing its use is enough to improve the appearance of skin within a day or two. For others, even after you've stopped using the item(s), your skin can remain irritated for days or even months. There are a few simple things you can do to wage a successful battle against your skin's irritated response. Be certain you are dealing with an allergy or sensitizing reaction to a product, and not a skin disorder. Many skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, folliculitis (an inflammation of the hair follicle), and reactions to food cause irritated, swollen, red, itchy, flaky, or rashy skin. Medscape.com is a great resource for identifying whether or not you're having an allergic or sensitizing reaction. Go to their Primary Care home page, http://www.medscape.com/primarycarehome, and then look for the link to their Dermatology Atlas where you can search over 2,600 images of skin problems. (You will need to create a user name and password, but otherwise this is a free online service of Medscape.) This gives you a way to help identify whether or not your skin looks like the images found for a particular skin disorder.

Dermatitis Facts

Dermatitis is the most common inflammatory disease of the skin. It affects 15 million adults and children - 6% of all Americans. It nearly always begins within the first 5 years of life and while 50% of cases will be outgrown, the remainder will persist throughout a lifetime.The exact cause of the condition is not known, but genetic factors are thought to play a role in the development of this disease.Persons with dermatitis often have allergies or asthma, as well. Various materials such as wool can cause a worsening of symptoms.Dermatitis appears as redness, scaling and/or small blisters (vesicles) on the head, face, neck, or the insides of the elbows, wrists, and knees. These characteristic features are often masked by secondary lesions such as crusting, excoriations, infection, or irritation from topical treatments.There is no cure for dermatitis. Current therapy is directed at suppressing the inflammation and reducing triggering factors with topical treatments and ultraviolet light therapy.

Learning the Facts on Eczema

Around one in 12 adults and one in five children have eczema.There are many different types of eczema from mild to severe including Atopic Eczema - the most common form that often runs in families and Contact Eczema which may be caused by irritants such as detergents.Eczema is a non-contagious inflammatory condition of the skin. The term "eczema" comes from the Greek word ekzein meaning "to boil over". The most common features of eczema are very itchy, dry, red skin. The itching and scratching, commonly known as the "itch-scratch-itch cycle", are seen as the most distressing part of eczema, causing disturbed sleep for the person with eczema.The itchiness produces an urge to scratch which can be hard to resist - whatever your age. Eczema can make the skin dry, hot and itchy and it can become broken, raw and bleeding.However certain things such as stress, house dust mites and detergents can make it worse. Conventional treatments include moisturizers and topical steroids. However, everyone's skin is different, what helps one will not always help another.If not treated appropriately the skin may get more irritated and itchy leading to more scratching and damage to the skin. Emotionally and physically this can be devastating.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis is a red, itchy, weepy reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign, such as poison ivy or certain preservatives in creams and lotions. Red, bumpy, scaly, itchy, and swollen skin are all symptoms which can signify an allergic skin condition. These skin problems are often caused by an immune system reaction, signifying an allergy. Allergic skin conditions can take several forms and are due to various causes.

Dermatitis on the Hands

Hand eczema often results from a combination of causes, including genetic makeup, injury, contact with irritants and allergy. It is frequently caused or aggravated by work, when it is known as occupational dermatitis. Hand dermatitis is particularly common in industries involving cleaning, catering, metalwork, hairdressing, healthcare and mechanical work.Hand dermatitis varies in severity. It may affect the backs of the hands, the palms or both sites. Often it starts as a mild intermittent complaint, but it can become increasingly severe and persistent. The affected skin initially becomes red and dry, then progresses to itchy bumps and fluid-filled blisters, scaling, cracking, weeping and swelling. Bacterial infection can result in pustules, crusting and pain. Longstanding dermatitis at the ends of the fingers may result in deformed nails. Hand dermatitis can spread to affect other sites, particularly the forearms and feet.