What is dermatitis?

It is a very frequent condition in which the skin is irritated for different reasons and can appear in various ways, although the most common are reddish rash with skin inflammation, extreme dryness accompanied by itching, or the appearance of blisters.

Despite not being a serious disorder and not being contagious, dermatitis can be annoying, affecting your confidence and self-esteem.

Types of dermatitis and symptoms:

• Eczema or atopic:
  it is due to a genetic issue, immune system depression, infections, or allergies. Dry skin is its main characteristic along with a reddish rash and extreme itching. It mainly occurs in the folds of the skin (inner area of the knees and elbows) and on the front of the neck.
• By contact:
  occurs when the skin comes into contact with some substance, material, or element that causes skin irritation, depending on our allergenic response to them. The symptoms are the appearance of a reddish rash accompanied by irritation and blistering.
• Seborrheic:
  originates in the skin’s sebum when it is invaded by a fungus, causing skin irritation. Causes scaly patches, skin redness, and dandruff. It usually occurs in oily areas such as the back, chest, and face.

Potential risks:

• Asthma and recurrent allergies:
  atopic dermatitis has a higher incidence when there is a family history of having suffered from it, in addition to asthma and various allergies.
• Chemicals and cleaning products:
  there is a high risk of developing contact dermatitis in people who handle chemicals, metals, or cleaning products.
• Conditions:
  seborrheic dermatitis usually appears in patients with AIDS, heart failure, and Parkinson’s disease.

Dermatitis causes intense itching, so when you scratch it is possible to cause abrasions and produce sores that are susceptible to acquiring an infection, which, if not controlled, can spread or deepen and cause serious complications.

How to prevent it

• Shorten your shower time and don’t use hot water, just warm or cold water.
• Use a low PH, hypoallergenic, and unscented soap.
• To dry yourself, use a soft, fluffy towel, and do not rub the skin.
• Once the skin is dry, apply a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizer.
• Wear protective clothing and equipment when exposed to chemicals or cleaning with irritating products.

Your doctor will analyze your symptoms and your clinical history, in addition to thoroughly checking your skin lesions. They will most likely take a biopsy, which is a small tissue sample, to analyze it, confirm the diagnosis, and rule out other conditions.

Likewise, for greater precision on the possible allergen that has triggered dermatitis, they can perform the so-called patch test, which consists of applying various substances on the skin that are then covered with a patch to observe the skin’s reaction to the different agents.

The treatment is variable and will depend on the type of dermatitis, your symptoms, and its possible origin, however, it usually includes:

• Phototherapy.
• Corticosteroids in topical lotions.
• Lotions with drugs that weaken the immune system to reduce the allergic reaction.
• Oral or intramuscular systemic corticosteroids if symptoms are very severe.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

• Internal Medicine
• High Specialty Surgery Center
• Radiology and Molecular Imaging
• Clinical Laboratory