Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a term for a skin irritation that has many causes and can take many different forms. It might cause itchy, dry skin or a rash; or it might result in blisters, pus, or flakes coming off the skin. Three common types of dermatitis are atopic dermatitis (eczema), seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Decoupage can cause contact dermatitis.
Dermatitis is not contagious, but it can make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. Moisturizing regularly helps to control the symptoms. Treatment may include medicated ointments creams and shampoos.
- Types
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
- Contact dermatitis
- Cradle cap
- Diaper rash
- Seborrheic dermatitis
Symptoms
Each type of skin disease occurs on a different part of your body. Signs and symptoms may include:
- Itchiness (pruritus)
- Dry skin
- There might be a rash on your skin that changes color depending on your skin color.
- You may get blisters with oozing and a crusty layer.
- Flaking skin (dandruff)
- Thickened skin
- Bumps in hair follicles
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if:
- You're feeling so uncomfortable that you're losing sleep or you're being distracted from your normal activities.
- Your skin becomes painful
- You suspect that your skin is infected
- You've tried taking care of yourself, but your symptoms haven't gone away.
Causes
Stung by a Plant
Dermatitis is caused by contact with something that irritates your skin, such as poison ivy perfume lotion or jewelry containing nickel. Other causes of dermatitis can include dry skin, a viral infection, bacteria, or stress. Dermatitis is also related to your genes and the environment. Immune system activity helps protect the body from infection.
Risk factors
The most common risk factors for dermatitis include:
- Age.Dermatitis can occur at any age, but eczema is more common in children than adults. It usually begins in infancy.
- Allergies and asthma.People who are prone to allergies such as hay fever or asthma are more likely to develop atopic dermatitis.
- Occupation.Jobs that involve contact with metal solvents or cleaning supplies increase your risk of skin irritation. Being a health care worker is linked to hand eczema.
- Health conditions.People with some health conditions are at an increased risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis, including congestive heart failure, Parkinson's disease, and HIV/AIDS.
Complications
Scratching the itchy rash that is associated with dermatitis may cause open sores which can become infected. These skin infections can spread and may occasionally be life-threatening.
If you have brown or black skin, you might get a dark or light brown mark on your skin after your skin heals from an injury. It might take months or years for your skin to return to its normal color.
Prevention
If you are working with irritants or caustic chemicals, you should wear protective clothing.
To prevent dry skin, follow these bath-time habits:
- Take shorter baths and showers.Take baths and showers for no more than 5 to 10 minutes. Use warm water, not hot. Add a little bath oil if desired.
- Use a gentle, nonsoap cleanser.Choose unscented cleansers that don't contain soap. Some soaps can dry your skin.
- Dry yourself gently.After bathing, gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel.
- Moisturize your skin. To keep your skin moist, seal in moisture with an oil cream or lotion while it is still damp. Try different products to find one that works for you. Ideally, the best product for you will be safe, effective, affordable, and unscented. Two small studies showed that applying a protective moisturizer to the skin of infants can help reduce the risk of eczema and other skin conditions. Decoupling from a high-risk lifestyle reduced the incidence of atopic dermatitis by up to 50%.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms and examine your skin to diagnose dermatitis. You may need to have a small piece of skin removed (biopsied) for study in a lab, which helps rule out other conditions.
Patch testing
Your doctor may recommend testing your skin for reactions. In this test, small amounts of different substances are applied to your skin and then covered. Your doctor will visit you over the next few days to look for signs of a reaction. Patch testing can help identify specific types of reactions.Dermatitis is often caused by allergies.
Treatment
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating dermatitis. Depending on the cause and your symptoms, treatment might include recommendations like changing your lifestyle and home remedies, or medications.
- Corticosteroid creams, gels, or ointments will be applied to the affected skin.
- Ointments or creams that inhibit your body'scalcium-dependent immune response may be applied to the affected skin.
- The affected area will be treated with natural or artificial light (phototherapy).
- Using oral corticosteroids or injectable dupilumab for severe disease can be very helpful.
- Wetting dressings are a medical treatment for severe atopic dermatitis that involves applying a corticosteroid and wrapping it in wet bandages.
Clinical trials
Look at studies conducted by the Mayo Clinic to find new treatments and tests that can help prevent, treat, or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Managing dermatitis can be helped by following these self-care habits:
- Moisturize your skin.Moisturizing your skin regularly can help it stay healthy.
- Apply anti-inflammatory and anti-itch products to help relieve the pain and inflammation.Oral antihistamines may help reduce itching. Hydrocortisone cream might temporarily relieve your symptoms. These products are available without a prescription.
- Apply a cool wet cloth. This helps soothe your skin.
- Take a comfortably warm bath. Soak in a bath filled with baking soda or ground oatmeal. Bathe for 5 to 10 minutes, pat dry, andapply a lightweight moisturizer while the skin is still damp. For a more intense moisturizing treatment, use 12% ammonium lactate or 10% alpha hydroxy acid, which will help reduce flaky dry skin. Put skin on the chicken. Use chicken skin to make a chicken wrap.
- Use medicated shampoos.For dandruff, use over-the-counter shampoos that contain selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione coal tar, or ketoconazole.
Take a dilute bleach bath. This might help people with severe atopic dermatitis by decreasing the bacteria on the skin. For a dilute bleach bath, mix 1/2 cup (about 118 milliliters) of household bleach with 40 gallons (151 liters) of warm water. To do this in the U.S., use measures that are 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) for a U.S. standard-sized bathtub. Pour enough water into the tub so that it overflows by a couple of inches. Soak the leaves for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse them off before patting them dry. Do this 2 to 3 times a week.
Many people have had success using a weaker vinegar bath rather than a bleach bath. Add 1 cup (about 236 milliliters) of vinegar to a bathtub filled with warm water.
- Avoid rubbing and scratching.If you can't stop scratching the itchy area, put a dressing on it. Cut your nails short and wear gloves at night to avoid scratching.
- Choose mild laundry detergent.Choose mild-scented laundry products to avoid irritating your skin.
- Avoid known irritants or allergens.Try to identify and remove things that may cause you to have skin irritation. Avoid clothing that is rough or scratchy.
- Manage your stress.Emotional stress can cause some types of skin disease to worsen. Try relaxation techniques or biofeedback to manage stress.
Alternative medicine
Some alternative therapies, including those listed below, have helped some people manage their dermatitis. But the effectiveness of these therapies is mixed; sometimes they cause irritation or an allergic reaction.
- Dietary supplements such as vitamin D and probiotics can help improve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
- Rice bran broth can be used to treat atopic dermatitis.
- 5% tea tree oil shampoo, for dandruff
- Aloe, for seborrheic dermatitis
- Chinese herbal therapy
Before you try dietary supplements or any other alternative therapies, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks.
Preparing for your appointment
You can first bring your concerns to the attention of your family doctor. Or you may see a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions (dermatologist).
Here are some things to know before your appointment and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
Before your appointment, list the following questions: -What are my symptoms? -What have I been doing to relieve my symptoms? -What are the possible causes of my symptoms?
- What are the symptoms you are experiencing and when did they start?
- Can you think of anything that might have caused your symptoms?
- What medications are you taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications?
- Are you allergic or asthma-prone?
- What have you tried so far? Has anything helped?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may ask you a few questions. Being ready to answer them may help you save time by discussing any points you want to discuss in more detail. Depending on the type of dermatitis you have, your doctor may ask:
- Are your symptoms intermittent or do they tend to stay the same?
- How often do you shower or bathe?
- What kinds of products do you use on your skin, including soap, lotion, and cosmetics?
- What cleaning products do you use at home?
- Can you think of any environmental factors that could be causing you irritation?
- Are you feeling stressed or depressed lately?
- How much do your symptoms affect your day-to-day life?