Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. The word
"dermatitis" is used to describe a number of different skin rashes that are
caused by infections, allergies, and irritating substances. The rashes range
from mild to severe and can cause the following skin conditions, depending on
their cause:
- Itchiness
- Painful ulcers
- Reddening
- Thickening
- Swelling
- Marking
- Crusting
- Scaling
- Creasing
- Blisters
This article will describe contact and atopic dermatitis, two common types of dermatitis.
What is contact dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes in
contact with a substance that causes an allergic reaction (allergic contact
dermatitis) or when there is an injury to the skin's surface (irritant contact
dermatitis).
Skin can become allergic to a substance after many
exposures or after just one exposure. (Most people will have an allergic
reaction to poison ivy after one exposure, for instance.) Common sources of
allergic contact dermatitis include cosmetics, rubber, nickel, and other metals.
Substances that can irritate the skin include
detergents, soaps, cleaners, waxes, and chemicals. These substances can wear
down the oily, protective layer on the skin’s surface and lead to irritant
contact dermatitis. This condition is most common among people who regularly
work with strong chemicals, such as restaurant, maintenance, and chemical workers.
What are the symptoms of contact dermatitis?
Allergic contact dermatitis:
- Skin reddening
- Blisters that ooze (Fluid from blisters is not contagious. It will not
spread the skin rash to other parts of the body or to other people.)
- Itching which can become intense
- Swelling in eyes, face, and genital areas (severe cases)
Irritant contact dermatitis:
- Mild swelling
- Stiff, tight-feeling skin
- Dry, cracking skin
- Blisters
- Painful ulcers
Symptoms vary, depending on the cause of dermatitis.
How can I know if I have contact dermatitis?
If you have a skin rash that won't go away, visit your
health care provider. If the doctor suspects allergic contact dermatitis, he or
she may perform patch tests. In this test, the doctor places small samples of
chemicals on an area of skin to see if a rash develops.
There are no tests for irritant contact dermatitis. Tell your health care provider about
any irritating substances or chemicals that you regularly come into contact with (including
cosmetics, lotions, and nail polish).
With either type of contact dermatitis, you can avoid
substances you suspect to see if the rash goes away.
How is contact dermatitis treated?
The form of treatment will depend on the cause of your
dermatitis. Common treatments include:
- Cortisone-type creams (In severe cases, these drugs may be given by mouth.)
- Antihistamines (a medicine to relieve itching)
- Dry skin (lotions and creams)
- Oatmeal baths (to relieve itching)
How can I prevent contact dermatitis?
For allergic contact dermatitis:
- Avoid contact with substances that cause the skin rash.
- Wash any area that comes into contact with allergic substances.
- Learn to recognize poison oak and poison ivy plants.
For irritant contact dermatitis:
- Wear cotton gloves under rubber gloves for all wet work. You can also
use petroleum jelly to protect your skin. Reapply the petroleum jelly two or
three times a day and after washing your hands.
- Avoid contact with substances that irritate your skin.
- Use mild soaps.
- Use hand creams and lotions frequently.
What is atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that may be
passed on from parents to children. It can occur at any time in life, but
usually first appears when children are infants, and may not diminish until
early adulthood. More than half of infants with atopic dermatitis grow out of
the condition by school age, though flare-ups can occur throughout life.
The condition is most common among families who have a
history of environmental allergies. Though food allergies may cause flare-ups,
removing suspected foods (such as eggs, milk, fish, wheat, and peanuts) from
your child's diet is not likely to cure the problem. If you suspect that a food
is worsening the rash, discuss this with your health care provider.
Atopic dermatitis can also worsen when the skin comes into contact with irritating substances
such as harsh soaps and scratchy, tight-fitting clothing. Scratching can also promote infections
that require treatment.
What are the symptoms of atopic dermatitis?
In infants:
- Red, very itchy dry patches of skin
- Rash on the cheeks that often begins at 2 to 6 months of age
- Rash oozes when scratched. Symptoms can become worse if the child
scratches the rash.
In adolescence and early adulthood:
- Rash on creases of hands, elbows, wrists, and knees, and sometimes on
the feet, ankles, and neck
- Dry, scaly, brownish-gray skin rash
- Thickened skin with markings
- Skin rash may bleed and crust after scratching.
How is atopic dermatitis treated?
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition, which means
that it cannot be cured. Treatments, however, are very effective in reducing the
symptoms of itching and dry skin.
Your health care provider can prescribe lotions and
oral medications (those taken by mouth). These treatments include corticosteroid
creams and antihistamines. Follow your health care provider's instructions for
using the medications.
To help your child, you can also:
- Avoid long, hot baths, which can dry the skin. Use lukewarm water
instead and give your child sponge baths.
- Apply lotion immediately after bathing while the skin is still moist.
This will help trap moisture in the skin.
- Keep the room temperature as regular as possible. Changes in room
temperature and humidity can dry the skin.
- Keep your child dressed in cotton. Wool, silk, and manmade fabrics such
as polyester can irritate the skin.
- Use mild laundry soap and make sure that clothes are well rinsed.
- Watch for skin infections. Contact your health care provider if you
notice an infection.
- Avoid rubbing or scratching the rash.
- Use moisturizers several times daily. In infants, with atopic
dermatitis, moisturizing on a regular basis (with each diaper change for
example) is extremely helpful.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 11/6/2009...#4089
