Contact Dermatitis, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

This book describes Contact Dermatitis, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases
Contact Dermatitis is a frequent skin disorder which presents as an erythematous or vesicular rash on face, neck, hands and other areas in contact with external environmental substances.
The cause of Contact Dermatitis is related to the exposure of the skin to the external environmental substances, chemicals or plants.
There may be a latent interval of days or years between first exposure and development of sensitization.
Virtually any substance can cause sensitivity of the epidermis of the skin.
Dermatitis is the inflammation of the skin that causes red, itchy skin which may also blister.
1. Dermatitis caused by a problem from within the body.
Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a frequent disorder which tends to run in families.
Different parts of the skin are likely to flare up with inflammation intermittently.
2. Dermatitis caused by a substance from outside the body.
This normally causes patches of inflammation on areas of skin which have come into contact with the substance.
This is called contact dermatitis.
People who gets contact dermatitis
1. Nurses (and other health care workers)
2. Beauticians
3. Bartenders
4. Chefs (and others who work with food)
5. Florists (and others who work with plants)
6. Construction workers
The patient also has a greater risk of forming contact dermatitis if the patient have one of these medical disorders:
1. Asthma
2. Hay fever
3. Atopic dermatitis
The environment also has a part to play.
Extreme heat or cold, high humidity, and very dry air make the skin more vulnerable.
Causes:
Some possible triggers are:
1. Metals particularly nickel from bracelet, pendants, neck chains
2. Dyes from cosmetics, lipstick, clothes, hair dyes
3. Chemicals from perfumes, soaps, shaving cream, antiseptic creams
4. Drugs such as penicillin, sulphonamides, tetracycline, neomycin, aspirin, NSAIDs
5. Plants such as poison ivy, flowers, pollens
6. Animals – the fur from animals
There are two main types of contact dermatitis
1.Irritant contact dermatitis:
This type is more frequent.
It forms when something irritates the skin
2.Allergic contact dermatitis
The patient only requires a small amount of allergen in contact with the skin to cause the rash.
Symptoms:
1. Vesicular or bubbles in areas most in contact
2. Erythrematous or red rashes in areas most in direct contact
3. Hives or urticaria
Diagnosis:
To diagnose this frequent skin disorder, dermatologists:
1. Examine the skin, paying close attention to the rash.
2. Ask about current and past health issues.
3. Ask questions to help them determine what is causing the rash
If the dermatologist believes that the patient have an allergy, patch testing may be advised
Patches with small quantities of substances to which the patient may be allergic will be applied to the skin, normally on the back with review in 2 days for any reactions
Treatment
Initial treatment for contact dermatitis
The main treatment is to remove any offending substance from skin contact.
Because the skin may also be sore, itchy and scaly, these may help clear the symptoms
Moisturizers
Topical steroids-Use mildest first
Antibiotic if infected
Oral steroid if needed
Medicines such as azathioprine, or cyclosporine.
Ultraviolet light exposure with psoralen (PUVA)
Long term treatment:
Avoid the cause
Hand care
Intermittent use of topical steroid
Antihistamine
Change job
Other treatments:
Oatmeal baths
Wet dressings
Systemic contact dermatitis:
Some people develop a rash even when they avoid touching the allergen
Allergens enter through food, inhalation, even tooth filling

TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Contact Dermatitis
Chapter 2 Causes
Chapter 3 Symptoms
Chapter 4 Diagnosis
Chapter 5 Treatment
Chapter 6 Prognosis
Chapter 7 Eczema
Chapter 8 Pompholyx
Epilogue