 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Visit our dermatitis product center.
Dermatitis is a term literally meaning "inflammation of the skin". It is usually used to refer to eczema, which is also known as Dermatitis eczema. There are several different types. Usually all of them have in common an allergic reaction to specific allergens.
Cercarial dermatitis
Swimmer's itch, or cercarial dermatitis, is a short-term, immune reaction occurring in the skin of humans that have been infected by water-borne trematode parasites. Symptoms, which include itchy, raised papules, commonly occur within hours of infection and do not generally last more than a week.
The trematodes that cause swimmer's itch are schistosomes that parasitize snails and birds, particularly waterfowl (one exception is Schistosomatium douthitti, which infects snails and rodents). These groups are not to be confused with schistosomes of the genus Schistosoma, which infect humans and cause the serious human disease schistosomiasis, or with larval stages of Linuche unguiculata, thimble jellyfish, which give rise to seabather's eruption. Two examples of schistosome genera that infect birds but can accidentally infect humans, giving rise to swimmer's itch, are Trichobilharzia and Gigantobilharzia. Avian schistosomes such as these cannot complete their life cycles in humans. The itchy papules are caused by localized inflammatory immune reactions, each bump corresponding to the penetration site of a single parasite, which dies within hours.
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) or Duhring's Disease, is a skin disorder often associated with celiac disease. It is a chronic, extremely itchy rash consisting of papules and vesicles. Dermatitis herpetiformis is associated with sensitivity of the intestine to gluten in the diet (celiac sprue).
Dermatitis herpetiformis usually begins in the twenties, though children may sometimes be affected. It is seen in both men and women. Though the cause of the rash is unknown, dermatitis herpetiformis is frequently associated with gluten (a protein found in cereals) sensitivity in the small bowel.
Atopic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, sometimes called eczema is a kind of dermatitis, atopic, psychosomatic skin disease.
Skin of an affected person reacts to irritants, food and air allergens and becomes red, flaky and very itchy. It also becomes vulnerable to inflamations caused by bacteria. Joints (for example inner sides of elbows and knees) are most commonly affected regions.
Atopic dermatitis very often occurs together with other atopic diseases like hay fever, asthma and conjunctivitis. It is a chronic disease and its symptoms can grow or disappear over time. There is no cure for it, but its symptoms can be diminished with various treatments.
It is believed that psyche and emotions have significant influence on patients' condition. However, many other incurable diseases (eg tuberculosis until 1946 and cancer) also had or have a psychological interpretation, which disappears when a cure is found (Susan Sontag, Illness as Metaphor).
Atopic dermatitis is often mistaken with psoriasis.
The severity can can be reduced by minimising drying of the skin and avoiding or minimising contact with known allergens. The issue of allergies often complicates a case of atopic dermatitis.
Topical treatment (those applied onto the skin) centre around reducing the dryness of the skin. Moisturisers (also known as Emollients) are available from a pharmacist or on prescription.
Most soaps wash away the oils produced by the skin that normally serve to prevent drying. Using a soap substitute such as aqueous cream helps keep the skin moisturised.
If moisturisers on their own don't help, topical steroid ointments or creams may be used. These are safe to use provided they are prescribed by a doctor.
Although many people are intimidated by the term 'steroids', their proper use can result in atopic dermatitis being brought under control, making the diesase far more bearable for the sufferers.
Alternative medicines may (illegally) contain very strong steroids.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a skin disorder affecting the scalp, face and trunk causing scaly, flaky, itchy, red skin. It particularly affects the sebum-gland rich areas of skin. It is thought to be caused by a fungal infection caused by the yeast Malassezia furfur (formerly known as Pityrosporum ovale) in individuals with decreased immunity and increased sebum production. In a normally-functioning individual, the fungus thrives without incident, but in those afflicted with seborrhoeic dermatitis, the body's epidermis responds unfavorably to the infection, becoming inflamed and shedding large scales of skin in a failed attempt to rid itself of the fungus.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis refers to the skin changes that occur as a result to exposure to allergenic or irritant substances. Phototoxic dermatitis results when either an allergen or an irritant is activated by sunlight. Most common allergic contact dermatitis is poison ivy dermatitis, inclusive of poison oak and sumac. Common causes of irritant contact dermatitis are harsh soaps, detergents, and cleaning products.
Nummular dermatitis
Nummular dermatitis is one of the many forms of dermatitis. Also known as discoid dermatitis, it is characterized by round or oval-shaped itchy lesions. (The name comes from the Latin word "nummus," which means "coin.") The disorder is recurrent and chronic, and may appear at any age, although it is most common in people in their 60's. Nummular dermatitis does not appear to be a genetic condition, is not related to food allergies, and is not contagious.
The coin-shaped patches can affect any part of the body, but the legs and buttocks are the most common areas. Flare-ups are associated with dry skin, so the winter season is a particularly bad time for those with this condition.
One of the keys to treatment and prevention involves keeping the skin moisturized. Lotions, creams, and bath oils may help prevent an outbreak. If the condition flares up, a common treatment involves the application of topical corticosteroids. Oral antihistamines may help lessen itching. More severe cases sometimes respond to ultraviolet light treatment.
Dyshidrosis
Also known as
- Dyshidrotic Eczema
- Dyshidrotic Dermatitis
- Pompholyx
Dyshidrosis is a skin condition that is characterized by small blisters on the hands or feet. The name comes from the word "dyshidrotic," meaning "bad sweating," which was once believed to be the cause. Sometimes called pompholyx (Greek for "bubble") which is generally reserved for the cases of deep-seated pruritic vesicles.
While this condition is not contagious to others, recurrence is common and for many can be chronic.
The following information is referenced from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatitis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
