Dermatitis
Foot & Ankle Care of Colorado
Dermatitis is a prevalent skin condition characterized by inflammation and irritation, often leading to symptoms like itching, dryness, rashes, blistering, oozing, crusting, or flaking. There are several types, including atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis. While dermatitis isn’t contagious, it can cause significant discomfort. Regular moisturizing is essential for symptom management, and treatment may involve medicated ointments, creams, and shampoos.
Causes of Dermatitis
Dermatitis often stems from contact with irritants or allergens that trigger an allergic reaction. Examples include substances like poison ivy, perfume, lotions, and jewelry containing nickel. Additional causes include dry skin, viral infections, bacterial infections, stress, genetic predisposition, and immune system disorders. These factors can contribute to the development or exacerbation of dermatitis, highlighting the importance of identifying and avoiding triggers where possible.
Dermatitis Symptoms
Each type of dermatitis tends to occur on a different part of the body. Symptoms may include:
- Itchiness that can be painful.
- Dry, cracked, scaly skin, more typical on white skin.
- Rash on swollen skin that varies in color depending on skin color.
- Blisters, perhaps with oozing and crusting.
- Dandruff.
- Thickened skin.
- Small, raised bumps, more typical on brown or Black skin.
Dermatitis Diagnoses
To diagnose dermatitis, your doctor will likely look at your skin and talk with you about your symptoms and medical history. You may need to have a small piece of skin removed for study in a lab, which helps rule out other conditions. This procedure is called a skin biopsy.
Nonsurgical Treatments
The treatment for dermatitis varies, depending on the cause and your symptoms. If home care steps don’t ease your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medicine. Possible treatments include:
- Applying to the rash a prescription-strength corticosteroid cream, gel or ointment.
- Applying to the rash a cream or ointment with a calcineurin inhibitor. This is a medicine that affects the immune system. You’ll need a prescription from your doctor for it.
- Exposing the rash to controlled amounts of natural or artificial light. This method is called light therapy or phototherapy.
- Using prescription-strength pills or injected medicine, for more-severe disease. Examples are oral corticosteroids or an injectable biologic called dupilumab.
- Using wet dressings, a medical treatment for severe atopic dermatitis. It involves applying a corticosteroid ointment, wrapping it with wet bandages and topping that with a layer of dry gauze.
