Dermatitis Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Natural Health News October 21, 2014

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What is dermatitis?

Dermatitis is characterized as skin inflammation. It occurs in numerous forms and tends to have certain causes. Usually, the disorder involves a reddened, swollen and itchy rash on skin. Such an affected skin would swell, ooze and peel off or develop in form of crust. Few example of the condition are:

Dandruff.
Eczema.
Rashes.

Dermatitis tends to be quite common; however it is not contagious or serious, but it may feel a person feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. Certain medications and self care measures can help the person manage or treat this disease.

What are the symptoms of dermatitis?

Every type of the disease tends to strike on different body parts and may look slightly different. Some of its common types include:

Eczema: mostly strikes infants, the type emerges as itchy, red rash that usually occurs on the parts where skin flexes. Scratching can cause the rash to leak.
Contact dermatitis: exposure to certain substances can lead rash on those particular body areas that have come in contact. Such rash may itch, sting or burn. Moreover, blisters can develop.
Cradle cap/Seborrheic dermatitis: it causes rash with oily, yellowish scales mostly on scalp, around the nose and ears, however; rarely on face. The disorder causes dandruff.

What causes dermatitis?

Certain irritants, genetic factors, allergies and health conditions are known to root different types of the disorder.

Eczema: it occurs in a family that has members with eczema, hay fever or asthma. It also occurs in individuals with allergies.
Contact dermatitis: it results from the exposure to an allergens or irritants.
Seborrheic dermatitis: it is common in individuals those have oily hair or skin. Depending upon the season, seborrheic dermatitis can come and go. Furthermore, hereditary factors are also considered in playing a role to contribute this type of disease.

What are the risk factors of dermatitis?

Certain factors put you at a risk to develop specific types of disorder. Such as:

Age: Even though, this disease occurs regardless of any age however; eczema mostly strikes infants.
Occupations: in case a job puts an individual in contact with particular metals, cleaning supplies or solvents, then he is more likely to face contact dermatitis.
Asthma and allergies: individual with a family or personal history of asthma or hay fever have higher risk to experience atopic dermatitis.

What are the complications of dermatitis?

Clearly, scratching your itchy rash can result open sore that can turn infected. Such infections may spread and sometimes, become serious.

How is dermatitis diagnosed?

After careful examination of the skin and symptoms detailed by the patient, a doctor can diagnose this disease, however in case of contact dermatitis; the doctor will suggest patch testing.

How is dermatitis treated?

Its treatment tends to vary depending upon its cause. Clearly speaking, avoiding irritants, putting wet compresses and using corticosteroids lotions/creams are the basis of its treatment plan. In addition to this, light therapy is also recommended in certain cases.