Dermatitis
- inflammatory response of the epidermis
- can be acute or chronic
- causes due to infections, allergies, irritating substances
Contact dermatitis
- condition in which the skin becomes red, sore, or inflames after direct contact with a substance
- two types: allergic and irritant
- inflammation intensity related to: concentration of irritant, exposure time, repeated use
Contact dermatitis: Irritant
- irritation of the skin due to exposure to substance directly causing damage to the epidermis (soap, acid soln, diaper)
- natural skin moisturizers removed and skin irritated (burn)
- can occur with first time exposure
Signs and symptoms of irritant dermatitis
-erythema, pruritus, mild swelling, stiff/tight skin, dry cracked skin
Treatment for irritant dermatitis
- avoid the cause
- clean area, apply water repellent emollients
- anti-histamines
- short term steroids
- cool, wet compress
Allergic dermatitis
- delayed hypersensitivity reaction after exposure to antigen
- initial exposure causes sensitization
- lesions appear 2-7 days after contact
- common allergens: topical abx, fabrics and clothing, fragrances, nickel or other metals, jewelry, poison ivy
Allergic dermatitis signs and symptoms
-erythema, papules/vesicles/bulla, pruritus, takes shape of causative agent
Treatment of allergic dermatitis
- remove allergen
- anti-histamines
- cool compresses
- steroids (topical or systemic)
Allergic contact dermatitis: Rhus
- contact with a poisonous plant (ivy, oak, sumac)
- washing ASAP minimizes severity and spread
- symptoms occur 24-48 hrs after contact
- S/S: severe itching, red inflammation, blistering, oozing
- disappear in 10 days
- Tx: ASAP, wash skin, anti-histamines, steroids
Atopic dermatitis (Eczema)
- chronic and inherited
- remissions and exacerbations are common
- immunological abnormality - elevated IgE
- exaggerated response to environmental allergens
- worse in childhood
- associated with allergic rhinitis and asthma
2 things that are commonly associated with Eczema
- allergic rhinitis
- asthma
Signs and symptoms of Eczema
Acute, Subacute, chronic
-common in AC and popliteal spaces of adults
-all stages are itchy
Acute: bright red, oozing vesicles, extreme pruritus
Subacute: scaly plaques
Chronic: thickened skin, lichenification, hypo/hyper pigmentation, dry skin (xerosis)
Eczema diagnosis and treatment
- Dx: Health history and exam, family history, patch test
- causes of exacerbations: bacterial infections, temperature extremes, irritating substances, emotional stress
- Tx: NO cure. only control
- -topical steroids, itch relief, phototherapy (severe cases), tx secondary infections
Exfoliative dermatitis
- scaling, erythematous dermatitis
- often progresses to desquamation of skin and mucous membranes
- complications due to skin loss: dehydration and PRO loss. hypothermia and infection
Signs and symptoms of exfoliative dermatitis
- erythema, scaling, plaques, papules, pruritus, excoriation, secondary infections possible
- caused by pre-existing skin conditions
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS)
- rare, acute drug reaction of the skin (from meds)
- diffuse erythema
- large blister formation
- affects all ages and genders
- highesy
