Contact Dermatitis On The Face / Hands In Adults And Children, Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis in adults and children

Description of the disease

Content:

• Description of the disease
• Contact dermatitis symptoms
• Contact dermatitis causes
• Contact dermatitis on the hands
• Contact dermatitis on the face
• Contact dermatitis in children
• Contact dermatitis treatment

Contact dermatitis is a disease based on inflammatory lesions of the epidermis. Characterized by a rash. Usually occurs as a result of exposure of the skin to irritating substances.

We can talk about the existence of two forms of the disease. Simple contact dermatitis occurs due to the fact of skin contact with toxic substances of a chemical or irritant type. Allergic contact dermatitis is manifested by a special rash, it can appear only in those whose body is sensitized to a particular allergen, after appropriate contact. These are not always toxic substances. Where such contact has occurred, an immune response can be induced. This is possible if a similar allergen has already caused such a reaction. This process is called sensitization. It prepares the immune system for similar reactions.

Acute contact dermatitis is accompanied by other symptoms - there are:

• swelling of the epidermis,
• redness in the lesion,
• erosion,
• rash in the form of bubbles, etc.

The last stage is peeling. In severe cases, pigmentation occurs.

In acute inflammation, the patient complains of symptoms such as:

• pain and burning,
• feeling of skin tension,
• general increase in body temperature,
• there are cases of general malaise.

Chronic contact dermatitis can occur due to constant or prolonged friction and pressure, if they were not very strong. Its symptomatology in a short description looks like this:

• the skin is thickened
• infiltration is often found,
• lichenization due to thickening of the epidermis and against the background of developing hyperkeratosis.

The causes of chronic dermatitis are different. Material contact is not the only danger. A similar reaction is caused by ionizing exposure radiation (it appears due to sunlight, X-rays, beta, alpha and y-rays, neutron radiation). Due to this effect, acute or chronic forms of radiation dermatitis appear. Depending on the portion that has its penetrating ability of radiation and sensitivity, such contact dermatitis manifests itself quite characteristically - in the form of erythema with bluish or purple tones. It differs in other symptoms, including:

• hair loss,
• bullous reaction,
• intense edema and hyperemia,
• persistent alopecia,
• skin atrophy,
• telangiectasia.

The possible manifestation depends on the stage of the disease, the method of infection and, with proper treatment, is noticeably reduced. It is also necessary to prevent this disease.

Contact dermatitis symptoms

The symptoms of contact dermatitis are severe or relatively latent. Much depends on the characteristics of each organism. Traditionally, the disease can be recognized by the following manifestations:

• Itchy skin.
• Burning.
• Pain on touch.
• High body temperature.
• Rash in the area of contact with the allergen.
• The affected area is covered with a dry crust.
• When the wounds heal, peeling, dryness of the epidermis are formed.

Symptoms indicate the need for immediate treatment:

• Redness.
• Puffiness.
• Blisters.

These are symptoms of acute contact dermatitis. Such manifestations on the face are especially dangerous. When the therapy is delayed, traces remain that are difficult to remove or mask, starting with age spots.

Contact dermatitis causes

The causes of contact dermatitis are obvious from the name of the disease. Heredity remains the most common. But the provocateur of the disease is often:

• Synthetic products. This includes material for creating fabrics and clothes, detergents, in some brands of cosmetics.
• A number of metals such as nickel, silver.
• Medications. Antibiotics and some hormonal agents are most active.
• Some natural materials (latex, rubber, wool).

The last few weeks of life are analyzed to determine the cause. It is necessary to establish which allergen the skin may have come into contact with. There are times when it is identified on its own. If this fails, allergy tests are carried out.

There are times when it is quite difficult to identify the cause. For example, this often happens if he appeared on his hands. It is more difficult to identify the irritant if you have a lot of objects in your hands in a day. It is important not to confuse the symptoms of dermatitis with other skin conditions. Often the manifestations are very similar to eczema.

The epidermis is also an organ. He is responsible for the appearance of peculiar reactions of a delayed and immediate type. It is also widely believed that the skin is naturally an immune organ. It has a whole system of lymphoid centers involved in determining the hypersensitivity reaction. Their participation affects the formation of inflammatory foci with an immune nature.

The type of disease determines the causes of its occurrence. For the occurrence of contact dermatitis, it is enough to touch poisons and poisonous substances. Often the disease appears due to mechanical irritation, for example, shoes that do not fit in size. Contact dermatitis often occurs due to skin burns and frostbite, and direct exposure to sunlight.

It is customary to begin treatment of the disease in order to exclude contact with the allergen. Most likely, this will need to be done forever. When the appearance of contact dermatitis is based on the professional activity of the patient, it is necessary to constantly use protective equipment, starting with gloves and ending with protective suits.

Contact dermatitis on the hands

Contact dermatitis on the hands is very common among skin diseases of the hands. It is most common.

This type of dermatitis is considered the simplest. It is a consequence of contact with some kind of irritating substances. These include:

• alkali,
• acids,
• exposure to ultraviolet radiation,
• frostbite,
• burn,
• squeezing,
• friction

As can be seen from the list, it is not necessary that the substances be presented in a "pure" form. They can be part of a product. An allergen is required for a known disease and its symptoms to appear. In this capacity are medicines, chemicals that are used in everyday life, some cosmetic and perfumery products. You can find out about the disease by the emerging foci of edema, burning sensation, blisters and other symptoms. When the blisters burst, layers of crusts are created, weeping ulcers. Visible pigmentation spots remain. The pain in the arms does not go away.

Do not start treatment for dermatitis. From the very first manifestations of it, everything must be done so that it does not pass into a further stage - eczema.

Hand contact dermatitis is treated in several steps. First, allergen tests are used to determine the allergen causing the inflammation. It is better to find a way to avoid such things, this is recommended for every patient first. Only then can drug treatment follow.

In some cases, antihistamines are prescribed, such as:

• claritin,
• diazolin,
• suprastin,
• fenistil.

The best treatment for contact dermatitis on the hands is with medications that help remove toxins from the body. It helps to cleanse blood cells, the allergen is quickly excreted from the body. For optimal results, you must look for a combination of both.

Contact dermatitis on the face

Contact dermatitis on the face is distinguished by a peculiar clinical picture. It is easy to distinguish due to the areas of damage, as well as to the agent who called it. The disease has broad symptoms. But the following characteristic manifestations are most noticeable:

• redness,
• rash of bubbles, erosions, nodules,
• swelling,
• oozing affected areas.

If a severe form of dermatitis occurs, severe headaches, chills, weakness, and attacks of fever appear. When the recovery period begins, the affected fragments dry out, peel off strongly. If the disease is not eliminated in time, age spots will appear.

What causes dermatitis on the face? There are many reasons. It can be difficult to name just one of them. Usually they talk about substances, upon contact with which the disease manifests itself. Their list is complicated by the fact that they are often associated with professional activities. By eliminating such an object from circulation or by protecting yourself at the moment of contact, you can reduce the risk of infection. Also, treatment is based on the use of special external agents or drugs for oral administration.

Contact dermatitis in children

Contact dermatitis in children is a common condition. It is an inflammation of the skin that occurs upon contact with a certain irritant. Adults experience severe discomfort due to contact with substances that are considered corrosive. This includes acids, wool, etc. Often contact dermatitis appears after touching plants - such as nettle, caustic buttercup, euphorbia, etc.

The inflammation develops more strongly on delicate and thin skin. The child's body does not have sufficient immune capabilities, for their organs such an effect ends especially noticeably. In children, the symptoms are quite painful, given that the resulting allergen is excreted from the body in all possible ways - entering the composition of sweat, feces, urine. Contact dermatitis appears in children for various reasons:

• Due to personal care products and cosmetics (including the use of washing powder, cream, shampoo).
• After friction (recall that clothes for children are chosen with special seams, flat or outer).
• From touching certain types of metal.

But inadequate care usually causes the development of another type of dermatitis - diaper dermatitis. Contact dermatitis in children goes away on its own. In the case of attachment of a secondary bacterial infection, for example, such as staphylococcus aureus, the consequences of the disease will be much more complicated.

The symptoms of contact dermatitis in children are similar to the course of the disease in adults:

• redness,
• swelling of the epidermis,
• itching
• burning sensation, fever and fever.

Contact dermatitis in infants is considered normal. It occurs in most patients in this group.

It manifests itself in almost all children. It is normal if, for example, diapers are chosen incorrectly, shoes are too small, and there is a lot of synthetics in the clothes. Often substances harmful to a particular child are found in baby mass or creams, etc.

The manifestations of the disease are especially noticeable in certain areas of the body:

• in the folds of the skin,
• in the crotch,
• on the hips,
• on the surface of the buttocks.

In most cases, the disease is easily relieved. An increase in the number of air and water procedures helps well. Of course, you need to replace all uncomfortable synthetic clothing with a suitable analogue. It is also recommended to set aside all baby oils and replace them with boiled vegetable oils. Gradually, the child is accustomed to more common remedies.

Contact dermatitis treatment

Contact dermatitis treatment is complex. Often the disease is associated with inflammation of a specific area of the skin. When the characteristic blisters or blisters with a serous fluid appear, a physician may recommend antihistamines. Then it will be possible to eliminate the itching and protect the treated areas, excluding the introduction of infection. Among the suitable drugs is Diazolin. It is affordable, cheap and easy to use. It is taken in a certain way, namely, a pill three times a day, in a schematic manner.

Antihistamines are also commonly prescribed with concomitant treatment. For example, Flucinar ointment is prescribed. It contains glucocorticosteroids, thanks to which the skin gets a certain effect:

• Damaged cells are reborn.
• Infiltration is eliminated.
• Edema of the skin is treated.

If mechanical chafing has taken place, zinc-containing ointments are prescribed (ordinary sulfuric ointment is suitable).

A dermatologist helps to clarify all questions about drugs. This will help you find the best medicine for your baby with contact dermatitis.

The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist

Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).