DERMATITIS AND ECZEMA

Dermatitis and eczema are a group of inflammatory diseases of the skin caused by various external and internal irritating factors and characterized by epidermal changes. Dermatitis and eczema are inflammatory disorders with similar clinical symptoms but different course and prognosis. The term dermatitis is sometimes mistakenly attributed to mean an eczema induced by an occupational factor; this is erroneous.

Dermatitis in most cases is caused by skin contact with external, both physical and chemical irritants: climatic factors, high and low temperatures, mechanical irritation, chemicals, contact allergens, food allergens, medicines, plants, animals and others. It may be contact or contact-allergic. Contact dermatitis is a generic term applied to acute or chronic inflammatory reaction to substances that come in contact with the skin. Allergic contact dermatitis develops as a result of contact with an allergens, which range from  salts of certain metals to dyes, antibiotics, plant products and etc.

Symptoms of dermatitis differ depending on the type of pathology. However, several common signs can be distinguished:

• redness
• swelling
• dryness and flaking of the skin
• itching
• pain at the site of inflammation
• rash
• cracks or wounds
• localized skin sensitivity
• blisters and blisters

There is no generally accepted classification of dermatitis. Conditionally, it is divided into many types, differing in the cause of occurrence and manifestations:

• allergic contact dermatitis – a skin reaction that occurs at the site of contact with an allergen. Most often allergic dermatitis is caused by some plants, metal objects, medicines and cosmetics, as well as latex
• irritant (irritative) contact dermatitis – a non-allergic skin reaction that is caused by contact with aggressive irritants, such as detergents, chemicals, certain plants, or caused by friction
• atopic dermatitis – a chronic allergic skin condition that usually occurs in early childhood in people with an inherited predisposition to atopy
• seborrhoeic dermatitis – a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the areas of the scalp and trunk where the sebaceous glands are located
• diaper dermatitis, better known as diaper rash, is a common inflammatory skin condition in infants, characterised by the appearance of a red rash on the buttocks and folds after contact with urine, faeces, residues of aggressive detergents, rubbing against rough diapers
• congestive dermatitis – inflammation mainly of the skin of the lower legs, which occurs against the background of their chronic oedema
• perioral dermatitis which occurs mainly in young women with discrete redness and small papules and vesicles located on the perioral or periorbital skin

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is allergic in nature. The causes of the occurrence and development of pathology have not yet been studied, but it is believed that the provoking factors are allergic diseases and genetic prerequisites. It is an inflammatory processes characterized by:

• a large number of provoking factors of development
• many variations of the rash
• tendency to recur
• high resistance to treatment

The pathogenesis of eczema is based on non-infectious, autoimmune inflammation. The inflammatory process affects the outer and middle layers of the skin and causes a characteristic clinical picture. According to various estimates, eczema affects up to 10-15% of the total population on the planet. At the same time, mostly women suffer from the disease.

Eczema is characterized by pruritus, scratching, and eczematous lesions (dry, scaling and crusted areas of skin), and when chronic may be associated with lichenification (thickening) and pigmentary changes. It follows a relapsing course with flares at varying frequency and periods of remission.

There are different clinical verities of eczema depending on the immediate cause:

• true eczema: the disease has an allergic origin
• microbial type (nummular form, aka coin-shaped eczema)
• varicose eczema
• occupational form of the disease
• the pediatric form of the disease, which is characterised by greater aggressiveness and more – frequent exacerbations
• dyshidrotic eczema
• seborrhoeic, fungal type of the disease.

Diagnosis and treatment

The disease is diagnosed by a dermatologist by examining the patient, treatment may be different in accordance to the form and trend of disease.

Prevention and recommendations:

• strengthening the immune system
• eliminating contact with allergens
• a rational and balanced diet; Eliminate them from the diet products that can cause or provoke metabolic disorders
• ensuring occupational safety – contact with chemicals and adherence to general hygiene practices
• use of neutral cosmetic and hygiene products.

Among all skin care products, a special place is occupied by emollients – cosmetic products with a light texture that soften, nourish and protect irritated skin, relieve itching, soothe and help accelerate the regeneration of the epidermis.