Allergic dermatitis occurs under the influence of certain substances in people with an increased level of sensitivity. The disease manifests itself in an allergic reaction of a slow type.
When an allergen hits the exposed surface of the skin, antibodies are formed, and the immune system becomes too sensitive to this pathogen.
Allergens can be acid solutions of low concentration, alkalis, various solvents, cosmetic products for skin care, medicines and other substances.
They can be not only external, but also internal, when they enter the body through the digestive tract or through the respiratory system. Chemical irritants become the main irritants. In particular, they are washing powders, household chemicals, nickel, chrome, and their compounds.
Today we will discuss allergic dermatitis in adults, consider detailed photos of the disease, as well as its first symptoms and modern methods of treatment.
Forms
Depending on which allergen becomes the cause of dermatitis, it should be distinguished:
- Contact. It appears when the rash occurs as a result of direct interaction of allergens with the skin, for example, in cosmetics, synthetic clothing and ornaments.
- Toxico-allergic. Occurs when an allergen penetrates the body through the respiratory or digestive tract, leads to its spread throughout the body.
- Atopic. It is caused by a genetic predisposition to allergies, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, infections, weakening immunity, drugs.
If you do not resort to dermatitis treatment in a timely manner in adults, then it can progress and take a chronic form, that is, form eczema.
Causes
Why does allergic dermatitis occur, and what is it? This is the response of the body to the stimulus, and a delayed action. This means that for the formation of the disease requires a very long-term human contact with various chemical elements.
The most common allergens, capable of leading to the appearance of dermatitis:
- household chemicals, cosmetics, hygiene products, manufacturing, etc.);
- vegetable - pollen animal hair, etc .;
- metals;
- medications;
- food allergens (citrus fruits, seafood, honey, nuts, etc.);
- solar radiation and the effect of low temperatures.
The greatest number of cases of allergic dermatitis occur in representatives of certain specialties, as a result of which the disease even received a specific name - professional dermatitis.
TOhigh-risk grouprelate:
- medical workers;
- hairdressers and cosmetologists;
- builders;
- the cook;
- the machinists.
All these people regularly encounter substances that are the cause of allergic dermatitis - formaldehydes, nickel, tiurams, carbon compounds, epoxy resins, etc.
The main cause that affects the susceptibility of the body to allergic reactions is the hereditary predisposition to atopy, as well as violations functioning of its own immune system and its cells - T-lymphocytes, an atypical reaction of phagocyte cells located in the epidermis.
Contact allergic dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is one of the forms of allergic dermatitis, in which the allergen penetrates the body through the skin of a person.
Usually, in order to form an allergic reaction, you need at least a few weeks of direct contact with the stimulus. Skin manifestations in such cases have clearly defined boundaries, and can range from slight reddening to severe puffiness with a large number of small, itchy blisters.
Symptoms
The main signs of dermatitis are:
- severe redness of the skin,
- itching,
- burning,
- rash from small-to-small bubbles, which are subsequently opened, forming areas of wetness (erosion).
The first help in the appearance of phytodermatitis is skin cleansing - in this way, the tiny particles of the allergen are removed from it.
Symptoms of allergic dermatitis in adults
The symptomatology of such pathological processes is determined by the type and allergenic factor that caused them. So, for allergic dermatitis is characterized by a pattern of symptoms:
- An allergic reaction that develops after a delayed type (from the moment of contact with the allergen to the first manifestations, time passes).
- Clear specificity (dermatitis occurs when exposed to a specific substance).
- Excessive intensity of skin manifestations, not corresponding to the concentration of the stimulus and the time of its action.
- The prevalence of allergic manifestations outside the zone of contact with the allergen.
With the contact form of dermatitis, the pathology begins to manifest with redness of the skin after touching the allergen. Then the affected area becomes swollen and bubbly. The presence of vesicular rash is judged by the formation of fluid blisters. The place of the bursting of the bubbles exfoliates the skin.
First of all, the treatment of allergic contact dermatitis should be aimed at eliminating contact with a provoking allergen.
Allergic dermatitis in children
It is manifested by swelling, itching, the appearance of vesicles and red spots on the surface of the skin. Due to skin irritation, the child begins to scratch it, resulting in crusts, which cause the child a lot of discomfort, causing irritability and uncomfortable sensations.
Allergic manifestations can occur on the forehead, on the cheeks, on the arms, legs, head. In older age can be localized on the elbows.
Allergic dermatitis: photos
We recommend to view detailed photos to understand what an allergic reaction looks like.
Diagnostics
In order to know what and how to treat allergic dermatitis, you must first of all recognize which substance is an allergen. The individual patch-test (application samples) will help in this.
This is a special method of diagnosis using sets of allergens and putting them on the skin of the forearm or middle third of the back for 48 hours. Such tests are performed only by doctors.
Treatment of allergic dermatitis in adults
Having found out the symptoms of allergic dermatitis in adults, it is advisable to start treatment with the elimination of provoking factors. Therefore, all contacts with the identified allergen should be excluded. For example, if a rash on your hands caused a washing powder, it should be replaced with a greener or gloves.
However, if it is not possible to determine the exact cause of allergic reactions, a number of specific allergic tests should be carried out that will reveal the sensitizer.
To effectively treat allergic dermatitis use such means:
- First of all, this ointment, which has antifungal and antimicrobial action, allows you to quickly remove the itching and ease the patient's condition. It is worth paying attention to Zirtek, Telfast, Erius, etc. In addition to the above ointments, the most popular and effective are Advant, Lokoid, Elidel, which are prescribed for lesions of the skin.
- If local treatment is not effective, adults are prescribed antihistamines such as Cetrin, Zodak, Claritin, and their analogues. They will help reduce puffiness and itching. Although their role in the treatment of this type of allergic reactions is secondary.
- In very severe reactions, it is possible to administer corticosteroid preparations orally. The duration of treatment and dosage of drugs in this case can only be determined by a doctor.
In principle, the methods of treatment are almost identical for any allergy, the main thing is to correctly identify the source of irritation and start on time to eliminate it and treat the symptoms.
Nevertheless, only a professional should select a medicine. Self-medication can lead to irreparable consequences in the form of deterioration of the condition, formation of scars, pigment spots. Self-use of folk remedies is also not recommended.
If the dermatitis on the face
Allergic dermatitis, which is accompanied by the appearance of inflammation on the face and pronounced soreness of the tissues, implies a special regime. It is necessary to stop washing with tap water.
It is better to use special micellar solutions that will help cleanse the skin and preserve the natural water-fat layer. Therapy is accompanied by applying on the epidermis moisturizing and soothing drugs with a minimal irritant factor.
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