Allergic contact dermatitis, the symptoms and treatment of which are heterogeneous-allergic, is a common inflammatory process of the skin. The causative agents of contact rashes on the skin can be food, pet hair, drugs, plant pollen, and so on. Itchy skin, or pruritus, can occur in almost any area of the skin. However, the most often itchy rash on the body forms skin rashes in the inguinal region, on the head (especially in the ear or behind the ear), on the legs and arms. Allergic contact dermatitis (according to ICD-10) is assigned to group L25.
Types, causes and signs
Dermatitis, prurigo prurigo or strofulus is the general name for an inflammatory process that causes itchy skin rashes. The term is the collective name for heterogeneous allergic skin inflammation. There are several varieties of inflammatory skin lesions caused by exposure to damaging factors as a result of physical and / or biochemical damage to the skin.
Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by inflammation of the sebaceous glands, develops under the influence of a modification of the chemical composition in the subcutaneous fat. As a rule, itchy skin affects the main facial areas: nose bridge, nasolabial folds, eyelashes, eyebrows and chin. Often, seborrheic inflammation of the skin is noted behind the ears or in the area of the auricle. The causative agent of seborrheic dermatitis is a yeast-like fungus of the species Malassezia restricta and / or Malassezia globosa. In case of its occurrence, one should seek help from specialists for help and undergo comprehensive treatment. Allergic contact dermatitis (photo of the spread of spots on the skin below) is a sensitive reaction of the skin after interacting with an allergen that is captured by epidermal cells and forms dermatitis. The causes of inflammation, as a rule, are the genetic predisposition of the body to a specific allergen, that is, inherited. Therefore, allergic contact dermatitis in children (infants), having an allergic nature of occurrence, is very often observed.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic form of allergic dermatitis, which is based on a hereditary predisposition to various pathogen allergens. The recurrent course of atopic eczema has various clinical manifestations depending on the age characteristics of the person. The disease has clear seasonal characteristics when an exacerbation or incomplete remission is manifested in the winter, and a partial or complete disappearance of symptoms is observed in the summer.
Inflammatory factors of the skin
In allergic contact dermatitis, the symptoms and treatment are determined depending on the stage of the disease. So, the following forms of inflammation of the skin are distinguished:
- sharp pin;
- subacute contact;
- generalized contact.
Symptomatic signs of acute dermatitis
The acute stage of skin rash is characterized by a sudden course of the disease after contact with allergens. As a rule, symptomatic signs and pain stop after drug intervention, provided that the allergen is correctly identified. Symptomatic signs of acute dermatitis:
- severe redness of the skin surface, provided by the expansion of blood vessels;
- skin rash forms a pronounced itching;
- papular nodules filled with serous content occur;
- dryness and / or peeling of the epidermis layer is noted.
Such dermatitis is not contagious, and, as a rule, after appropriate medical care, rashes pass without a trace.
Chronic stage
The chronic stage of skin inflammation has more severe symptoms due to the prolonged exposure to an allergic irritant.
The appearance of pinkish or crimson hyperemic spots on certain areas of the skin is caused by prolonged combing of the damaged areas. The inflammatory process is complicated by the possible introduction of infection into the outer layer of the skin. The likely effect of the lesion is presented above in the photo. Symptoms and treatment of allergic contact dermatitis in this case are complicated and require a longer therapeutic effect. The timing of treatment is determined during the treatment itself. Drug therapy involves the use of various gels and / or ointments for the treatment and oral administration of pharmacological drugs. An ointment for allergic contact dermatitis is prescribed strictly by a doctor. During procedural treatment, a specialist can prescribe several types of ointments. During the treatment process, it is also necessary to take breaks from the constant use of ointments, especially in the case of children.
Heavy forms
Subacute allergic contact dermatitis (photo below) requires special attention from medical professionals, as the rash on the skin acquires a bluish tint, accompanied by possible allergic complications, hay fever or asthma.
The most severe form is generalized dermatitis. The causes of clinical pathology lie in the neglect of an allergic condition. Patients have swelling of the skin, severe peeling and dryness of the dermis, sometimes accompanied by a hardened thickening of the affected area. From the skin, microtraumas and venous hyperemia are noted.
How to treat allergic contact dermatitis
Before starting therapeutic action, it is necessary to clearly determine the type of pathogen of an allergic reaction - an allergen. A thorough diagnosis of dermatitis will help with this. Based on the results of a visual examination of the patient and the data of laboratory biochemical studies, the treating dermatologist determines the severity of the condition and methods of therapeutic treatment. The most effective allergic contact dermatitis is treated with complex therapy, which includes:
- drug treatment with pharmacological groups;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- the strictest hypoallergenic diet.
Medication: antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids
Antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids are used to treat skin diseases from the contact group. Such pharmacological groups have an operative and effective effect on the clinical conditions of the skin. Among the pharmacological treatments, the following antihistamines can be distinguished:
- "Suprastin" is an effective treatment for atopic dermatitis of seasonal and / or chronic forms of allergic skin inflammation.
- "Claridol" is a pharmacological drug against various conditions of allergic origin.
- "LauraHexal" is an effective drug for various pseudo-allergic reactions, contact dermatoses, Quincke's edema and other conditions.
- Kestin is a pharmacological combination that blocks histamine receptors.
The dosage and course of treatment is determined by a consulting dermatologist or local physician.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
An effective way to cure allergic contact dermatitis is a physiotherapeutic effect through low-frequency laser radiation on damaged skin. Laser exposure for dermatological diseases is limited to 3 to 5 minutes of radiation. With a daily one-time physiotherapeutic procedure, the course of treatment is designed for 10-15 sessions, with repeated laser exposure to the body after 1-3 months.
Diet
If a food allergen is detected, there is an urgent need to adhere to a strict hypoallergenic diet, which eliminates the food product that causes an allergic reaction.
The risk of an allergic clinic can be caused by food products, which are divided into three groups depending on the severity of their exposure.
The most powerful irritants contain:
- milk;
- meat with a high concentration of fat;
- seafood, including fish;
- citrus;
- nuts
- honey;
- all kinds of chocolate products;
- Tomatoes
- wheat;
- strawberries, etc.
The average risk group for the content of allergens includes:
- potatoes;
- pork;
- turkey meat;
- apricot, peach, currant;
- rice, corn;
- all kinds of red pepper.
The least allergic pathogen is found in products such as:
- mutton;
- apples, plums;
- zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkin and squash.
This is just a short list of possible foods that cause an allergic reaction in the human body.
Before making a diet, you need to consult your doctor or nutritionist.
Folk remedies
In addition to traditional means and methods of treating skin itching with dermatitis, there are alternative ways to get rid of this ailment. Subject to the therapeutic measures prescribed by the consulting specialist, traditional medicine will be effective in the case when the allergic reaction has not acquired a chronic and / or generalized course of the disease. Consider effective methods of treatment with folk remedies for allergic contact dermatitis:
- Recipe number 1. Compress from potatoes. The peeled medium-sized potato fruit is rubbed on a fine grater. The resulting healing mass is applied to inflamed skin for 1.5-2 hours.
- Recipe number 2. Hypericum ointment. Freshly picked grass (250 g) is mixed with 500 ml of vegetable oil and infused for 7-10 days in a dry and dark place. After filtering, the drug for home treatment is ready. Hypericum ointment has a disinfecting and anti-inflammatory property, soothes the nervous system, eliminates itching and burning in the affected areas of the skin.
- Recipe number 3. Nettle broth. The crushed grass of the plant (2 tbsp. L.) Is poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for 1.5-2 hours. After cooling to a temperature of comfort, a medicinal decoction is used in the form of medicinal, soothing lotions lotions.
- Recipe number 4. Tea from dandelions. For 100 g of dandelion leaves, 500 ml of boiling water is needed. Homemade skin itch medicine is brewed like regular tea, and after 5-7 minutes of infusion it is ready for use. The healing mass is intended both for a compress for allergic wounds, and in the form of a drink that will have a calming effect on irritated receptors of the nervous system.
- Recipe number 5. Thyme ointment. Thyme acts on the affected skin as an antiseptic. A teaspoon of dry herb powder is mixed with a tablespoon of quality butter.
Healing ointment lubricates allergic wounds in various parts of the skin.
Children
Allergic contact dermatitis in children most often occurs due to improper clothing. Folds of clothes that disrupt the comfort of the child can cause a reaction. Tight and uncomfortable shoes can contribute to this. In practice, there are very often cases when dermatitis was the result of improper shoes. Many parents buy shoes a size larger, accompanying their action with the phrase "for growth." Or the child has to wear shoes for someone, but he quickly grows out of it, which leads to discomfort. First of all, doctors just find out these issues in order to determine the further treatment program. There is also allergic contact dermatitis in overweight children, which is due to frequent physical contact (friction) with clothing (mainly synthetic materials or those that cause an allergenic reaction). Dermatitis itself is accompanied by pain and itching.
Due to the unstable immune system, infants and children under three years of age often develop dermatitis in cold weather (mainly below zero). At this point, the child has a violation of the innervation of the skin (providing organs and tissues with nerve cells), and the level of refractory fatty acids in the body also rises. The combination of all these factors leads to the appearance of contact dermatosis. The affected area is on the cheeks, nose, ears and fingertips. Allergic contact dermatitis in adults is based on completely different symptoms. This is due to the more stable immune system of an adult, unlike a child.
Precautions for children under one year of age
Here are some things to look out for:
- One year old baby should avoid contact with chlorine. Chlorinated water always flows in our pipelines, so bathing a child can end with his illness. Such water should be boiled or left for 6-8 hours in open containers so that all chlorine evaporates. For bathing young children, it is recommended to install a filter cleaner on the water tap.
- When washing children's clothes, use only baby soap or specialized baby powders. It is also worth rinsing the clothes more thoroughly after washing.
- It is recommended to use only white clothing made from quality cotton. Purchased clothing from the store must be washed manually with soap before throwing it into the washing machine.
- Children's hygiene products (soap, shampoos and gels) should be used no more than once or twice a week. The fact is that all hygiene products (despite the mark "baby / child") contain surfactants that neutralize and sometimes destroy the protective fat layer of the skin of the child.
- Children's toys and other objects with which the child is in contact cannot be washed with chlorine. In general, household chemicals should be kept away from your baby's field of action.
- When using diapers, it is worthwhile to ensure that the child is not in them for more than four hours. If the child defecated in the diaper, then immediately need to change it. Contact with natural secretions can lead to dermatitis.
Other treatments
In addition to various ointments, lotions and compresses, it is equally effective to use wellness baths that relieve skin inflammation, soothe itching and burning. For a therapeutic effect, pine buds and / or conifer needles are added to the water. No less effective is the treatment of dermatitis with a weak solution of sea salt, which has a calming effect on an inflamed organism. All of these methods are also used in the prevention of allergic contact dermatitis.