Practically every inhabitant of our planet was ill with allergy as such at least once in a lifetime. There are a huge number of types of this pathology. In this article, we will consider toxic-allergic dermatitis. It occurs in humans as a result of exposure to irritants, in this case allergens. It is worth noting that this pathology can be both in a child and in an adult. Recently, a negative trend has appeared: this ailment is progressing more and more, and a huge number of people suffer from it. According to statistics, every second inhabitant of the planet felt on himself what it is.
What is this ailment?
Toxic-allergic dermatitis (ICD-10 assigns it a code in the range of L20-L30) is an acute reaction of the body to the effects of irritants. It is worth paying attention that the pathology can be inherited. When an allergen enters the body, its interaction with cell structures begins. As a result of this process, the skin is damaged.
Inflammation occurs directly due to inhibition by drug enzymes. This can lead to a more severe form of toxic-allergic dermatitis. In this case, not only the skin is affected, but the reactivity of the body changes .
It should be noted that antibodies are formed in the human body, namely in the blood serum. The reaction and sensitivity to the allergen is determined by the amount of toxin. These events occur during pathology, or against the background of a genetic predisposition.
Classification
Specialists in the field of medicine currently distinguish several types of this pathology. Consider them:
- Bullous toxic-allergic dermatitis. In this case, the body gives a negative reaction to drugs. It is worth noting that not all medicines can cause allergies, but only those that include bromine or iodine.
- Spotted toxidermy. This type of pathology also occurs on the basis of an overdose of drugs. Only in this situation are medications containing arsenic or mercury undesirable.
- Pustular dermatitis. Like the two previous types, the main cause of the occurrence is medication. Drugs containing lithium and vitamin B cause a reaction.
- Papular toxidermy. This ailment appears as a result of taking medications from the tetracycline series. What does toxic allergic dermatitis look like? A photo of one of its manifestations is presented below.
The above species are the main ones, however, doctors single out one more: urticar toxidermia. Activators are penicillin-containing products. Also, inflammation of the skin can occur due to the use of alcohol. There are several forms of the course of the disease: mild, moderate and severe. To determine the type and severity of the pathology, you need to visit a dermatologist or allergist.
Causes of occurrence
As already noted, toxic-allergic dermatitis is a type of allergy. Pathology has a peculiarity: only after irritants enter the human blood do symptoms and distinctive manifestations appear on the skin.
The causes of the ailment are huge. Consider the main ones:
- taking various medications;
- contact with chemicals;
- ordinary foods and exotic fruits;
- dairy products, sushi, rolls, nuts, honey;
- spices, smoked foods, etc.
People whose body has a genetic predisposition to this pathology are advised to stay away from gold and arsenic. Fans of a precious metal should refuse any contact with it in order to maintain health. You should opt for silver jewelry.
Signs of pathology
It should be noted that regardless of the patient’s age and gender, the symptoms of toxic-allergic dermatitis will manifest equally. The rash appears in very unpleasant places: on the inner parts of the elbows, the bends of the knees, around the genitals and armpits.
In addition to the rash itself, the following symptoms are distinguished:
- dizziness and headache;
- increase in body temperature;
- nausea and vomiting;
- loss of appetite;
- weakness, poor health.
These symptoms are very similar to those of other illnesses such as lichen, scarlet fever, and psoriasis. In practice, there have been times when the doctor was mistaken with the diagnosis, since the manifestations are very similar to each other.
Diagnostics
This is probably the most difficult stage. An allergist or dermatologist must first carefully listen to the patient and ask him about all the symptoms. The patient, in turn, must be honest, so that the probability of a correct diagnosis is high. You can not start treatment on your own, a specialist should associate the appearance of an allergy with drugs.
After an external examination, the doctor sends the patient to a laboratory test, there they take a special sample. If the pathology is severe, the patient is sent to a hospital. There, under the supervision of specialists, he donates blood for immunological analysis. This will help to better study the composition of the blood, as well as detect allergens.
Diagnosing an ailment can take a long time, since there is a high probability of error. To avoid this, the doctor must take all the necessary tests and conduct studies. Based on the results, a diagnosis is made. How to treat toxic allergic dermatitis? Consider below.
Treatment
The course of therapy is individually prescribed by the attending physician, and the patient must follow it impeccably in order to achieve full recovery. The entire period of treatment, the patient should be under close supervision of a specialist. To begin with, the doctor prescribes those medications that are not able to cause a strong allergic reaction. In addition, diuretics and laxatives are often recommended. With their help, you can remove the remaining allergens from the body.
Treatment of toxic-allergic dermatitis is carried out using desensitizing therapy. Within its framework, the appointment of antihistamines, as well as medications that contain vitamin C.
In the case when the pathology has become severe, experts recommend the use of corticosteroids. In this case, the patient should take the entire course of treatment in a hospital. Sometimes the doctor prescribes external preparations, such as ointments and aqueous solutions. A photo of toxic-allergic dermatitis in adults, more precisely, manifestations on the skin of this ailment, is presented below.
Folk remedies
An excellent solution in the treatment of dermatitis is St. John's wort. This plant has proven itself in such situations. St. John's wort has anti-inflammatory properties, which will help eliminate or minimize signs of inflammation. To prepare a decoction, you need dry herb St. John's wort and boiling water. The optimal ratio is 2 tbsp. tablespoons / 200 ml of water. The broth is infused for about two hours, and is used as a compress on the damaged area of the skin.
In practice, a potato root crop also helps. Rinse the potatoes well and chop them with a blender. Put the resulting mixture on cheesecloth and squeeze. The thick mass remaining after these actions can be applied to the affected area of the body.
Also, ointment from propolis (10%) and cumin tincture (20%) are good at getting rid of toxic-allergic dermatitis. The ointment should be applied in a thin layer, best before bedtime. As for the tincture, you can buy it in a pharmacy ready-made. All you need to do is apply to the affected area.
It is worth noting that folk remedies for treating allergies are quite effective, but it is not recommended to use them without the approval of a doctor. Self-medication does not lead to anything good, so you should first consult with a specialist.
Diet for this pathology
In addition to treatment with medicines and drugs, it is imperative to follow a diet. Without it, therapy would not be complete. A specific list of foods that can not be consumed is made directly by the doctor in a particular situation. He makes a decision on the basis of an external examination, a survey, and the results of various studies. In any case, you need to be prepared for the fact that you have to give up products with a high level of allergic activity.
Most often, doctors forbid:
- milk, eggs, nuts, citrus fruits;
- mayonnaise, seasonings, sauces;
- fish, mushrooms, seafood;
- chocolate baking.
As for the cooking method, it also matters. It is advisable to boil food or steam, as fried and baked can cause an allergic reaction. You should pay attention to drinks. It is recommended to drink only green tea and still mineral water.
Toxic-allergic dermatitis in children
Children, along with adults, are susceptible to this pathology. A child's illness can occur if he swallows something inedible, such as a cream or medicine. From this, not only a rash appears, but also small cracks. They are usually localized on the knees, feet, heels and elbows.
Cracks cause discomfort and pain. It is especially bad when they occur on the feet or heels, then it is difficult for the child to walk. Children cannot tolerate, and the rash is always accompanied by itching. Thus, they comb these places, resulting in pustules. To avoid this, you should immediately consult a doctor if signs of allergy appear. If you try to cure the child yourself, it may not work. What are the manifestations of toxic-allergic dermatitis in children? The photo is presented in the article.
Prevention of ailment
Of course, modern medicine has taken a huge step forward, and now doctors are able to cure any disease. As you know, it is much easier to monitor your health than to undergo a course of therapy for a long time. Recovery can take a lot of time and cause a lot of inconvenience. If you exercise caution, you can prevent the appearance of pathology.
People with a weak immune system should be especially careful. You need to keep an eye on the jewelry you wear and the food you consume. It is not recommended to eat fish in raw form, and meat should be carefully prepared. Even when choosing clothes, you need to be careful, especially when it comes to children.
Conclusion
Toxic-allergic dermatitis (in ICD 10, as already mentioned, it is assigned a code in the range L20-L30) - a reaction to the ingress of irritants, namely allergens, into the human blood. This is a very unpleasant pathology, accompanied by the appearance of a rash in uncomfortable places. This ailment is found in both children and adults.
To prevent its occurrence, you need to monitor your health. Do not abuse junk food and mindlessly take medications. If you find the first symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. He will prescribe a course of treatment, after which you can get rid of the pathology.