A - Z Encyclopedia
Understanding Dermatitis
the Basics | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention
Treatment
How Do I Know If I Have Dermatitis?
Most types of dermatitis can be diagnosed by a doctor's observation of the irritation and its location on the body. Sometimes a skin scraping will be taken for microscopic analysis. To identify causes of contact dermatitis, a doctor may try patch tests, applying suspected allergens to areas of skin on the back.
What Are the Treatments?
The first step in treating dermatitis is identifying and eliminating the cause. Most mild skin inflammations respond well to room temperature baths followed by application of fragrance-free moisturizing lotions or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.
Seborrheic dermatitis may respond to coal-tar-based shampoo; avoid sunlight for the first few hours after using it since it increases the risk of sunburn on the scalp. There are also shampoos that contain salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, sulfur, or selenium that may be effective.
Once chemicals causing contact dermatitis are identified, treatment will be based on avoidance, allergy relief, or other coping mechanisms.
To help clear the lesions of nummular dermatitis, apply a lotion and corticosteroid cream.
If you suffer from stasis dermatitis, wear support stockings and elevate your legs to reduce their swelling. Also, the underlying condition that is causing the leg swelling should be controlled. If an open ulcer gets infected, antibiotics may be needed.
To reduce inflammation and heal the irritation of most types of dermatitis, a doctor usually recommends over-the-counter or prescription corticosteroid cream and might prescribe an oral antihistamine to relieve severe itching and an antibiotic if a secondary infection develops. Severe cases of dermatitis may call for corticosteroid pills or injections.
the Basics | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention
