Itchy dermatitis causes and treatment

Itching dermatitis refers to heterogeneous diseases (scabies, urticaria, atopic, seborrheic and allergic forms of dermatitis). Most often, it is allergic symptoms that are the cause of the development of itchy dermatitis.

Itching dermatitis is a group of diseases that are characterized by severe itching and the development of an inflammatory process in the superficial and deep layers of the skin. With this form of dermatitis, specific treatment is provided, aimed primarily at eliminating contact with allergens.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Factors influencing the occurrence of negative symptoms can be acquired and provoked.

Heredity is of great importance, as a result of which the risk of developing dermatitis in babies increases by 30-50%. In addition, the causes of the development of acute symptoms can be ultraviolet rays, prolonged exposure to the open sun and allergens that are most common in everyday life (ointments, food, animal waste products, medicines, etc.). Therefore, before prescribing treatment, it is important to determine the causes of dermatitis.

The itchy form of dermatitis may appear as a result of a weakened immune system and an unfavorable environmental situation, when the patient's body begins to react sharply and activate inflammatory processes in the body.

Sometimes an attack can be caused by a stressful situation, in which the body releases adrenaline into the blood as a defensive reaction, which only exacerbates the problem.

Stages of the disease

The disease has several stages:

1. ACUTE. Acute dermatitis is characterized by a sudden and severe course, during which the symptoms of the disease appear after a short period of time after contact with allergens. As a rule, the symptoms of the inflammatory process are quickly removed after contact with the allergen is excluded, as well as after drug intervention and the use of external agents (ointments, creams, gels).

Symptoms of the acute stage:

• sudden appearance of erythema;
• rashes, accompanied by severe itching;
• papules are filled with serous contents, which, after opening, form weeping;
• there is dryness and flaking of the skin.

As a rule, rashes pass without a trace.

2. CHRONIC. Prolonged exposure to the irritant and the persistence of the causative agent of dermatitis in the body lead to the transition of the acute stage to the chronic one, which proceeds with various complications. Treatment of the chronic form is much more difficult than in the acute period and requires patience.

Typical symptoms are the appearance of hyperemic spots, which, after opening, begin to itch. An infection can get into the scratches, then the inflammatory process is complicated. With such symptoms, long-term treatment is required, which includes both oral preparations and ointments for external use.

3. SUB-ACUTE. This stage is accompanied by a pronounced itching of the skin. Patients with this form need mandatory prevention and observation of an allergist who will prescribe appropriate treatment and specific ointments. The most common subacute form occurs in asthma, atopic dermatitis and hay fever.

4. GENERALIZED. Generalized pruritic dermatitis is considered to be the most severe form of the inflammatory process on the entire surface of the patient's body. He experiences severe itching and worsening of the general condition.

From the side of the skin it is noted:

• severe hyperemia;
• rough skin with thickening of the affected areas;
• swelling, peeling, dry skin are observed;
• possible microtrauma.

A generalized form of dermatitis can occur as a result of the use of certain medications (penicillins and sulfonamides), with malignant neoplasms, and allergies of a different nature.

General symptoms

Each form of inflammation has its own characteristic features. Depending on the result, differential diagnosis is carried out, however, all types of dermatitis are characterized by:

• hyperemia of the affected areas of the skin and obligatory rashes;
• unbearable itching, increasing as the attack of allergens and other irritants increases;
• dry skin;
• the occurrence of microtrauma as a result of scratching.

The severity of the disease is determined by the form of dermatitis and the activity of the irritating factor. It is important to remember that the symptoms of dermatitis can resemble other diseases, so it is important to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnostics

Before starting drug therapy, it is necessary to conduct a diagnostic examination of the patient. There are specially created standards that depend on the preliminary diagnosis of the patient.

First of all, the anamnesis of the disease is clarified and a visual examination of the patient is performed. At this stage, small things are important (slight hyperthermia, drowsiness, sudden onset of a rash, etc.).

If a blood test shows an increased number of eosinophils, and an immunogram reveals elevated IgE titers, then this indicates an allergic nature of the disease. In this case, it is necessary to conduct an additional skin test with the application of the alleged allergen. Depending on the result obtained, an individual treatment plan is developed.

Treatment of itchy dermatitis

An effective fight against itchy dermatitis involves the appointment of the following groups of drugs:

• antihistamines aimed at suppressing histamine activity, which is the main mediator of the inflammatory process. These include Loratadin, Zodak, Cetirizine, Suprastin, etc. It is important to take into account the possible side effects that occur when taking certain drugs in this group;
• to remove toxic substances from the body, enterosorbents are prescribed (Polysorb, Enterosgel, etc.);

• it should be borne in mind that acute dermatitis requires more aggressive treatment, and if a secondary infection joins, treatment with antibacterial and NSAIDs is recommended (Bactrim, Biseptol, Ibuprofen, etc.);
• with severe development of dermatitis, glucocorticosteroids are prescribed, which actively relieve the inflammatory process. Corticosteroids can be administered orally (Prednisolone, Dexamezaton, etc.) or in the form of an ointment (Beloderm, Advantan, Hydrocortisone ointment, etc.). Ointments Panthenol, Solcoseryl, etc. have a good effect.

It must be remembered that chronic pruritic dermatitis is much more difficult to cure, which is why timely sanitation of inflammatory foci in the body and early termination of contact with irritating substances are so important. Treatment must be continued even if the symptoms of the disease have already disappeared!

Important! You cannot self-medicate. This contributes to the deterioration of the general condition of the body and the development of secondary complications. Symptoms of the disease are neutralized only after the appointment of the attending physician. Itching dermatitis can be defeated when therapeutic measures are carried out in a complex manner. This approach will achieve long-term remission and minimize the secondary manifestations of the disease.