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Allergic dermatitis is a common condition affecting individuals of all ages, from infants to adults. The severity of the condition varies from person to person depending on their physiology. Without proper treatment, symptoms can worsen over time. So how do you treat allergic dermatitis? Learn about the causes and symptoms of the condition in this article from Mytour Blog.
What is Allergic Dermatitis?
Allergic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a condition that affects the skin. It commonly occurs in children under 5 years old and is not contagious. According to health experts, it affects approximately 13% of the Asian population, while around 10-11% of individuals with white or black skin are affected.
Allergic Dermatitis encompasses two levels: acute and chronic.
- Acute Level: Common symptoms of acute allergic dermatitis include itching, blistering, redness, etc. These symptoms can last from a few days to several months.
- Chronic Level: Chronic allergic dermatitis is more severe than acute dermatitis. Treating chronic dermatitis is relatively difficult as the condition tends to recur and is challenging to eradicate completely.
Allergic dermatitis refers to a condition where the skin becomes inflamed and red. (Source: Internet)Types of Allergic Dermatitis
Depending on the characteristics of this condition, it can be classified into various types. Here are the three most common types of inflammatory skin diseases.
Contact Allergic Dermatitis
Cases of contact dermatitis are caused by exposure to harmful environments such as chemicals, insect bites, heavy metals, etc. The disease usually clears up within the first 1-4 weeks.
Within this category, there is also allergic contact dermatitis. Symptoms of this type include the presence of blistering lesions on the skin, allowing bacteria to enter the body. The skin may become more swollen, red, or sore.
Allergic skin inflammation due to weather conditions
Weather fluctuations can also cause skin allergies, itching, and red rashes. This is especially common during seasonal transitions or in winter.
Genetic predisposition to allergic skin inflammation
This type tends to occur in individuals with a genetic predisposition or a family history of allergies. Typically, this condition is difficult to control. If you are experiencing genetic or hereditary conditions, it's advisable to seek medical attention from reputable dermatologists for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Allergic dermatitis caused by exposure to harmful substances (Source: Internet)Causes and Symptoms
As classified above, allergic dermatitis can be attributed to factors such as environment, immune system, and genetics.
Some environmental factors may include:
- Various cleaning agents, cosmetics, chemicals, etc.
- Dust, mold, pollen, etc.
- Various foods: cow's milk, eggs, wheat, etc.
- Extreme cold or hot weather
Some causes related to the immune system:
- Internal hormonal changes within the body
- Feelings of stress or discomfort
- Skin infections due to wounds
After understanding the causes of this condition, it's also important to grasp the common symptoms for appropriate treatment:
- The skin is highly prone to itching, especially in the evenings.
- Red rashes will appear on areas like arms, legs, neck, or wrinkled skin.
- Small fluid-filled bumps and red bumps will emerge under the arms or on the neck.
- The skin will become dry and exhibit flakiness.
- If severe, you may experience fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite, among other symptoms.
Symptoms of allergic dermatitis include red rashes all over the itchy skin (Source: Internet)Vulnerable Groups to Allergic Dermatitis
Allergic dermatitis can occur at any age and affect anyone. However, children are the most common demographic affected today.
- For infants: Affliction commonly occurs in babies aged 6-12 months. Some common symptoms include red patches around the cheeks or chin. This is a common condition in infants and typically improves by the age of 18 months.
- For children: Tends to develop in the skin behind the knees or on the inside of elbows. In some cases, symptoms may occur around the lips.
- For adults: Allergies will manifest in the hands or feet. Common symptoms include dry, cracked, and peeling skin. Prolonged duration in adults significantly impacts quality of life, leading to sleep disturbances and decreased work productivity.
Dermatitis often appears frequently in infants from 5-6 weeks old (Source: Internet)Complications of Allergic Dermatitis
Without timely treatment, allergic dermatitis can lead to various complications such as skin infections, asthma, and psychological effects.
Skin Infection
When the skin experiences dryness, peeling, etc., along with itching, it creates favorable conditions for bacteria to grow and invade. If you notice pimples with white spots or swelling, you should visit a hospital for early examination to avoid infection.
Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis
This condition, if it worsens, will lead to allergic rhinitis and asthma. Asthma, in particular, causes patients to stop breathing and poses a high risk of death.
Psychological Impact
Allergic dermatitis makes children hesitant to interact with people around them. Especially for those in school, being teased in class is an issue that affects the child's psychology. Over time, this will make the child shy and have difficulty integrating into groups.
Impact on Sleep
The constant discomfort of dermatitis pain significantly affects sleep quality. Prolonged sleep deprivation leads to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
Allergic dermatitis affects psychology and sleep (Source: Internet)Treatment for Allergic Dermatitis
Currently, treating dermatitis is often done with natural remedies at home, such as using various types of leaves or herbs. However, without proper treatment, allergic dermatitis is difficult to completely heal and can lead to many complications. Here are the correct treatment methods for allergic dermatitis:
Medication Usage
Medications for allergic dermatitis can come in the form of creams or ointments containing corticosteroids. Both types work to reduce itching and redness in inflamed skin. Some also contain calcineurin, which can be used in children aged 2 and older. If your red patches become infected, antibiotics may also be used to reduce inflammation and itching.
Using Phototherapy
Phototherapy uses ultraviolet rays or light lamps to suppress immune reactions. This therapy is used for mild inflammation without too many ulcers. Although phototherapy provides rapid effects, few people use it because prolonged use can cause skin aging or increase the risk of cancer.
Home Treatment
Proper home care for dermatitis, such as practicing yoga, meditation, listening to music, etc., will help alleviate the condition quickly. It's important to limit scratching when inflamed to allow the skin to breathe as much as possible and reduce the risk of infection.
Additionally, you can also use therapies like acupuncture, green tea, or coconut oil to soothe inflamed pimples or cysts. However, before using these, it's advisable to seek medical advice to avoid adverse reactions from inappropriate measures.
Preventing Allergic Dermatitis
One of the most effective ways to prevent allergic dermatitis is to moisturize, choose gentle products or breathable clothing, etc. Especially, selecting a suitable moisturizer will ensure timely hydration for the skin. Additionally, drink at least 2 liters of water per day to hydrate the skin from within.
Keeping the allergic skin area clean is also a measure to reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, when bathing, you should use warm water instead of hot or cold water, as this can dry out the skin. When outdoors, be sure to use sun protection measures to minimize the impact of sunlight on the skin.
Preventing allergic dermatitis involves limiting scratching (Source: Internet)Common Questions about Allergic Dermatitis
Is Allergic Dermatitis Dangerous?
In reality, dermatitis does not pose a significant threat to the psychological and daily activities of patients. However, it's important to care for and protect the body well to prevent the condition from worsening and causing more severe complications.
Is this condition contagious?
Allergic dermatitis is not contagious. However, it can lead to various complications such as asthma or allergies.
Can Allergic Dermatitis Heal Itself?
In most cases, treating this inflammation requires intervention from healthcare professionals. Some individuals may still experience self-recovery, but this is rare and the condition often persists and worsens.
Do you need to avoid anything when you have allergic dermatitis?
When afflicted with this condition, it's advisable to limit the consumption of stimulants such as alcohol, tobacco, etc. Additionally, consult with your doctor about triggering foods like seafood, red meat, etc., to avoid or reduce exacerbation of the condition.
Through this article, Mytour hopes you have gained a correct understanding of allergic dermatitis as well as its treatment. If you notice any signs on your skin, it's best to consult a doctor for thorough treatment. Absolutely do not attempt self-healing. Don't forget to visit Mytour for more useful information on health and beauty!
