Dermatitis Treatment Specialist Q&A

Dermatitis is an umbrella term used to describe numerous different types of skin rashes and irritations. Some of the most common types of dermatitis include:

Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, otherwise referred to as eczema, is the most common type of dermatitis and causes symptoms including dry, inflamed, reddened, itchy skin. This type of dermatitis is a chronic condition that often flares up only when triggered. It is usually triggered by certain allergens such as pet dander, certain foods, or pollen. Atopic dermatitis can also be triggered by stress or skin infections.

Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis occurs when you come in direct contact with substances you have a sensitivity or allergy to. This type of dermatitis can be identified by an itchy rash on the area that was directly exposed. The most common causes of contact dermatitis include pesticides, poison ivy, soap, solvents, rubber gloves, bleach, and detergents.

Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis causes scaly patches, dandruff, and red skin in the scalp area as well as any oily areas of the body. Triggers of seborrheic dermatitis may include certain medications, extreme weather changes, harsh detergents, stress, illnesses, and hormone changes.

The main causes of dermatitis include the following:

– Skin contact with certain substances
– Allergic reactions
– Immune system activation
– Stress
– Illness
– Hormonal imbalances
– Genetics
– Inflammatory diseases
– Environmental factors
– Food triggers

Symptoms of dermatitis look like the following:

– Skin reddening
– Flaky skin
– Blisters
– Dry skin
– Itchiness
– Painful ulcers
– Swelling
– Thick skin
– Bumps
– Rashes

If you experience any of the following conditions, make sure to seek dermatitis care right away:

– You can’t participate in your normal daily activities due to uncomfortable or painful symptoms
– You’re experiencing symptoms of an infection such as skin discoloration, fever, pus, and red streaks that go toward your heart
– Pain that won’t go away
– Your symptoms haven’t gone away on their own or with at-home treatments

Dermatitis can be cured with many different treatment options. Certain medications, corticosteroid creams, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory pills, light therapy, stress management, allergy shots, and wet dressings can be used to treat dermatitis. One of the best methods of controlling and managing chronic dermatitis is by avoiding triggers. Before you can avoid your allergy triggers, they will first have to be identified. Our allergists can perform a special skin test to give you an exact list of allergens you need to avoid.

If you have any additional questions about dermatitis care and treatment at The Allergy & Asthma Center, please feel free to reach out to our clinic anytime during our business hours. Our team of allergists would love to help increase your quality of life by helping you manage and reduce your symptoms. If you or a loved one is suffering from dermatitis, please schedule an appointment by giving us a call or by making a request through our online form. The Allergy & Asthma Center looks forward to your visit soon! We serve patients from Lawrenceville GA, Atlanta GA, Conyers GA, Suwanee GA, Duluth GA, Grayson GA, Decatur GA, Brookhaven GA, Lithonia GA and Covington GA.