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Eczema And Dermatitis
By Mike Singh
The word dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. Eczema is a specific form of
dermatitis. Some physicians use the word eczema to describe internally-provoked
inflammation of the skin, usually due to allergies, which may affect some people
more than others.
Dermatitis, on the other hand, also includes conditions that are caused by
external factors and affect everybody in the same way, such as sunburn. The
distinction between eczema and dermatitis is not important for their treatment,
so the terms are used interchangeably here.
In addition to inflammation of the skin, eczema is characterized by redness and
flaking and/or blistering. Eventually, the skin in the affected area becomes
thickened and changes color.
There are many types of eczema. Several of the more common varieties that adults get follow.
Contact dermatitis: This condition is caused by an allergy to certain substances
that may touch the skin. If you are highly allergic, for example to poison ivy,
the dermatitis develops within 48 hours after contact. The skin becomes red and
itchy, even beyond the point of contact, and tiny blisters develop.
These may join to form large blisters, which then break and crust over. If minute
traces of chemicals from the plant are accidentally transferred from one part of
the body to another, contact dermatitis may develop on the second part also.
Some forms of contact dermatitis are much less pronounced. For example, allergy
to contact with nickel (on the underside of a wrist watch or earrings, for example),
produces a red, flaky, itchy patch of skin, which may take weeks or even months to develop.
If an irritant remains in constant contact with your skin, the dermatitis will spread.
Seborrheic eczema: This type of eczema affects adults and young infants
in different ways (for seborrheic eczema in infants,). In adults, the creases from
the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth may become red, flaky and
itchy. In men, this inflammation may extend to the beard area and the hairy
parts of the chest and back.
The condition may also affect other skin creases such as the groin, armpits, and
under the breasts. If it is found in a fold of skin and is moist, it is also known
as intertrigo. Seborrheic eczema in a mild form also causes dandruff .
The cause of seborrheic eczema is not known. It tends to run in families, and
usually comes and goes over several years.
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