Allergic contact dermatitis - Causes, symptoms and treatment. MF.

Contact allergic dermatitis is a common allergic disease that occurs with skin lesions resulting from direct skin contact with the allergen.

Accurate data on the prevalence of contact allergic dermatitis is not available due to existing deficiencies in the detection and recording of these conditions. A number of authors indicate that at least two people out of 100 suffer from allergic contact dermatitis. In addition, allergic contact dermatitis accounts for up to 90% of all occupational diseases that occur with skin lesions.

From personal experience I can say that the number of patients with allergic contact dermatitis becomes more and more every year.

Causes of contact allergic dermatitis

After the very first contact with the allergen( allergen - the substance causing an allergic reaction) before the onset of symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis is at least 14 days. In a patient with an already developed allergy and the present sensitivity to this substance, this time decreases to three days. Such a relatively slow rate of development of the symptoms of the disease distinguishes allergic contact dermatitis from allergic reactions of immediate type( for example, atopic dermatitis), in which the rate of development of symptoms can be calculated in minutes.

For the development of allergic contact dermatitis , the allergen should have a close and prolonged contact with the skin. Currently, more than three thousand substances capable of provoking the development of allergic contact dermatitis have been described. And the number continues to increase daily. Here are some common allergens. ..

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Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis

The disease can be acute and chronic, which is determined by the frequency of contact with the allergen. The severity of allergy symptoms directly depends on the duration of contact with the allergen and its chemical activity.

Typical symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis are redness of the skin, puffiness, wetness, the appearance of blisters at the site of inflammation. The occurrence of the above symptoms is accompanied by intense skin itching.

Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis can be located directly at the point of contact with the allergen so, and be located from this zone at some distance.

Symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis are more intense in younger patients. There is also a direct relationship between the dose of the incoming allergen and the severity of the manifestations.

With prolonged course of the disease( chronic form), a thickening of the skin occurs at the place of usual contact with the allergen, a significant increase in the skin pattern, dry skin. The appearance of cracks. ..

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What tests will have to take if you suspect allergic contact dermatitis

The diagnosis is based on the characteristic symptoms of the disease, identified contacts with potential allergens.

To accurately identify the allergen that causes an allergic disease, cutaneous appliqué tests( patch tests) are possible. They are sticky paper plates with allergens applied to them. On one plate there can be more than ten different allergens. These strips are pasted on the back skin for 48 hours. I think, it is not necessary to say that the skin should be cleaned beforehand. If the patient has an allergic mood to any of the tested allergens, the skin under the corresponding cell of the plate turns red, a small puffiness may appear, and with a sharply positive reaction a small blister. Skin changes quickly enough after removing the allergen from the skin. These diagnostic tests can be freely purchased at the pharmacy, their use is absolutely safe for the patient. But to interpret the results, after all, should a doctor who has experience with such test systems. The results of the tests will not be affected by taking antihistamines, but taking corticosteroids, including local ones, should be canceled at least 5 days in advance. The reaction is put only in the stage of remission of the disease. ..

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Treatment of allergic contact dermatitis

For acute inflammation and development of wetness - make lotions with cold water and / or Burov's fluid. Local corticosteroids are effective. They are prescribed a short course up to 14 days with a frequency of 1-2 times a day. Preference should be given to drugs of the last generation, which do not contain fluoride in their composition. For example, cream and ointment elokom, advantan, lokoid, etc. When assigned a short course - the drugs are absolutely safe and do not cause changes on the skin.

In very severe reactions, corticosteroid preparations may be administered orally. The duration of treatment and dosage of drugs in this case can only be determined by a doctor, which is associated with the possibility of developing a number of unpleasant side effects from such therapy.

In the treatment complex, antihistamines can be prescribed. They will help reduce puffiness and itching. Although their role in the treatment of this type of allergic reactions is secondary. Examples of drugs: cetrin, zodak, claritin, zirtek, erius, etc. They are prescribed once a day, the course of treatment is not less than 10 days.

Features of nutrition and lifestyle with allergic contact dermatitis.

The most important component of the treatment of allergic contact dermatitis is the elimination of the allergen that causes the disease from the environment. In this case, the recommendations depend on the type of allergen. ..

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Treatment of allergic contact dermatitis with folk remedies.

In the arsenal of "folk medicine" there are a number of ways that are recommended for use in allergic contact dermatitis. For example, it is advised to lubricate the affected skin with apple or cucumber juice, sour cream, butter, make compresses from fresh mashed potatoes. Erosions are also washed with decoction from the bark of oak or infusion of St. John's wort. Inside drink a decoction of celery. ..

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Allergic contact dermatitis in children.

In children, this disease is almost not found due to the characteristics of the immune response in the early years of life. The fact that allergic contact dermatitis is a disease that proceeds as an excessive cellular immune response, and this link of the immune system in children of the first years of life is quite weak.

Children can have contact dermatitis, quite similar to allergic, but not having an immune nature. The cause of contact dermatitis is direct damage to the upper layer of the skin. A classic example of such reactions is diaper dermatitis, which occurs in children of the first year of life when diapers are misused. Allergic contact dermatitis and pregnancy.

In pregnant women, the disease has no significant difference compared to the rest of the patient population. In the treatment they try to carry out the most complete elimination of the allergen from the environment. It should seek treatment with minimal drug load. Prescribe topical drugs, antihistamines 3 generations, for example, telfast, inside.

Possible complications of allergic contact dermatitis and prognosis

Prognosis for life is favorable. When eliminating contact with allergens - a complete cure for the disease. It is more difficult when an allergic reaction develops on the professional allergens with which the patient meets at work. In this case, sometimes it is necessary to change the profession, which can lead to social disadaptation of the patient and simply to personal tragedy.

Prevention of allergic contact dermatitis

There is no primary prevention aimed at preventing the development of the disease. Some authors recommend paying attention to the material of jewelry, for example, when piercing. Since in this case there is a very long contact of potential allergens with the skin. It is preferable to use metals that are resistant to oxidation( titanium, gold, silver, etc.) and avoid cheap alloys, especially those containing nickel.

With the already developed disease, prevention is aimed at preventing the development of exacerbations and consists in stopping contact with the allergen.

The most common dermatitis from the effects of chemical factors occur in the workplace and they are regarded as occupational hazards. People suffering from dermatitis as a result of exposure to varnish-colored products, oils, etc.in the conditions of production, first of all, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene: the most frequent change of working clothes, the reception of the shower after the end of the shift, the fastest neutralization of the irritant that has got on the skin by various means. With the systematic emergence of occupational dermatitis, it is necessary to transfer the sick person to work, which excludes the possibility of contact with this distributing factor.

The problem of chronic contact dermatitis is common in life. Often people are unable to refuse contact with the irritant. Professional musicians often encounter contact allergic dermatitis from constant contact with the irritating factor used in the composition of a musical instrument. To stabilize the process of the affected skin, first of all it is necessary to try to pick up another tool. It means changing the composition of the skin-contacting surfaces( the composition of wood, strings, etc.).In some cases, this helps to avoid the chronization of the process.

Answers to frequently asked questions on the topic of allergic contact dermatitis:

Which cosmetics are the safest in terms of allergies?
Answer:. ..

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