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Mar 10, 2011

Dermatitis


Dermatitis
Fisher's Contact Dermatitis, 6e (Rietschel, Fisher's Contact Dermititis)
Symptoms                                                                                                      
This is typically the first sign of allergies and is seen in 10 to 20% of all children, frequently during infancy. Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is characterized by itching, with rash formation at the sites of scratching. The rash is typically red and dry, may have small blisters, and can flake and ooze over time.

In infants and very young children, this rash involves the face (especially the cheeks), chest and trunk, back of the scalp and may involve the arms and legs. This distribution reflects where the child is able to scratch, and therefore usually spares the diaper area. The location of the rash changes in older children and adults to classically involve the skin in front of the elbows and behind the knees. Food and environmental allergies have been shown to worsen atopic dermatitis.

Find out more about:

    * Basics of Atopic Dermatitis
    * Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Diagnosis

here is no laboratory test that can be used to diagnose atopic dermatitis. Instead, a physician must examine a patient and review the history of her symptoms.

There are three criteria that must be present in order to diagnose atopic dermatitis:

    * Allergies — The person must have allergies (at least one positive skin test) and/or a family history of allergic diseases in close relatives. There may be rare cases in which a person has atopic dermatitis without evidence of allergies.
    * Itching — The patient must have itching and scratching in order for the rash to occur. If the skin or areas of the rash do not itch or have not been scratched, then the person does not have atopic dermatitis.
    * Eczema — Eczema refers to the appearance of the rash in patients with atopic dermatitis; it also occurs in those with other skin diseases. The rash appears red, with small blisters or bumps. These may ooze or flake with further scratching. Over the long-term, the skin appears thickened and leathery.

In most cases, people with atopic dermatitis should have skin testing performed to aeroallergens (pollens, molds, pet dander and dust mite) as well as to common food allergens. Avoiding allergic triggers is an important step in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Treatment

The treatment of atopic dermatitis involves three major components:

    * Avoidance of triggers
    * Maintaining good skin care
    * Use of appropriate medications when needed

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