Dermatitis & Clinical Manifestation in the Foot

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin which is a brad term to describe a number of different manifestations . It can effect anywhere in the body and can be categorized into various types . The term is often used to describe eczema .It can be acute or chronic

The term dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin . In the acute type there is redness and swelling .There maybe papules , vesicles and exudation with cracking and scaling (Boon , Hunter , Walker and Colledge 2003

The chronic form may show many of the features of

the acute from but also a dry leathery thickening with increased skin markings fissures , scratch marks and pigmentation (Boon , Hunter , Walker and Colledge 2003

Irritant eczema can be described as eczema in response to detergents , solvents , strong chemicals which cause a chronic type of eczema . The area involved is that exposed to the irritating factor

Contact allergic eczema is a type of delayed hypersensitivity reaction . Allergic contact dermatitis is a reaction by the body 's immune system to a substance contacting the skin . Sometimes a person can be sensitized by only one exposure , and other times sensitization occurs only after many exposures to a substance . After a person is sensitized the next exposure causes itching and dermatitis within 4 to 24 hours although some people , particularly older people , do not develop a reaction for 3 to 4 days (Shalock , 2006

Thousands of substances can result in allergic contact dermatitis The most common include substances found in plants such as poison ivy rubber (latex , antibiotics , fragrances , preservatives , and some metals (such as nickel and cobalt . About 10 of women are allergic to nickel , a common component of jewellery . People may use (or be exposed to ) substances for years without a problem , then suddenly develop an allergic reaction . Even ointments , creams , and lotions used to treat dermatitis can cause such a reaction . People may also develop dermatitis from many of the materials they touch while at work (occupational dermatitis (Shalock , 2006

A dermatitis is due to excessive IgE levels in the body which leads to a hypersensitivity reaction in the form of hypersensitivity to dust and pollen . Such individuals might have asthma , food allergies , hay fever and urticaria

A dermatitis is diagnosed after a history of itch in skin creases or asthma or hay fever , dry skin and visible flexural eczema is present . An early onset of within the first two years of life is also one of the criteria for diagnosis . Widespread dryness , itch and scratching are some of the main features . The exact cause of AD is not known . Research has shown that a person is more likely to have AD if parents or other family members have ever had AD , hay fever , asthma , or food allergies

There are many things that worsen the itching and rash of A dermatitis . These are different for each person (Leung , 2006 Scratching or rubbing the skin can make the itch and rash of A Dermatitis worse . Scratching causes further irritation , injures the...