Dermatitis is a skin inflammatory disease that manifests itself under the influence of predisposing factors - biological, chemical or physical.
The contact form of a dermatological disease is caused by the ingress of a powerful allergen to the surface of the epidermis of the hands. This is the most common type of dermatitis.
Toxidermia is another type of pathological process. It develops against the background of penetration into the body of various stimuli. The main task of therapy is to avoid contact with the allergen or irritant, remove unpleasant symptoms and prevent its occurrence in the future.
Causes of development
Often dermatitis on the hands is found in the female. The disease can develop for several reasons, among which leading places are allocated:
- Physical factors. This group includes temperature fluctuations, radiation exposure, friction, and other external effects on the skin of the hands. For example, with the development of cold dermatitis, a spasm of small blood vessels occurs, which subsequently leads to the development of an inflammatory process. Such a deviation develops on the background of prolonged exposure to low temperatures.
- Biological factors. In this case we are talking about the impact on the skin of juice or pollen of plants - nettle, buttercups, garlic, elderberry, milkweed, aloe, etc.
- Chemical agents. This group of provocateurs for dermatitis on the hands includes exposure to the skin of chemical elements that are capable of violating its integrity - alkalis, lime, paints, varnishes, acids, household chemicals, etc.
The following allergens can cause dermatitis on the hands:
- Food products of a high degree of allergenicity - citrus fruits, nuts, milk (especially cow), red fish, honey and other beekeeping products, red fruits and berries, etc.
- Polluted environment. Exhaust gases, toxins, chemical waste emitted into the air by plants and factories - all of these factors adversely affect the skin condition. Gradually, they lead to its hypersensitivity and irritation, which becomes fertile ground for the development of dermatitis on the hands.
- Long-term or uncontrolled intake of drugs. Antibiotics, oral antimycotics, NSAIDs, some dietary supplements and herbal preparations have a negative effect on the skin.
- Elements of perfumery and cosmetics. This group of allergens most often provokes the development of dermatitis in the hands of women. Many patients report unpleasant symptoms after using deodorants, antiperspirants, toilet water, powder, blush, creams and other cosmetic products. Even expensive branded products are not a guarantee that a woman will not be allergic to her use.
Atopic dermatitis often develops against a background of genetic predisposition. In addition, the appearance of the disease is affected by disorders in the digestive tract, nervous and endocrine systems. Dermatitis is a common occurrence in people with autoimmune diseases.
Interesting fact. Scientists have found that the risk of developing atopic dermatitis is significantly reduced in children, in whose house a dog lives. But only on condition that the pet will be in the room before the baby is born.
The development of dermatitis on the hands is also affected by nervous disorders, unhealthy diet, hormonal imbalances, too hard water, the constant use of antibacterial soap and other factors. To avoid unpleasant disease, their effects must be excluded.
There are several types of dermatitis on the hands. Classification of pathology is based on the factors that caused its development.
This form of dermatitis develops when skin comes into contact with powerful external stimuli. For this type of disease is characterized by the appearance of limited foci of the inflammatory process, which can be seen in the photo. After symptomatic therapy, the epidermis is quickly and completely restored.
Atopic dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin, primarily due to genetic predisposition. Most often, this form of the pathological process is observed in children, less often in adults.
This type of disease is characterized by the development of inflammatory processes in the dermis, occurring against the background of prolonged exposure of the skin to sunlight. Solar dermatitis manifests itself as an ordinary skin allergy.
This type of dermatitis is found in people who have suffered prolonged exposure to ionic radiation or UV rays. The intensity of symptoms depends on the duration and intensity of exposure.
Allergic dermatitis on the hands is accompanied by a rash, itching, hyperemia, swelling, and subsequently - peeling of the epidermis. This form of pathology is prone to frequent relapses.
Eczematous form of dermatitis develops against the background of the attachment of bacterial pathogenic microflora with the subsequent formation of ulcers prone to ulceration.
Late treatment of dermatitis on the hands can lead to serious complications, including sepsis and psycho-emotional disorders.
The disease is characterized by rapid development and rather bright severity of symptoms. Patients suffering from dermatitis on the hands, often express complaints about the appearance of:
- burning sensation;
- severe itching;
- epidermis pain in the affected area;
- dry skin;
- small vesicles that soon burst, forming painful sores and sores;
Each type of dermatitis develops in several stages. At the initial stage, there is redness and swelling of the skin of the hands. With an urgent start of treatment, the epidermis is quickly restored.
The next phase of development of dermatitis is accompanied by the appearance of a blistering rash. Sometimes there may be complications in the form of suppuration in the affected area. At the last stage of development, painful ulcers are formed, which soon become covered with a scab.
What does dermatitis look like on hands: photo
In the photo below you can see how dermatitis manifests itself at an early and late stage of development.
In order to make a correct diagnosis and prescription of an effective treatment, the patient must consult a dermatologist or an allergist. Sometimes, as a supplement to general research, the patient is referred for additional consultation with a gastroenterologist, a neurologist, and other specialists.
In most cases, to identify contact dermatitis, there is enough patient survey results about the effects on the skin of any allergens. The allergic form of the pathology creates some difficulties in diagnosis, since in this case it is necessary for the doctor to determine which particular allergen has led to irritation of the epidermis.
For this purpose, a whole laboratory examination is carried out - blood tests (biochemical and general) and allergy tests. When attaching a bacterial infection, an additional bacteriological examination is carried out to determine the causative agent of purulent inflammation on the hands.
How to treat dermatitis on the hands?
Treatment of dermatitis should be started only after its causes have been accurately established. First of all, contact with the irritant should be excluded, and only then remove the unpleasant symptoms.
During the entire period of therapy, it is necessary to avoid contact of the affected skin area with water. In parallel, you should follow a diet, excluding from the menu all allergenic foods.
Applying ointments, creams and gels should be carried out over the entire affected area of the epidermis. It is unacceptable to handle single foci of inflammation: local preparations are not pills, and they do not extend their effect to other areas of the skin, but affect only its specific area.
So, the following drugs have proven themselves in the fight against dermatitis on the hands:
- Gistan, which quickly relieves itching and irritation of the skin, while simultaneously eliminating inflammation;
- Exoderil, which is an antimycotic agent, therefore, it is advisable to use it only if a fungal infection has occurred against the background of dermatitis, and the patient has been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis. This drug may be replaced by Nizoral, Clotrimazole, Lamisil, Nystatin, etc .;
- Radevit, in the shortest time possible, coping with itching, burning, scaling, and irritation of the skin, as well as eliminating inflammatory processes and restoring the epidermis in the case of seborrheic dermatitis;
- Elokom, Hydrocortisone or Prednisolone ointment - these are the local effects drugs that can be prescribed to patients with a deep lesion of the subcutaneous layers, and a heavy course of dermatitis on the hands.
To strengthen the local immunity, patients can be prescribed external immunostimulatory drugs - Elidel, Tacolimus, Protopic, Pimecrolimus, etc.
Launched dermatitis on the hands requires a more serious and comprehensive approach in terms of therapy. In this case, it is advisable to use:
- antihistamine drugs - Claritin, Erius, Fenkolaol, Nixar, etc .;
- sedative drugs - tinctures of valerian, motherwort; tablets and capsules - Novo-Passit, Bifren, etc .;
- vitamin complexes - Supradina, AlfaVita, Perfectil;
- antimicrobial agents (when attaching a bacterial infection) - Tetracycline or Erythromycin ointment, Doxycillin, etc.
For the purposes of prophylaxis, Lactobacterin is often prescribed - a drug that restores the normal intestinal microflora.
Note. If the complex therapy of dermatitis with the use of the aforementioned agents does not give the expected results, patients are prescribed oral medication from the GCS group.
Do well with dermatitis on the hands and alternative medicine:
- Cabbage leaf. This tool is used as an application to the affected skin. To fix the sheet, you can use an elastic bandage or patch. To do the manipulation is best for the night.
- Grate carrots and potatoes on a fine grater, mix gruel with a small amount of honey (if there is no allergy). Mass applied to the affected skin, wrap with a bandage on top. Do the procedure should also be at night.
- Lotions or trays of decoctions or infusions of anti-inflammatory medicinal plants - sage, chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula, succession, etc.
Folk remedies for the treatment of dermatitis on the hands can be combined with each other. They can also be supplemented with a treatment regimen developed by a doctor.
During the entire period of treatment, the patient must follow a certain diet, which excludes products that may provoke allergies or irritation of the skin. So, it is recommended to exclude from the menu:
- citrus fruit;
- any hot spices, seasonings;
- artificial amplifiers of taste and smell;
You should also give up cigarettes and alcohol. It is recommended to use oils of plant origin daily, but in reasonable quantities.
Damage to the skin in pregnant women and children
Difficulties in the treatment of dermatitis in the hands of pregnant women and young children lies in the fact that most of the medications used for these purposes, they are forbidden to use. That is why it is important to ask the dermatologist in detail about the specifics of treatment of this dermatological disease in these categories of patients. In this case, pregnant women should additionally consult with their obstetrician-gynecologist.
Pregnant women are allowed to apply:
- antipruritic and drying external agents;
- cream containing calamine;
- light hormonal ointment on the basis of GKS;
- products with eucalyptus or sea buckthorn oil.
Treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in the hands of pregnant women can be carried out using Cyclosporine or Panthenol. Well helps to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of the drug Bisabolol.
In parallel, it is recommended to undergo a course of physiotherapy. In particular, UV-B. Pregnant such a complex treatment regimen will not cause any harm.
Treatment in children
Dermatitis on the hands often affects children younger than 7 years old, in whom the center of the inflammatory process is, as a rule, the area between the fingers or the palm. Therapy in this case is based on the elimination of symptoms, for which local preparations are used - ointments, creams, gels. And only in rare cases is oral medication possible.
Well help to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of wiping the child's hands with Exomega (milk) or Hydrolipid (cream).
To prevent the development of dermatitis on the hands, follow these guidelines:
- always wear rubber gloves when in contact with household chemicals or other aggressive substances;
- choose household chemicals that do not contain acids and alkalis;
- in cold weather, always wear gloves;
- use sunscreen during the hot season;
- use only high-quality moisturizing hand soap;
- It is necessary to process the skin of the hands with nourishing creams 2-3 times a day, and more often if necessary.
In order to consolidate the result and prevent the development of dermatitis on the hands in the future, a monthly course of therapy is needed, based on the use of decoction or infusion of the yarrow herb. Reception duration - from 3 to 5 days.