Dermatitis Types

Eczema is the name for a group of conditions that cause skin to become dry and irritated. Contact, Seborrhoeic and Venous Stasis Dermatitis fall under this umbrella.

Contact Dermatitis is a type of eczema triggered by contact with a particular substance, material or common allergen. It usually improves or clears up completely if the substance causing the problem is identified and avoided. This reaction typically occurs within a few hours or days of exposure to an irritant or allergen. Symptoms can affect any part of the body but most commonly the hands and face. This type of dermatitis causes the skin to become inflamed (irritated), blistered, dry, thickened and cracked. Those with lighter skin tones, will become red and those with darker skin tones can become dark brown, purple or grey.

Contact Dermatitis is split into 2 groups, Irritant and Allergen contact dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis may be caused by frequent exposure to a weak irritant, such as soap or detergent. It may also develop if you’ve been in contact with a stronger irritant for a short while. You’re at an increased risk of irritant contact dermatitis if you also have atopic eczema, which is the most common form of eczema.

Common irritants include:

• soaps and detergents
• antiseptics and antibacterials
• perfumes and preservatives in toiletries or cosmetics
• solvents
• oils used in machines
• disinfectants
• acids and alkalis
• cement
• powders, dust and soil
• water – especially hard, chalky water or heavily chlorinated water
• many plants – such as Ranunculus, spurge, Boraginaceae and mustards

If you already have irritant contact dermatitis symptoms, they can be made worse by heat, cold, friction (rubbing against the irritant) and low humidity (dry air).

Exposure at work

You may be more at risk of irritant contact dermatitis if you work with irritants as part of your job, or if your job involves a lot of wet work.

If you develop the condition because of a substance you work with, it may be referred to as occupational irritant dermatitis.

This type of dermatitis is more common in certain occupations, including:

• agricultural workers
• beauticians and hairdressers
• chemical workers
• cleaners
• construction workers
• cooks and caterers
• metal and electronics workers
• health and social care workers
• machine operators
• mechanics and vehicle assemblers

Allergen contact dermatitis

The first time you come into contact with an allergen, your body becomes sensitised to it, but does not react to it. It’s only when you’re exposed to the substance again that your immune system reacts and causes the skin to become red and itchy.

Allergens that commonly cause allergic contact dermatitis include:

• cosmetic ingredients – such as preservatives, fragrances, hair dye and nail varnish hardeners
• metals – such as nickel or cobalt in jewellery
• some topical medicines (medicines applied directly to the skin) – including topical corticosteroids, in rare cases
• rubber – including latex, a type of naturally occurring rubber
• textiles – particularly the dyes and resins that are contained in them
• strong glues – such as epoxy resin adhesives
• some plants – such as chrysanthemums, sunflowers, daffodils, tulips and primula

Seborrheic Dermatitis is a common , chronic or relapsing form of eczema that affects the sebaceous glands of the scalp, face and trunk. It is a common skin disease that causes an itchy rash with flaky scales. It causes red patches in European skin and light patches on brown skin tones. It is also known as seborrhoea, seborrheic eczema and seborrheic psoriasis.

 As it is quite similar in presentation to psoriasis, eczema or an allergic reaction, it commonly appears on the scalp but it can present anywhere on the body. Some adults may get seborrheic dermatitis on their face, especially around their nose, (high sebaceous gland area) in their eyebrows, on their eyelids, or behind their ears. It can show up in other places such as:

• In the middle of the chest area
• Around your navel
• On your buttocks
• In the skin folds under your arms and on your legs
• In your groin
• Under the breasts

In babies and children, babies 3 months and under often get cradle cap (crusty brown/yellow scales on the scalp). It usually clears itself up before the baby is 1, but it can come back when they reach puberty.

Triggers/Causes 

• Stress
• Your genes
• A yeast that is quite harmless ordinarily, but an overgrowth of this yeast will cause it to manifest
• Certain medical conditions and medications
• An immune response

It isn’t caused by an allergic reaction or a sign of poor personal hygiene.

Risk Factors 

Newborns and adults ages 30-60 are most likely to get seborrheic dermatitis. It’s more common in men and women with oily skin. These conditions as can increase the adults risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis

• Acne
• AIDS
• Alcoholism
• Depression
• Eating Disorder
• Epilepsy
• Heart attack or stroke recovery
• Parkinson’s disease
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea

Managing your stress levels, regulating your hormones (either with medication or dietary changes), sleeping well and maintaining good general health are clearly linked in triggering and managing this condition. It is especially important in knowing your skin type. Once you are aware, you will be able to find a product that will help control the amount of oil the skin produces and reduce the oily sheen we all know and hate!

Venous Stasis Dermatitis happens when there’s a problem with your veins, usually in your lower legs, that keeps blood from flowing freely within the vein. As more fluid and the pressure builds, some of the blood leaks out of your veins and into your skin.

The condition is also called venous eczema or stasis dermatitis. It’s more common in people who are 50 or older. Women are more likely to have it than men.

Medical treatments can help, and you can do many things on your own to get the problem under control.

Symptoms

Swelling around your ankles is often the first sign you’ll notice. It might get better when you sleep and then come back during the day when you’re active again. Your legs might feel heavy when you stand or walk.

Other symptoms can include:

• The skin around or above your ankles looks reddish, yellowish, or a brown colour
• Varicose veins, which look twisted, bulging, and dark purple or blue
• Itching
• Pain
• Sores that ooze, crust, or look scaly
• Thickened skin around your ankles or shins
• Hair loss on ankles or shins

The condition often affects people who have circulation problems. When your veins don’t work well, they don’t return blood back to your heart like they’re supposed to.

The veins in your legs have one-way valves that help blood move through. Their job is to push blood up your legs. As you get older or have other health problems, the valves may not work like they should. This is called venous insufficiency.

In some cases this and other conditions can cause pressure to build. Not enough blood and oxygen reach the skin.

Triggers/Causes

• High blood pressure
• Varicose veins
• Being very overweight
• Heart conditions such as congestive heart failure
• Kidney failure
• A blood clot, especially in your leg
• Many pregnancies
• Past surgery or injury in the area

You also may be more likely to have it if you usually stand or sit for long periods of time or you don’t get much exercise.

Treatments

Because circulation is the main issue, your doctor may suggest surgery to repair your veins. Whether or not that is an option, there are other ways to get the fluid moving in your legs:

• Wear compression stockings. They ease swelling and improve blood flow.
• Keep your feet elevated above your heart. When you can, do it for 15 minutes every 2 hours and while you sleep.
• Don’t stand still for too long. Walk around often.

To treat pain, redness, or swelling, your doctor may give you a steroid or other medicine to rub on your ankles and legs. An antihistamine pill or cream might help if your legs are itchy.

You might need to wrap the area with a medicated dressing to help it heal. If you have an infection, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic pill or cream.

A moisturiser can help with dry skin and keep the area soft. Choose one that has no fragrance, dyes, or perfumes so it doesn’t irritate your skin. Petroleum jelly and thick creams can be good options.

Take Care of Yourself

A few changes to your daily habits can help you get your venous stasis dermatitis under control and keep it from getting worse.

Take breaks. If your job keeps you sitting or standing for long periods, take time to move. Take a brisk walk for about 10 minutes each hour.

Exercise. Moving makes blood flow better. Ask your doctor how often you should work out and what activities are safe for you.

Wear comfortable clothes. Compression stockings are a good choice for your legs, but choose loose-fitting cotton clothes for the rest of your body. Tight or rough fabrics can irritate your skin and affect circulation.

Take care of your skin. Your skin could get easily irritated. It’s a good idea to use only gentle cleansers and soft towels when you bathe, followed quickly by a fragrance-free moisturizer. Avoid cleaning products, perfumes, grass, plants, pet hair, or anything else that bothers your skin.

If you are unsure about using our products, please consult your doctor first.

To find out more about Dermatitis types, visit https://www.nhs.uk/search/results?q=dermatitis