Allergies, Dermatitis, Eczema, and Rashes

There are many causes of skin rashes or general inflammation of the skin. If you are experiencing a rash or other signs or symptoms related to irritation/inflammation of the skin, you may want to see a dermatologist for treatment. Causes for skin inflammation, rashes or scaly patches on the skin may include: autoimmune disease, viral, bacterial or fungal infection, allergens, medications or even cancer.

Rappaport Dermatology looks at various factors when diagnosing and treating rashes and skin allergies. We will ask questions that will help us determine the cause of the problem. Some of these factors may include: family history of atopic dermatitis, whether anyone in your family has asthma or hay fever and other important, more specific lifestyle questions.

Dermatitis is defined simply as “inflammation of the skin”, and is a common cause of many rashes or irritated areas on the skin.

Atopic dermatitis is a very common skin condition that cause red, scaly, itchy areas and is called by a few different names. You may hear atopic dermatitis referred to as:

• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Atopic eczema

Atopic dermatitis is very common skin inflammation in infants and young children and can be extremely uncomfortable and itchy. This condition will usually show up on infants as a red, scaly area on the cheeks or face. Older children commonly have it show up on their knees, elbows, neck, wrist, or ankles. Children may not be able to sleep because they are so uncomfortable and may rub or scratch the skin so much that it becomes infected. Atopic dermatitis is seen more often in children than adults. Adults that had AD as a child may have very dry, sensitive skin or thick patches of skin that itches all the time. In adults AD commonly appears on elbows, knees and nape of neck and around the eyes and is much more scaly than in children. The goal with treatment of atopic dermatitis is to control itching, reduce inflammation, prevent or clear infection, and reduce or stop new scaly lesions from forming.

Other types of dermatitis:

• Contact dermatitis- caused by your body’s reaction to an allergen or substance that directly contacts the skin. The reaction usually shows up a day or two after contact, but could also take as long as a week or as soon as a few hours.
• Neurodermatitis (lichen simplex chronicus)- skin disorder that leads to a scratch-itch cycle and chronic itching and scratching.
• Seborrheic dermatitis- a common scaling rash that occurs in people of all ages. When found on the scalp the condition is also known as dandruff.
• Stasis dermatitis- common inflammatory skin disease that develops in lower extremities such as legs or ankles. People who have venous insufficiency may develop this condition.
• Perioral dermatitis- skin disorder characterized by tiny red bumps around the mouth.

If you have a rash or patches of skin that are itching, red, inflamed or irritated, you may want to see a dermatologist. Call Rappaport Dermatology to schedule an appointment and we will help you determine the cause and best treatment plan for relief.