Dermatitis

Subject: Geriatric Nursing (Theory)

Overview

Dermatitis

A generic word for acute or persistent inflammatory skin diseases is dermatitis. There are two kinds of dermatitis: exogenous (contact dermatitis) and endogenous (the remaining types).

Contact Dermatitis

The most typical type of dermatitis is contact dermatitis. Patients with contact dermatitis typically have pruritus, which can range in intensity from moderate to severe. Contact with cosmetics, perfumes, sunscreen, jewelry, skin care products, scents, plants, etc. are common causes of contact dermatitis.

On inspection, there are acute responses that appear as erythematous and oedematous plaques. The skin may be smooth, macerated, fractured, crusted, cracked, or fissured. Additionally, the lesions may be weeping and erosive. Chronic lesions can thicken and show signs of scratching-induced excoriation.

Treatment

There are several treatment modalities. It is important to find and get rid of the first problematic agent. Second, an antihistamine like Benadryl or hydroxine should be prescribed if the patient experiences pruritis. Applying a strong topical corticosteroid can reduce pruritus and frequently hasten the symptom's resolution.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

A typical skin condition is seborrheic dermatitis. The scalp, face (particularly the bridge of the nose, eyebrows, and eyelids), ears, trunk, groin, and genitalia are the sites where it is most commonly observed. Seborrheic dermatitis occurs more frequently and can be more severe in patients with parkinsonism.

Pruritis is the most common issue. The patient can also express concerns about dandruff. Scaling with an underlying middle erythema are the hallmarks of seborrheic dermatitis.

On the face, trunk, or intertriginous areas, low-potency corticosteroid preparations or ketoconazole cream were effective in controlling the symptoms and signs of seborrheic dermatitis.

Xerotic Dermatitis

  • Xerosis or xerotic dermatitis refers to dryness of the skin. The exact cause is unknown. It is felt to be secondary to decreased water content or sebum production of the skin. Xerosis is worse during the winter months when humidity levels are lower.
  • Seborrheic keratosis

Treatment

a seborrheic keratosis that is often eliminated with curettage or liquid nitrogen freezing. They can also be taken out surgically. In order to confirm the diagnosis, suspicious lesions should be biopsied or excised, depending on whether they resemble melanomas or seborrheic keratosis.

Things to remember

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