Dermatitis: Types & Treatments

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[x]   Transcript: Here's your vocab word for the day: dermatitis. It means swollen, itchy skin. And almost any type of rash, dryness, or skin irritation can be blamed as being some form of it. Most of us deal with a type of dermatitis on a regular basis. Recognizing what YOU have and how to treat it can save you from A LOT of unnecessary discomfort. The most common culprit is contact dermatitis. This is when your body reacts to touching a foreign substance by forming a rash. Triggers are different for everyone, but are usually brought about by two categories of factors. The first -- irritants, like soaps, deodorants, or cosmetics. After repeated use they can cause dry, itchy patches of skin, usually on the hands and face. The second category encompasses contact with allergic reaction causes, like latex, metals, perfumes, medications or plants like poison ivy. The resulting reaction can vary -- form a tender rash or bumps to, in extreme cases, blisters. Treatment is simple-- the rash should clear up in a few weeks if you avoid your triggers. If the skin is itchy, soothe it by applying an overt-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. In rare cases of a very bad rash, your doctor can prescribe an oral medication to reduce swelling, itching, and spreading. Probably the best known dermatitis is eczema, as these names are really interchangable. Flaky, crusty and INSANELY itchy patches of skin appear, usually on your arms, legs, face or hands. Experts believe eczema is caused by a mix of exposure to irritants and a hereditary disposition. For fast relief, visit your doctor for prescription corticosteroid creams or pills designed to relieve itching. Seborrheic dermatitis is a third common type of dermatitis. As one of the main culprits of dandruff, it causes a dry, itchy, flaky scalp. Gaining control of it by buying medicated shampoo, found at any drugstore. Look for one with ingredients like tar, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole. The last form we'll talk about is neurodermatitis. What can start out as a simple bug bite or patch of dry skin is made worse by constant scratching, which makes skin thick, leathery, and even itchier. It can become a vicious lose-lose cycle: you scratch because you itch, and then you itch because you've been scratching. Your doctor can help set you up with a routine to help. Usually this includes a mix of corticosteroids shots to help soothe the skin and bandaging of the area. For more ways to keep your skin healthy, check out the rest of the videos in this series.

[x]   Bio: Adam Friedman, MD is a board-certified dermatologist who serves as Director of Dermatologic Research and Assistant Professor at the Unified Division of Dermatology of Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He also the Associate Residency Program Director. Dr. Friedman holds several patents resulting from his investigation of nanotechnologies that allow for the delivery of molecules that can treat infectious diseases, accelerate wound healing and more. He has published over 30 papers on both his research as well as a variety of clinical areas in dermatology. Dr. Friedman has received awards from multiple organizations such as the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Dermatology Foundation, and the La Roche Posay North American Foundation. Dr. Friedman is chair of the leadership workgroup of the American Academy of Dermatology Resident/Fellows Committee and is the Senior Editor of the Dermatology In-Review Online Workshop. In line with his research interests, Dr Friedman currently serves as Vice President of the Nanodermatology Society. Dr Friedman graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania and received his M.D. with Distinction in Dermatology Research from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He trained in medicine at New York Hospital Queens, affiliated with NY Presbyterian Hospital/ Weil-Cornell Medical Center and completed his dermatology residency as chief resident at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.