By Elizabeth Eby

There are many types of skin disorders (dermatitis). Dermatitis can occur at any age, although some forms occur more frequently among infants and people over the age of 50. Many skin conditions result in red, itchy patches of skin. But scratching or rubbing the area only makes it worse. In extreme cases, scratching can cause infection or cause the skin to thicken and harden. 

Chronic dry skin is the most common complaint. As humidity decreases, skin gets dryer, and scratching and rubbing make the problem worse. Skin conditions often feel worse at night because moisture in the skin decreases, and also because the distractions of the day are missing, so we tend to notice any skin problems more.

It’s a vicious cycle, the more our skin itches, the more we scratch; the more we scratch, the worse the skin itches. Like so many of life’s irritants, skin conditions often result in sleepless nights and excess stress that reduce our ability to cope with the discomfort.

As a result, dermatitis can be a caregiver nightmare—regardless of whether the caregiver or the care recipient (or both) has a skin condition.

Below find descriptions of some of the more common skin conditions. For more information on treating these conditions, please see our Skin Conditions section in Health Conditions.

Eczema

Several different types of eczema exist. It’s important to receive a correct diagnosis with eczema, since different types may look similar but have different causes and treatments.

A few of the more common types of eczema include atopic eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, and irritant contact dermatitis.

1. Atopic eczema is closely linked with asthma and hayfever. Common symptoms include severe itchiness, dryness of the skin, and redness and inflammation of the skin. Scratching due to severe itching may cause the skin to split which can lead to infection. Treatments may include emollients and moisturizers or topical steroids. Ask your dermatologist for more information.
2. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by a reaction to a substance in contact with the skin. For example, you may develop a reaction to nickel which can be found on earrings, belt buckles, or jeans buttons. If you develop a rash after wearing a certain item if clothing or certain jewelry, check with your dermatologist to see if you have an allergy.
3. Irritant contact dermatitis is a reaction or skin irritation to common substances such as laundry detergent or soap. One way to prevent irritation is to keep hands moisturized. Some people may benefit form using fragrance-free soaps and products. Check with your dermatologist for more information.

Chronic Dermatitis

Many skin conditions are temporary, once the allergen is identified you can avoid coming into contact with it, but many are chronic. Athlete’s foot and other fungal infections are difficult to control.  Shoes and socks keep the feet warm and moist causing fungal infections to thrive.  Our hands are constantly exposed to irritants and in and out of water.  Chronic dermatitis often leads to cracks and blisters in the skin that may become contaminated by bacteria.

Symptoms of Dermatitis

Warts, rashes, scaling and swelling flesh, oozing blisters…these are just a few of the symptoms of dermatitis.  Common names like “the barnacles of life,” which refers to benign scaling flat-topped warts, can be absolutely frightening.  Skin disorders can erupt and disappear as quickly as they came.  

Temporary Relief

Most home treatments focus on itch relief rather than a cure. Applying gauze dipped in cool water or Burrow’s Solution to the irritated skin may help. A bath or shower can provide temporary relief to itching.  Colloidal oatmeal baths are just one of many over the counter treatments that can help.  Consult with your pharmacist or health care professional to decide what products to try.

Medical Intervention

The best guideline is to consult a dermatologist if the condition persists or is too painful to endure. Consulting a physician is important because some moisturizers contain allergen so the moisturizer itself may be the cause of the condition. Dermatitis may be caused by Staphylococcal Infections (staph) or another bacterial infection. The dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics, ointments, and special skin creams.  The dermatologist can determine if the cause is a hereditary disease, identify allergens or run patch tests to determine the cause of a skin disorder. 

Preventing Skin Conditions

Keeping the skin clean and dry, avoiding chemicals that may cause irritation, applying moisturizers, and using a humidifier are relatively easy preventive measures. Fragrances and special chemicals in cosmetics, laundry products, and household cleaning products often irritate the skin.

Some people are allergic to the chemicals in rubber products used in gloves, shoes and clothing.  The Merck Manual has a detailed list of common allergens that irritate the skin. Taking your reading glasses along and reading product labels when you shop will help.