Dermatitis By Rnpedia.Com

Eczema is a general term for many types of dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. Acne is a different kind of skin disease; pimples are a symptom of acne. Like eczema, psoriasis is a chronic skin disease, but it is caused by a different disorder of the immune system.

Sixty-five percent of patients with atopic dermatitis develop symptoms in the first year of life, and 90 percent develop symptoms before the age of 5. Atopic dermatitis can go into permanent remission by the time a child reaches adulthood. In about 60 percent of cases, however, it continues into adulthood. Occasionally, it shows up for the first time later in life. In adults, atopic dermatitis can show up after the skin is exposed to harsh conditions.

The nurse should prevent the infant with atopic dermatitis (eczema) from scratching, which can lead to skin infections. Answer B is incorrect because fever is not associated with atopic dermatitis. Answers C and D are incorrect because they increase dryness of the skin, which worsens the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

It cycles through periods of flares and remissions .
When the condition worsens, that period is called a flare or exacerbation. When it improves or clears up entirely, that period is called a remission. In some people, this cycle of flares and remissions may be seasonal.

Contact dermatitis is caused by exposure to a physical or chemical allergen, such as cleaning products, skin care products, and latex gloves. Initial symptoms of itching, erythema, and raised papules occur at the site of the exposure and can begin within 1 hour of exposure. Allergic reactions tend to be red and not scaly or flaky. Weeping, crusting lesions are also uncommon unless the reaction is quite severe or has been present for a long time. Excoriation is more common in skin disorders associated with a moist environment.

When applying a topical agent, the nurse should begin at the midline and use long, even, outward, and downward strokes in the direction of hair growth. This application pattern reduces the risk of follicle irritation and skin inflammation.

The addition of new foods to the infant''s diet may be a cause of diaper dermatitis.

To prevent eye discomfort, the client must protect the eyes for 48 hours after taking medication for photochemotherapy. Protecting the eyes for a shorter period increases the risk of eye injury.

A potent topical corticosteroid may increase the client’s risk for injury because it may be absorbed percutaneously, causing the same adverse effects as systemic corticosteroids. Topical corticosteroids aren’t involved in significant drug interactions. These preparations cause vasoconstriction, not vasodilation. A potent topical corticosteroid rarely is prescribed for use on the face, neck, or intertriginous sites because application on these areas may lead to increased adverse effects.

Topical agents produce a localized, rather than systemic effect. When treating atopic dermatitis with a steroidal preparation, the site is vulnerable to invasion by organisms. Viruses, such as herpes simplex or varicella-zoster, present a risk of disseminated infection. Educate the patient using topical corticosteroids to avoid crowds or people known to have infections and to report even minor signs of an infection. Topical corticosteroid usage results in little danger of concurrent infection with these agents.

The area of skin demonstrating angioneurotic edema may appear normal but often has a reddish hue and does not pit.

Today, medical experts know stress can make the disease worse, but stress does not cause it. Atopic dermatitis appears to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is not contagious and can't be passed from one person to another.