« Back to Inflammatory Disorders

Dermatitis (Eczema)

»	What is dermatitis and why is it so important?
»	What is atopy?
»	Why is atopic dermatitis becoming more common?
»	What are the diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis?
»	What is the underlying defect in patients with atopic dermatitis?
»	In atopic dermatitis, which comes first - the itch or the rash?
»	Why does atopic dermatitis itch?
»	Why do people like to scratch an itch?
»	Does psychological stress worsen atopic dermatitis?
»	Did John Phillip Sousa write the “Atopic March?”
»	How does atopic dermatitis present at different ages?
»	What physical findings are associated with atopic dermatitis?
»	What factors provoke or exacerbate atopic dermatitis?
»	How can your atopic patients relieve their pruritic agony and discomfort?
»	What is the role of antihistamines in atopic dermatitis?
»	Describe the “two-pajamas treatment.”
»	Is “hand dermatitis” a specific entity?
»	What is pompholyx?
»	How can pompholyx be managed?
»	Describe the typical presentation of nummular eczema.
»	What causes nummular eczema?
»	Is there a cure for nummular eczema?
»	How does seborrheic dermatitis present in children?
»	How does seborrheic dermatitis present in adults?
»	What causes seborrheic dermatitis, and with what disease states is it commonly found?
»	Discuss the treatment approaches to seborrheic dermatitis.
»	What is an “id” reaction, and what does it have to do with Sigmund Freud?
»	What are the most common settings for an id reaction and how should you treat it?
»	What do you call dermatitis that covers virtually the whole cutaneous surface?
»	How can you determine the cause of a patient’s exfoliative dermatitis?
»	What general treatment measures are used to treat patients with exfoliative dermatitis?

How can you determine the cause of a patient’s exfoliative dermatitis?

History and skin biopsy are the two most helpful aids. Lymph node biopsy helps rule out lymphoma. In many cases, the underlying cause is never established. Of a total of 746 patients, dermatitis was due to
• Idiopathic (causes not determined) (25%)
• Dermatitis (24%)
• Atopic (9%)
• Contact (6%)
• Seborrheic (4%)
• Chronic actinic dermatitis (3%)
• Other (2%)
• Psoriasis (20%)
• Drug reactions (19%)
• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (8%)
• Other rare causes (4%)