The term "dermatitis epidemica" is a medical condition that refers to a severe outbreak of skin inflammation. In terms of phonetic spelling, "dermatitis epidemica" is pronounced as /dərˈmeɪtɪtɪs ˌɛpəˈdiːmɪkə/. The word consists of two parts: "dermatitis" (/dərˈmeɪtɪtɪs/), which refers to skin inflammation, and "epidemica" (/ˌɛpɪdɛˈmiːkə/), which relates to the spreading of a disease across a large-scale area. This pronunciation and spelling of the word provide an accurate description of the medical condition that it identifies.
Dermatitis epidemica, also known as epidemic dermatitis or toxicodermatitis, is a medical condition characterized by the inflammation and irritation of the skin. It is a type of contact dermatitis that occurs as a widespread outbreak or epidemic, often affecting a large number of individuals within a specific geographic location or community.
The condition is typically caused by exposure to certain irritants or allergens, such as chemicals, plants, or infectious agents. These substances trigger an immune response in the skin, leading to the development of redness, itching, swelling, and sometimes blisters or oozing of fluid.
Dermatitis epidemica often spreads rapidly from person to person through direct contact or sharing of contaminated objects, as well as through airborne transmission in some cases. It can affect people of all ages and genders, although certain populations may be more susceptible due to factors like pre-existing skin conditions, weakened immune systems, or occupational exposure.
Treatment for dermatitis epidemica primarily focuses on relieving symptoms and identifying and avoiding the causative agent. This may include the use of topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, antihistamines to alleviate itching, and emollients to moisturize the skin. In severe cases, oral corticosteroids or other systemic medications may be prescribed.
Preventive measures such as proper hygiene, avoiding known triggers, using protective clothing or equipment, and practicing good hand hygiene can help reduce the risk of developing dermatitis epidemica. Prompt medical attention is crucial to accurately diagnose the condition and prevent its spread.
Savills disease, an acute contagious disease marked by a vesicular dermatitis followed by desquamation; it is accompanied with more or less severe constitutional symptoms, conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, and enlargement of the cervical glands; it may terminate fatally especially when attacking the old and infirm.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "dermatitis epidemica" is not commonly used in medical terminology. However, if you meant to ask about the etymology of "dermatitis" in general, it derives from the Greek words "derma" meaning "skin" and "itis" meaning "inflammation". The term refers to the inflammation of the skin.
As for "epidemica", it typically relates to something epidemic or widespread in nature. In medical terminology, it usually denotes a disease or condition that affects a large number of individuals within a particular population or geographic area.