IRRITANT DERMATITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Irritant dermatitis is a common skin condition characterized by inflammation and irritation of the skin due to exposure to various irritants or chemicals. It is a type of contact dermatitis, which occurs when the skin comes in contact with allergens or irritants that trigger an immune response.
When irritant substances come into contact with the skin, they can disrupt the protective barrier function of the skin, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators and causing redness, itching, and skin irritation. These irritants can include chemicals, detergents, soaps, solvents, acids, alkalis, metals, plants, and certain medications.
The severity of irritant dermatitis can vary depending on the duration and intensity of exposure to the irritant, as well as an individual's skin sensitivity. Common symptoms include redness, dryness, pain, burning sensation, swelling, and blistering of the affected area. In chronic cases, the skin may become thickened, cracked, and scaly.
Preventing irritant dermatitis involves avoiding contact with known irritants and practicing good hygiene, such as using protective gloves when handling chemicals or irritants, moisturizing the skin regularly, and avoiding prolonged exposure to water or wet conditions.
Treatment for irritant dermatitis typically involves avoiding further contact with the irritant, using gentle cleansers and moisturizers, applying corticosteroid creams or ointments to reduce inflammation, and taking oral antihistamines to relieve itching and discomfort. In severe cases, a healthcare professional may prescribe stronger medications or suggest other forms of treatment, such as wet dressings or phototherapy.
Common Misspellings for IRRITANT DERMATITIS
- urritant dermatitis
- jrritant dermatitis
- krritant dermatitis
- orritant dermatitis
- 9rritant dermatitis
- 8rritant dermatitis
- ieritant dermatitis
- idritant dermatitis
- ifritant dermatitis
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- i4ritant dermatitis
- ireitant dermatitis
- irditant dermatitis
- irfitant dermatitis
- irtitant dermatitis
- ir5itant dermatitis
- ir4itant dermatitis
- irrutant dermatitis
- irrjtant dermatitis
Etymology of IRRITANT DERMATITIS
The term "irritant dermatitis" can be broken down into its constituent parts to understand its etymology:
1. Irritant: The word "irritant" comes from the Latin word "irritans", which is the present participle of the verb "irritare", meaning "to provoke" or "to irritate". It entered English around the 17th century.
2. Dermatitis: The word "dermatitis" is derived from the Greek words "derma", meaning "skin", and "-itis", a suffix denoting inflammation. Thus, dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin. "Dermatitis" was coined in the early 19th century.
So, "irritant dermatitis" signifies the inflammation of the skin caused by irritants, such as certain chemicals, physical agents, or allergens that provoke skin irritation.
