Four Seasons Pharmacist says: The skin becomes unexplained red and itchy in spring...it turns out that allergic dermatitis is to blame!

There are often such people around us. Whenever spring comes and flowers bloom, the comfortable spring days become their "trouble season" - red spots, rashes or inexplicable itching appear on their faces and bodies, which not only affect their "beauty", but also bring endless troubles to their work, study, life and even sleep. The root of this trouble is "allergic dermatitis".

What is atopic dermatitis?

Allergic dermatitis is a general term for allergy-related inflammatory skin diseases, which refers to the skin inflammatory reaction caused by the stimulation of allergens. This inflammatory reaction is mainly a type I allergic reaction mediated by IgE. Mild symptoms include skin erythema, swelling, papules accompanied by itching, while severe symptoms can lead to skin ulceration, exudation and even erosion. If not treated in time, secondary infection may occur due to repeated scratching by the patient.

What are the common allergens?

There are many allergens that cause allergic dermatitis, the most common ones include pollen, food (such as milk, eggs, soybeans, wheat, peanuts, fish, shrimp, nuts), inhalants (dust, animal fur, mites, etc.), ultraviolet rays, cosmetics, medicines, etc.

Why is allergic dermatitis more common in spring?

In spring, the number of allergens increases, dust is mixed in the wind, catkins are floating in the air, and pollen is scattered everywhere, which can easily cause allergic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and other allergic diseases. In addition, the temperature difference between morning and evening in spring is large, and the alternation of cold and warm air is frequent, which can easily damage the skin barrier and cause allergies.

What should I do if I have allergic dermatitis?

Combating allergic dermatitis requires a combination of prevention and treatment, including environmental control and drug treatment.

1. Environmental Control

Allergic diseases are the result of the combined effects of genetic and environmental factors. Good environmental control of susceptible people, so that they can isolate allergens in the environment and reduce irritants, is an important means of preventing and treating allergic diseases. Therefore, in life, we should try to avoid or reduce contact with relevant allergens that can induce dermatitis, do a good job of daily skin moisturizing, avoid external stimuli such as hot water washing and severe scratching, avoid mental stress and excessive fatigue, and have a regular daily routine. We can appropriately increase physical exercise to promote physical and mental health and enhance resistance.

2. Medication

Drug therapy is a common treatment for allergic dermatitis, including topical medications and oral medications.

—— Topical medications ——

Topical medications include glucocorticoid ointments, calamine lotion, etc., which can relieve symptoms of itching and redness, but attention should be paid to the side effects of the drugs. Drugs are graded according to their topical strength (see the table below). Medium- and weak-strength glucocorticoids can be used for short-term use on the face, neck, and wrinkles, medium- and strong-strength glucocorticoids can be used on the limbs and trunk, and super-strength hormones can be used on the palms and soles.

Strength classification of commonly used topical hormones

—— Oral medication ——

Antihistamines are also an important class of drugs for the treatment of allergic skin diseases. Antihistamines have many years of clinical application experience. The main mechanism of action is to block H₁ receptors. They also have a good effect on acute allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. For patients with obvious itching or sleep disorders, first-generation or second-generation antihistamines can be tried. Because first-generation antihistamines affect sleep quality (delayed and reduced rapid eye movement) and learning and cognitive abilities, long-term use is not recommended, especially for children. Second-generation antihistamines (such as loratadine and cetirizine) are more difficult to pass through the blood-brain barrier and have less sedative effects. However, it should be noted that antihistamines have side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and weight gain. During medication, you are not allowed to drive a plane, car, or boat, engage in high-altitude operations, mechanical operations, or operate precision instruments.

Identifying allergens and avoiding contact with substances that may trigger allergies can reduce the onset of allergic dermatitis. When the allergens are unclear, correct preventive measures should be taken to reduce the frequency of attacks and thus improve the quality of life.