A young woman at the age of 19 bought a new, impressive earrings and a necklace, which included nickel. After a short time of wearing on the ear flaps and on the neck, erythema appeared and numerous lumps and exudative vesicles appeared beneath the skin. Then exudate and skin erosions appeared. Diagnosis by an allergist - allergy to nickel. The picture of the jewelry eliminated the symptoms of sensitization.
Case 2.
A 35-year-old man working for a dozen or so years in the profession of bricklayer said one day after work, erythematous eruption on his hands. In the following days numerous bubbles with exudation symptoms appeared on the surface of the hands. After being examined by a dermatologist, the diagnosis was - an allergic contact eczema. After performing epidermal tests, the man was detected allergic to chromium, which is particularly high in cement, which he touched almost every day.
What substances cause eczema?
Contact eczema, commonly known as eczema, is a skin condition caused by contact with external sensitizing substances or irritants. Sensitizing substances are so-called contact allergens (also known as antigens) that cause allergic contact eczema. Irritant substances are usually cleaning products, soaps, detergents, etc. Symptoms of both diseases are similar - the skin as a result of their interaction becomes red, thickened and peels off. During exacerbations, subcutaneous papules or vesicles filled with serum are visible. In acute lesions there is increased erythema, bubbles break, giving exudation and erosion.
Are there differences between eczema "from irritation" and allergy to allergens?
Yes. for the first time - the allergen does not damage the skin, but naturally penetrates the system through the airways or along with the food. Contact eczema with irritation causes substances that damage the lipid-acid protective skin (cleaning agents, detergents from meds and shampoos, metal particles, toxins deposited on the skin, etc.). Damage to the skin cover allows easier penetration of other irritants to the tissues, and at the same time can immediately trigger inflammation. Therefore, the occurrence of skin symptoms can affect everyone and depends only on the frequency and intensity of the irritant and its duration. This commonness of the threat of ailment, which is eczema from irritation, is the first fundamental difference between diseases. The second is the higher frequency of irritative eczema recurrences. It reappears not only after contact with the original cause, but also under the influence of many other irritants. In contrast, allergic contact dermatitis usually causes a specific allergen (due to the protein structure also called the medical term - antigen). Therefore, knowing the list of the most sensitizing substances, it is easier to identify and eliminate them.
What is the mechanism of contact allergy?
The disease is immunologic and is associated with hypersensitivity to the so-called small molecule chemical substances. These substances - some antibiotics (in the form of medicinal ointments), certain metals with which the body comes into contact (most often nickel, chromium), some cosmetics, detergents, etc., combine conservatively with skin proteins. The resulting complexes are poorly tolerated by the body, which recognizes them as antigens. Then, T lymphocytes recognize the antigen, bind to it with specific receptors and initiate the process of eradication. These thymic-dependent lymphocytes produce a population of so-called allergen when contacted with an allergen. T lymphocytes - allergic to a specific allergen-skin protein complex.This type of sensitized lymphocytes is responsible for the disease symptoms. The above mechanism of allergy formation is called "cellular" or "delayed".
After what time and where are the disease symptoms?
Allergic contact eczema usually occurs at the site of contact with a sensitizing substance, but with a delay (against eczema from irritation). Dermatological symptoms appear no earlier than on the second day; usually after 2-3 days. The skin becomes red, itchy, often causes blisters or exudative bumps. The severity of changes is greatest at the place of contact with the sensitizer, but their location may vary.
In what age are we the most often?
The incidence of contact dermatitis in adults is higher than in children and the elderly.
What causes eczema?
There are several thousand chemicals that can cause contact dermatitis. However, the most common reason for sensitization is:
Metals: chrome, nickel, (less often: cobalt, mercury, gold).
Chemical substances: rubber components, dyes, epoxy resins.
Drugs used externally: antibiotics (neomycin, gentamycin, detreromycin), wioforms, putty, balsam peruvian, corticosteroids.
Cosmetics: mixtures of synthetic aromas, essential oils, rosin, preservatives.
cd - metals that cause eczema
Chemical compounds that cause eczema
Treatment of eczema
