Eczema / Dermatitis
Dermatitis and rashes can be a major quality of life issue for people. The rashes from atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, psoriasis, or urticaria can be so painful, itchy and irritating that people have difficulty sleeping or engaging in some everyday activities. At Georgia Skin Specialists, our board-certified dermatologists can diagnose these types of rashes and design a unique course of treatment to help you overcome these health problems.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Eczema, aka Atopic Dermatitis, is caused by increased activity in the allergic part of the immune system. It is often genetic and sometimes accompanied by asthma and seasonal allergies. Eczema can negatively impact quality of life by disrupting sleep. Many kids with eczema struggle to focus in school due to distracting itching and discomfort. Symptoms of eczema include an extremely itchy, red rash; raised crusty patches on the skin; cracked or dry skin; and discoloration. Eczema can flare up due to stress, contact with irritants like harsh laundry detergent or soaps, or other environmental exposures.
Our board-certified dermatologists at Georgia Skin Specialists are experts in diagnosing and managing eczema/atopic dermatitis. With proper treatment, symptoms can be made more manageable and quality of life greatly improved.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
As the name suggests, this type of dermatitis occurs when a person comes in contact with an allergen. Allergens are frequently things like fragrance and preservatives present in personal care products that are usually considered safe, but over time have triggered an immune response. Suddenly, touching your favorite perfume is akin to rubbing poison ivy on your skin. Patients with allergic contact dermatitis experience red, itchy, swollen, and sometimes blistering rashes in the areas that contacted the allergen itself. Eyelids and hands are common sites affected by allergic contact dermatitis, but it can occur anywhere on the body.
A big part of treating allergic contact dermatitis involves figuring out what triggers the condition. Our providers perform allergy skin testing to determine the cause of the allergic contact dermatitis and educate patients on how to avoid specific allergens to keep them itch and rash free.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that causes red, scaly plaques to appear on the skin. It commonly affects the knees, elbows, and scalp, but some types cause itchy rashes in the underarms and genital areas and it can cause nail changes. In some patients, psoriasis impacts the joints and causes psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory arthritis that progresses and causes irreversible damage if not caught and treated.
There are many exciting systemic and topical treatments available for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our Dermatologists at Georgia Skin Specialists work closely with patients with psoriasis to develop safe and effective treatment plan to get and keep this chronic condition under control.
Urticaria / Hives
There are two different types of hives that dermatologists can diagnose and treat: acute urticaria and chronic urticaria. Acute urticaria lasts less than 6 weeks and usually resolves on its own; the acute form can actually dissipate within 24 hours. Chronic urticaria is more serious, because the hives outbreak lasts longer than 6 weeks. Hives are characterized by red or white spots on the skin that can be a few centimeters in diameter, or which can cover large patches of skin.
Urticaria can sometimes be triggered by an allergic reaction. A dermatologist will work with patients to identify environmental or dietary triggers, so those can be avoided to reduce the chance of outbreaks. Treatment methods can vary based on what triggers an individual patient’s hives. In some people, direct sunlight can cause hives; in others, contact with cold water can trigger them. Oral antihistamines are often prescribed to help reduce symptoms and clear the problem.
Contact Georgia Skin Specialists for Eczema, Allergic Contact Dermatitis, and Rash Treatments
If you suffer from any type of dermatitis, rash, or condition that affects the quality of your skin, hair or nails, call us to schedule an appointment or click below to book online.