Dermatitis Treatment in Sacramento | Granite Bay with Dr. Scott Hearth
Maintaining healthy skin takes a lifetime of commitment. Dermatitis is a common skin irritation that can cause uncomfortable inflammation, rashes, dry skin, and itchiness that can range from mild to severe. While it is not contagious, dermatitis can cause discomfort and sometimes embarrassment.
With multiple causes for dermatitis and many available treatment options, it’s important to seek medical care from a board-certified dermatologist before the condition becomes severe. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Scott Hearth and the experts at Granite Bay Dermatology & Laser Center will work to develop a treatment plan tailored to address all types of dermatitis to restore your skin’s health.
Contact Granite Bay Dermatology & Laser Center at (916) 773-3376 or complete our online form to schedule your dermatitis consultation today!
What Is Dermatitis?
Dermatitis is a generic term for various common irritations that can involve rashes and itchy, dry skin. During a dermatitis flare-up, your skin may blister, ooze, crust, or flake. Common types of dermatitis include atopic dermatitis—also called eczema—contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Often, regularly moisturizing the skin helps control symptoms. Treatments may include medicated topical ointments, creams, or shampoos. It’s crucial to seek effective solutions for dermatitis, as scratching can cause open sores that can become infected. Skin infections have the possibility of spreading and run the risk of becoming severe.
To get your dermatitis under control, it’s crucial to determine its cause. During your visit to Granite Bay Dermatology & Laser Center, Dr. Hearth will take the time to listen to your concerns and conduct the necessary tests to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment option.
In patients with darker skin tones, dermatitis may cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. Changes in skin color may take months or years to return to normal.
While different types of dermatitis typically occur on specific parts of the body, they can share signs and symptoms, including:
- Itchy skin
- Dry skin
- Thickened skin
- Rash that varies in color, depending on your skin tone
- Blisters, with or without oozing or crusting
- Flaking skin or dandruff
- Bumpy hair follicles
Types of Dermatitis
Dermatitis can take several forms. While dermatitis isn’t contagious, it can be uncomfortable. Each type of dermatitis has a different treatment.
Atopic Dermatitis or Eczema
Eczema describes many conditions that usually cause dry, irritated, and itchy skin. It is common and can occur at any age. With eczema, the skin barrier dries, causing microscopic cracks. Without treatment, these cracks can worsen, become inflamed, and result in redness, scaliness, and irritation. Eczema therapy consists of treating acute flares and maintenance treatments for long-term control.
Typically, eczema treatment methods include:
- Topical treatments, including cortisone, immune modifiers, or anti-inflammatory medications
- Systemic treatment, if necessary, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or antihistamines
- Ultraviolet light therapy
- Emollients
- Avoiding environmental triggers
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis occurs when your skin touches a substance that causes irritation or an allergic reaction. Common examples are perfumes, lotions, jewelry containing nickel, or plants like poison ivy. Other causes may include stress, genetics, dry skin, viral or bacterial infections, or immune system issues.
Rashes from contact dermatitis may develop within minutes to hours from exposure. They can last up to two to four weeks.
Symptoms can vary widely by patient and may include:
- Itchy rash
- Swelling, burning, or tenderness
- Bumps or blisters, with or without oozing or crusting
- Dry, cracked, or scaly skin, particularly on lighter skin tones
- Leathery patches that are unusually dark or hyperpigmented, especially on darker skin tones
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis typically affects the scalp and causes stubborn dandruff, scaly patches, and inflamed skin. Other names include seborrheic eczema, seborrheic psoriasis, or cradle cap (in infants).
It can also impact areas of the body that tend to be oily, including the face, nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids, and chest. Seborrheic dermatitis is not the result of poor hygiene, and it typically does not cause permanent hair loss.
This condition may clear up without treatment; however, if it persists, you may require medicated shampoos or other products for long-term use to prevent flares.
Often, seborrheic dermatitis symptoms flare with stress, fatigue, or changing weather/seasons, and can include:
- Flaking skin on the scalp, eyebrows, beard, or mustache
- Oily skin patches covered with flaky white or yellow scales in multiple areas, including the scalp, face, nose, eyebrows, ears, eyelids, chest, armpits, groin, or under the breasts
- Rashes
- Itching
Risk Factors and Preventing Dermatitis in Roseville, CA
The best way to treat dermatitis is by doing what you can to prevent it from occurring. Unfortunately, dermatitis can affect patients at any age and for various reasons.
Some conditions may put you at a higher risk of developing dermatitis.
- If you have a family or personal history of allergies or asthma, you may be more prone to developing dermatitis.
- Patients with health conditions, such as congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, or HIV/AIDS, are more likely to develop one or more types of dermatitis.
- Lifestyle choices or occupations that involve handling solvents, cleaners, or metals may increase your risk of developing dermatitis.
Here are a few tips to help you avoid dermatitis.
- Wear protective clothing when performing tasks involving chemicals or irritants.
- Apply moisturizer regularly. After bathing, seal in moisture with unscented oils, creams, or lotions.
- Avoid dry skin by limiting baths or showers to five to 10 minutes and use lukewarm, rather than hot, water.
- Use gentle cleansers rather than soaps, which can be drying.
- Dry your skin by gently patting, not rubbing.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dermatitis Treatment?
Dermatitis can affect anyone at any age. While it isn’t contagious, dermatitis can be irritating or even embarrassing. It’s important to see a dermatologist to ensure it doesn’t become a more severe issue.
Dr. Hearth suggests scheduling an appointment if:
- Your skin becomes uncomfortable and keeps you from sleep or interrupts your daily routine
- Your rash becomes painful, infected, or you develop a fever
- Your rash spreads suddenly or is all over your body
- Your symptoms persist, even though you’ve taken self-care steps
Meet The Expert
Scott B. Hearth, MD, FAAD
Combining his medical knowledge, injection skills and artistic taste for beauty, Dr. Hearth’s priority is to understand his patients’ needs and goals and help them achieve the best results.
Why Choose Dr. Hearth to Treat Your Dermatitis in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento native and board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Scott B. Hearth was fellowship-trained at UC San Francisco. As an expert in medical and cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Hearth has been a recognized leader in the field for more than two decades. By participating in advanced training about the latest innovative treatments, Dr. Hearth strives to ensure the most advanced and effective dermatitis treatments for his patients.
In 2003, Dr. Hearth launched Granite Bay Dermatology & Laser Center as a broad-based dermatology practice to encompass all aspects of dermatology, including general dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and laser surgery. For over a decade, Dr. Hearth has been consecutively voted #1 “Favorite Dermatologist” in the Roseville/Granite Bay Style magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
With considerable experience and expertise, Dr. Hearth and his team at Granite Bay Dermatology & Laser Center are dedicated to preserving the health and beauty of your skin. At Granite Bay Dermatology & Laser Center, we believe patients deserve more than a standard, cookie-cutter approach. We deliver customized dermatitis plans tailored to treat the unique needs of each patient.
With a patient-first approach and various meticulous treatments, Dr. Hearth and his team will take every step to treat your dermatitis and achieve your healthiest skin. By trusting Dr. Hearth and the experts at Granite Bay Dermatology & Laser Center for all your dermatological treatments, you gain a caring and experienced partner dedicated to serving your needs throughout your skin health journey.
Care for Your Skin with Help from Granite Bay Dermatology & Laser Center
At Granite Bay Dermatology & Laser Center, our goal is to help you feel comfortable and confident in your healthy skin. Schedule your consultation by calling (916)773-3376 or completing our online form today.