Skin Diseases and Spring: Is There a Correlation?

The arrival of spring and the first blooms cause, in genetically predisposed individuals, the triggering of allergic reactions that can affect multiple organs and cause dermatitis, in addition to the well-known rhinitis and conjunctivitis.

Does Spring Facilitate the Onset of Dermatitis?

Allergic dermatitis is a disorder that typically worsens in fall. However, this does rule out that patients already suffering from allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis may also be genetically predisposed to develop skin inflammation.

What Are the Symptoms of Dermatitis?

The word dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. Allergic contact dermatitis means dermatitis that occurs in predisposed people due to contact with so-called allergens. 

Its symptoms are the formation of erythematous, dry, and scaling lesions – that produce severe itching – in the spot where contact with the allergic substance occurred. Typically, this type of dermatitis occurs at a defined, often symmetrical body site. It is usually on the hands or face but could also affect the torso or limbs. It can occur at any age but is more common in adulthood.

How Can Dermatitis Be Diagnosed and Kept Under Control?

The diagnosis is made by the dermatologist. After having diagnosed the condition, it is often useless to identify its cause. This is the case, for example, with atopic dermatitis, a genetic predisposition that can be treated but not cured. 

The situation is different, however, for allergic contact dermatitis. In this case, there are various methods to test specific allergens. The most commonly used technique is patch testing, which involves applying special patches on the back that contain allergens called haptens. After at least 48 hours, these patches can indicate which substances the patient is allergic to. Once the allergen has been identified, it is a matter of identifying and avoiding all situations involving contact with it.