Condition Lookup

Contact Dermatitis

Symptoms:
red, itchy rash; blisters or hives; swelling and tenderness; cracking or peeling skin

Root Cause:
Skin reaction caused by direct contact with an irritant or allergen.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Patch testing, clinical history, and identification of exposure to irritants/allergens.

Treatment:
Avoidance of irritants/allergens, topical corticosteroids, antihistamines, and emollients.

Medications:
Topical corticosteroids (e.g., Hydrocortisone , Betamethasone ) and oral antihistamines (e.g., Diphenhydramine , Loratadine ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects up to 20% of the population at some point.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Occupations with frequent exposure to chemicals or irritants, personal or family history of allergies.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Usually resolves upon avoidance of triggers; chronic exposure can lead to persistent symptoms.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary skin infections, chronic dermatitis.

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Skin Allergies

Symptoms:
dry, scaly skin; itching (often severe); red, inflamed patches; crusting or oozing lesions; thickened, leathery skin in chronic cases

Root Cause:
Chronic inflammatory skin condition involving immune dysregulation and a defective skin barrier.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, patient history, exclusion of other skin disorders, and occasionally skin biopsy.

Treatment:
Topical corticosteroids, moisturizers, calcineurin inhibitors, phototherapy, and biologic medications (e.g., dupilumab).

Medications:
Topical corticosteroids (e.g., Hydrocortisone , Triamcinolone ), topical calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., Tacrolimus , Pimecrolimus ), and oral antihistamines (e.g., Cetirizine , Diphenhydramine ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 15-20% of children and 1-3% of adults worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of eczema, asthma, or allergic rhinitis; environmental triggers; stress; low humidity.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; often improves with age in children but may persist or recur in adulthood.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial or viral infections, sleep disturbances, and mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

Urticaria (Hives)

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Skin Allergies

Symptoms:
raised, itchy welts on the skin; red or skin-colored bumps; swelling; flares triggered by allergens or stress

Root Cause:
Histamine release from mast cells due to an allergic or non-allergic trigger.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, patient history, and allergen testing if a trigger is suspected.

Treatment:
Antihistamines, corticosteroids for severe cases, and avoidance of triggers.

Medications:
Non-sedating antihistamines (e.g., Loratadine , Cetirizine , Fexofenadine ), sedating antihistamines (e.g., Diphenhydramine , Hydroxyzine ), and corticosteroids for severe cases (e.g., Prednisone ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 20% of people at some point in their lives.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Allergies, infections, stress, and certain medications or foods.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Acute cases resolve within hours or days; chronic urticaria may last months to years.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Angioedema, anaphylaxis in severe cases.

Angioedema

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Skin Allergies

Symptoms:
swelling of the deeper layers of the skin; often affects lips, eyes, hands, feet, or genitals; can cause throat swelling and breathing difficulties in severe cases

Root Cause:
Increased vascular permeability due to allergic or idiopathic triggers or hereditary factors.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, patient history, allergen testing, and sometimes complement level testing for hereditary forms.

Treatment:
Antihistamines, corticosteroids, epinephrine for severe cases, and C1 inhibitor concentrate for hereditary cases.

Medications:
Oral antihistamines (e.g., Cetirizine , Fexofenadine ), corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone ), and epinephrine for anaphylaxis.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Exact prevalence unknown; hereditary angioedema affects approximately 1 in 50,000 people.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history (hereditary form), allergies, and ACE inhibitors.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; acute cases resolve with treatment, but hereditary forms require ongoing management.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Airway obstruction, asphyxiation in severe cases.

Latex Allergy

Specialty: Allergies and Immunology

Category: Allergic Disorders

Sub-category: Skin Allergies

Symptoms:
itchy skin or hives upon contact with latex; runny nose; sneezing; difficulty breathing; anaphylaxis in severe cases

Root Cause:
Immune system reaction to proteins found in natural rubber latex.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Skin prick test, specific IgE blood test, and clinical history of reactions to latex products.

Treatment:
Avoidance of latex, antihistamines for mild reactions, and epinephrine for anaphylaxis.

Medications:
Epinephrine auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen, Auvi-Q) and oral antihistamines (e.g., Diphenhydramine , Loratadine ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects up to 1-6% of the general population, higher in healthcare workers and those with frequent latex exposure.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Healthcare workers, people with multiple surgeries, or spina bifida.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with strict latex avoidance; severe cases require emergency preparedness for anaphylaxis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Anaphylaxis and cross-reactions with certain foods like bananas, avocados, and kiwis.