Introduction
The skin encloses and provides protection to other body organs. This situation makes it susceptible to various physical and biological changes that occur in the environments in which individuals inhabit. Contact dermatitis and allergic rhinitis are conditions that lead to skin hypersensitivity. Their occurrence is mainly due to contact of the skin with certain environmental agents that cause irritation and/or inflammation. This essay provides a comparison and contrast between contact dermatitis and allergic rhinitis.
Comparison and Contrast between Contact Dermatitis and Allergic Rhinitis
Streit and Braathen (2001) define contact dermatitis as an eczematous skin response that is caused by irritants or allergens. However, the likelihood of experiencing the skin condition depends on the duration of exposure to the irritant. This condition results in destruction of the stratum corneum, a surface layer that offers protection to the inner echelons of the skin. In cases where the condition results from exposure to allergens, it is known as allergic contact dermatitis (Streit & Braathen, 2001). On the other hand, allergic rhinitis refers to soreness of the nasal mucosa (the inner skin of the nose). Krouse and Krouse (2014) reveal that the condition is caused by allergens such as animal skin fragments, pollen, powder, and dust among other fine particles that penetrate the nasal cavity.
Causes and Pathophysiological Difference between Contact Dermatitis and Ig (immunoglobulin) E-Mediated (IgE) Dermatitis (Atopic)
Nagtegaal, Pentinga, Kuik, Kezic, and Rustemeyer (2012) reveal that various pathophysiological differences exist between allergic contact and IgE mediated dermatitis. At the outset, allergic contact dermatitis is caused by shifting composition of CD4+, CD8+T, T(NKT), and T cells. Haptens such as synthetic composites, drugs, and dyes among others combine with skin proteins. This situation leads to skin hypersensitivity. Mori et al. (2010) posits that Langerhans cells also influence the progression of contact dermatitis through enhancing the immunity of an individual against the infection. On the other hand, IgE mediated dermatitis is a hypersensitivity response of the skin that involves a multifaceted etiological process (Mori et al., 2010). Unlike contact dermatitis, IgE or atopic hypersensitivity results from immune dysregulation by the Langerhans cells. Immune imbalance is also caused by swelling dendritic epidermal and mast cells, keratinocytes, and monocytes among other elements that result in accumulation of Th2 cytokines, which implies an amplified number of IL-4 (interleukin 4), IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 cells (Mori et al., 2010). This situation decreases Th1 cells such as IL-2 and interferon-y that are crucial for immune regulation (Nagtegaal et al. 2012).
Signs and Symptoms
Contact dermatitis is characterized by itchiness and soreness of the skin. On the other hand, atopic (IgE) dermatitis is a prolonged condition that has different degrees of severity depending on factors such as age and exposure to allergic environmental factors. It develops since the young age of an individual until they reach adulthood. At every age bracket, the disease affects a different area of the skin. However, the most common symptoms are skin fissures, pruritus, and development of lichens. In adults, chronic IgE type dermatitis can result in incapacitation of the patient (Krouse and Krouse, 2014). Allergic rhinitis reveals through colds, frequent and irresistible sneezing, jammed or runny nasal passage, and itchiness, especially around the nose. Victims of this condition usually exhibit the symptoms when they are exposed to allergens. Krouse and Krouse (2014) reveal that some severe symptoms can lead to sleeplessness and hindrance of daily routines.
Conclusion
Mostly, the aforementioned diseases are inherited. Therefore, patients should be sensitized to ways that enable them to reduce exposure to allergens and irritants. This situation can reduce severity and protect the skin from scaling and fissuring. Patients have to take adequate fluids that are non-allergens to remain hydrated. Furthermore, they should apply skin supplements such as emollients to increase hydration of the stratum corneum. This situation enhances the lipid barrier; hence, it reduces the prevalence of the conditions.
Reference List
Mori, T., Ishida, K., Mukumoto, S., Yamada, Y., Imokawa, G., Kabashima, K.,…Tokura, Y. (2010). Comparison of skin barrier function and sensory nerve electric current perception threshold between IgE-high extrinsic and IgE-normal intrinsic types of atopic dermatitis. British Journal of Dermatology, 162(1), 83-90.
Nagtegaal, M., Pentinga, S., Kuik, J., Kezic, S., & Rustemeyer, T. (2012). The role of the skin irritation response in polysensitization to fragrances. Contact Dermatitis, 67(1), pp. 28-35.
Krouse, H., & Krouse, J. (2014). Allergic rhinitis: Diagnosis through management. The Nurse Practitioner, 39(4), pp. 20-8.
Streit, M., & Braathen, L. (2001). Contact dermatitis: clinics and pathology. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 59(5), 309-14.