Actinic dermatitis, resulting from exposure of the skin to the active sun or artificial sources of ultraviolet or ionizing radiation, is dangerous by the transition to the chronic stage and the development of complications. Sunburn and radiation damage to the skin can cause extensive necrotic skin lesions requiring the intervention of a plastic surgeon, as well as provoke the development of malignant tumors. Timely assistance to a patient with an acute form of actinic dermatitis will prevent the development of complications.
Actinic dermatitis in a chronic form is characteristic of people of those professions who spend a lot of time outdoors and are exposed to active solar radiation, as well as workers whose profession is associated with exposure to the skin of various types of radiation (especially in the metallurgical industry) – welders, workers of smelting and foundry shops. Actinic dermatitis can also be diagnosed by radiologists.
Forms and symptoms of development of actinic dermatitis
Actinic dermatitis can occur in acute and chronic forms. The acute form is characterized by the presence of a latent period, and in the case of a sunburn of the skin, it can be several hours, and in case of radiation damage to the skin – it can manifest itself in a day, and even in a month.
If actinic dermatitis is caused by active sun, it has the following typical manifestations:
- redness and swelling of the skin;
- itching, burning and pain in the place of sunburn;
- nausea, sometimes vomiting;
- fever, general weakness.
As a rule, later on the skin appears either large lamellar peeling or (with severe sunburn) – serous blisters of different sizes, on the site of which, after opening, erosion can form.
In the chronic form of actinic dermatitis provoked by the sun, the skin on exposed areas of the body acquires a bronze tint with red plaques, thickens visibly and becomes very dry.
In the case of actinic dermatitis, which has developed due to exposure to artificial sources of radiation, the skin symptoms are similar, but damage to the cornea and mucous membrane of the eyes is often added, as well as symptoms of general intoxication of the body.
When actinic dermatitis is caused by radiation damage to the skin, the acute form of the disease develops in three stages:
- erymatous – the skin turns red, swollen and sore, sometimes covered with petechial hemorrhages;
- bullous – the pain increases, large blisters appear with thick skin on the surface, after opening of which erosion and scarring can form;
- necrotic – high fever, sleep disturbance, severe pain, poorly healing skin ulcers.
When turning into a chronic form, actinic dermatitis caused by radiation injury leads to thinning of the skin and loss of elasticity, it can be covered with cracks, warty growths, areas of hyperkeratosis appear on it.
Treatment of actinic dermatosis and possible complications
Treatment of acute actinic dermatosis is symptomatic – cooling lotions, remedies for sunburn, drugs that relieve itching and pain, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes. In case of suppuration of the blisters, the appointment of antibacterial agents and disinfectant ointments is recommended. With radiation damage to the skin and the development of actinic dermatosis, corticosteroids are used already at the first stage of the disease. In cases of extensive necrosis, the assistance of a plastic surgeon and transplantation of skin flaps to close the defects is possible.
Inflamed plaques on the skin in chronic form of actinic dermatitis, a also areas of overgrowth and hyperkeratosis can cause skin cancer.
Prophylactic recommendations for patients are usually avoiding exposure to the active sun, wearing tight clothing, observing safety precautions when working in rooms with active sources of ultraviolet and radiation.
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