Spongiotic Dermatitis - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

What Is Spongiotic Dermatitis?

Different conditions are causing many complications in the skin. Dermatitis is the term widely used for skin inflammation due to various reasons. For instance, the condition known as contact dermatitis results from allergic reactions in the body, which causes skin complications. Spongiotic dermatitis is used when there is fluid build-up between the skin cells, which causes inflammation and many other complications. Depending on the condition, it can be localized to one area of the body or all over it. Thus, spongiotic dermatitis is considered to be a pattern of injury that the skin has during different skin conditions, such as eczema.

What Are the Conditions Associated With Spongiotic Dermatitis?

There are the following types of spongiotic dermatitis:

• Fungal Infections: The skin shows signs of fungal infection.

• Eczema: Eczema causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin and many other complications. This condition can be mild to severe without any cure to it. However, the symptoms can be managed.

• Atopic Dermatitis: Atopic dermatitis causes itchy and inflamed skin. The condition does not have any cure.

• Seborrheic Dermatitis: Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that mainly affects the scalp and causes scaly dandruff.

• Medication Reactions: An adverse effect of the medication can also cause this condition.

• Miliaria: It is a skin condition causing heat or sweat rashes.

• Pityriasis Rosea: It is a condition causing an oval rash on the abdomen, face, chest, or back.

• Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome: It is a rash that appears due to vaccination or viral illness in children.

What Are the Causes of Spongiotic Dermatitis?

Following are the etiological factors associated with spongiotic dermatitis:

• Many allergic reactions can cause these conditions, such as adverse medication effects.

• Chemical allergies can cause these conditions. For instance, some people might have allergic reactions to certain cosmetics or metal jewelry, which can cause this chain of reaction on the skin.

• Due to stress, people might have breakouts on the skin.

• Any changes in the level of hormones can have this complication.

• If a person has constantly changing temperature, it can cause many complicated effects on the skin. Especially fluctuation between dry and humid climates can worsen the condition.

• If a person suffers from excessive sweating.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Spongiotic Dermatitis?

Following are the signs and symptoms associated with spongiotic dermatitis:

• Dry skin.

• Lesions on the skin.

• Dandruff on the scalp.

• Scaly skin.

• Severe itching.

• Rashes.

• Blisters appear after severe itching and rashes. In some cases, these blisters may ooze fluid in severe conditions.

• Due to constant scratching, the skin may appear red and inflamed.

How to Diagnose Spongiotic Dermatitis?

There are the following diagnostic methods used for spongiotic dermatitis:

• Medical History: During this diagnostic step, the dermatologist asks for any allergies, diet, family history, or lifestyle of the patient. All of these conditions play an essential role in this condition.

• Physical Examination: During this diagnostic step, dermatologists check for any physical signs or symptoms related to this condition.

• Biopsy: After taking a history and physical examination of the condition, the dermatologist recommends a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. During this, a sample of the skin or tissue of the affected area is taken and sent for laboratory testing. The laboratory test results show the presence of fluid build-up in the skin, called edema, and the severity of the spongiotic. Moreover, the test results also determine the type of eczematous dermatitis a person has. The following are the type of biopsies that can be done according to the requirement:

  • Excisional Biopsy: It is the type of biopsy used when diagnosing the condition and requires a deeper tissue sample.During this, the sample of the skin is taken using a scalpel.

  • Shave Biopsy: If the diagnosis of the condition only requires testing one or two layers of the skin, this diagnostic method is used. During this, the sample is taken using a razor or razor-like tool.

  • Punch Biopsy: When the skin layers and fat underneath are to be diagnosed, this method is used. During this, the tool known as skin punch is used for taking the sample.

• Patch Test: The dermatologist may recommend this test if the other diagnosis is suggestive of contact dermatitis. During this diagnostic test, the doctor puts a small amount of allergen in the patch and sticks it to the skin. During the next follow-up visit, the doctor checks if the allergen under the patch has caused any allergic reaction to the skin. This test determines the level of allergy and the type of allergy. Doctors might have to repeat the test with different allergens to determine multiple allergies.

What Are the Complications Associated With Spongiotic Dermatitis?

Following are the complications associated with spongiotic dermatitis:

• Cracking of the skin.

• Blisters.

• Skin infections.

• Lichenification(the skin will thicken due to severe itching).

How to Treat Spongiotic Dermatitis?

Spongiotic dermatitis can be managed with the following methods:

• To deal with the allergic reaction causing complications on the skin, antihistamines are given.

• In cases with flares, the steroid can manage the condition.

• To deal with itching and redness, corticosteroids are applied topically.

• People with this condition are advised to use moisturizer daily to keep the skin moist.

• Ultraviolet light therapy has proven to be very effective.

• Adding probiotics to the diet can help with these conditions. The food with probiotics is yogurt, pickles, and kefir.

• If allergic reactions are due to stress, the doctor recommends going for therapy for stress management.

• Wear soft, cotton clothes.

• Avoid skincare products with irritants, such as fragrances or dye.

What Are the Risk Factors Associated With Spongiotic Dermatitis?

Following are the risk factors associated with spongiotic dermatitis:

• If a person has pre-existing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or heart conditions.

• If a person has allergies, especially genetic allergy that runs in the family, it puts them at more risk of this condition.

• If a person has asthma.

• External factors, such as Insect bites, are contributing factors.

• If a person is younger, there are more chances of developing this condition. The study shows that 10 to 20% of children are at risk of getting this condition.

• If a person comes in constant contact with allergic chemicals such as those used in cosmetic or metal jewelry.

Conclusion

Spongiotic dermatitis is a condition causing many complications. With the first sign of this condition, the patients should seek medical attention. Depending on the severity and triggers of it, the dermatologist recommends the medications or the option of prevention. The patients should dedicatedly follow it along with regular follow-ups.