Dermatitis

• Description: Dermatitis is an umbrella term for skin inflammation. It encompasses various conditions characterized by itching, redness, and skin irritation.  
• Diagnostic Criteria: Diagnosis is primarily clinical, based on a thorough history and physical examination. Key features include:
  • Itching: Often the most prominent symptom.
  • Redness: Affected areas appear red or inflamed.  
  • Skin changes: May include dryness, scaling, blistering, oozing, or thickening of the skin.  
  • Distribution: The location and pattern of the rash can provide clues to the underlying cause (e.g., contact dermatitis often occurs in areas exposed to irritants).  

   
• Treatment Modalities: Treatment varies depending on the specific type of dermatitis and its severity. Common approaches include:
  • Moisturizers: Essential for all types of dermatitis to hydrate the skin and relieve dryness.  
  • Topical corticosteroids: Reduce inflammation and itching.  
  • Antihistamines: Alleviate itching.  
  • Calcineurin inhibitors: Immunosuppressant creams that can be effective for certain types of dermatitis.  
  • Phototherapy: Exposure to ultraviolet light can help improve symptoms in some cases.  
  • Identifying and avoiding triggers: Identifying and avoiding irritants or allergens is crucial for managing dermatitis.  

   

Conjunctivitis and Otitis Media: Drug Therapy

• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye):
  • Bacterial: Typically treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment (e.g., erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin).
  • Viral: Usually resolves on its own within a few days. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with artificial tears, cool compresses, and over-the-counter pain relievers.  
• Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection):
  • Antibiotics: First-line treatment for bacterial otitis media. Common choices include amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and azithromycin.  
  • Pain management: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and ear pain.  

Herpes Virus Infections

• Overview: Herpesviruses are a family of DNA viruses that cause various infections in humans. Common examples include:
  • Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2): Causes cold sores, genital herpes.  
  • Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV): Causes chickenpox and shingles.  
  • Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): Causes infectious mononucleosi