Cracked area around chin

Dryness and cracking around the chin may be caused by dermatitis. It is impossible to accurately determine whether it is caused by dermatitis based on simple dryness and cracking. We can first understand the condition of dermatitis, and then make a comprehensive judgment based on our own situation, so that we can make a preliminary judgment. Never use medicine indiscriminately without understanding the situation clearly. The easiest way is to go to a pharmacy for consultation.

Dermatitis is a general term for inflammatory skin diseases caused by various internal and external infections or non-infectious factors. It is not an independent disease. Its etiology and clinical manifestations are complex and diverse, and it recurs repeatedly, making clinical treatment more difficult. The concept and classification of dermatitis and eczema has always been a controversial issue in the dermatology academic community. In the past, the two were used as synonyms without strict distinction. For example, some people also called atopic dermatitis atopic eczema. Most people now believe that dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin, such as contact sensitization, skin infection, etc., while eczema refers specifically to certain non-infectious inflammations. At the same time, those with relatively clear pathogenesis or clinical characteristics are called "such and such dermatitis", while those whose cause is not yet clear are generally diagnosed as "eczema". The International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 includes more than 20 diseases in the chapter on dermatitis and eczema, including contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, etc. Clinically, a specific dermatitis is often defined as a certain dermatitis based on the cause, site of onset or other clinical characteristics. For example, dermatitis caused by contact with a certain substance is called contact dermatitis, and dermatitis caused by internal medication is called drug-induced dermatitis. Eczema is a temporary concept. Once the cause is identified, the eczema should be diagnosed as a certain dermatitis instead of eczema.

The clinical manifestations of dermatitis and eczema are diverse and can usually be divided into three types of skin lesions: acute, subacute and chronic.

1. Acute phase

It manifests as erythema and edema, which may be accompanied by papules, papular rashes, blisters or erosions and exudation. The center of the lesion is often heavier and gradually spreads to the periphery. The pathological manifestations are edema between epidermal cells, sponge formation, and blisters within the epidermis.

2. Subacute phase

Blisters, redness, swelling and exudation decrease, and crusting and desquamation appear.

3. Chronic stage

The skin is mainly rough, thickened and leathery, with moss-like changes, which may be accompanied by pigmentation or hypopigmentation. Histopathologically, the epidermis is thickened, the acanthus layer is thickened, and there is lymphocytic infiltration of the dermal papillae. Hand and foot eczema may be accompanied by nail changes. The rash is generally distributed symmetrically and often recurs. The subjective symptoms are itching, even severe itching.

There is often no clear boundary between the three stages mentioned above. Some patients may experience all three stages at the same time, and some dermatitis does not necessarily have to go through all three stages. The above clinical staging does not indicate the cause or pathogenesis. Based on the cause, site of onset and clinical characteristics, dermatitis that can be classified and diagnosed can be called classified dermatitis (eczema), such as congestive dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, etc.; those that have the clinical characteristics of dermatitis and eczema but cannot be further classified are called unclassified eczema (Table 1). Different types of dermatitis and eczema each have relatively specific clinical characteristics.