Dermatitis Repens
What do you understand by dermatitis repens?
It is a rare spreading dermatitis starting from an injury, extending by a serous undermining of the epidermis, and usually occurring upon the upper extremities.
It usually begins shortly after an injury, and, as a rule, presents itself by redness and serous exudation. The overlying epidermis breaks, and the area of disease gradually progresses by an extension of the serous undermining process, the denuded part looking red and raw, with usually an oozing surface. As the disease spreads the oldest part becomes dry and heals, the new epidermal covering being thin and atrophic in appearance. Its most usual beginning is on some part of the hand, and from here it may spread up the arm and involve considerable area.
The injury from which it starts may be extremely insignificant, apparently affording an opening for the introduction of the causative factor, doubtless parasitic. Beyond a feeling of soreness there seem to be no special subjective symptoms.
Give the prognosis and treatment.
The malady shows but little tendency to spontaneous cure. The frequent or constant application of a mild antiseptic lotion, such as boric acid and resorcin, or of a mild parasiticide ointment will generally bring the disease gradually to an end.