Transient Diseases

Transient diseases are those that appear suddenly, yet resolve within a short period of time with no long-term effects. Within dermatology, there are a variety of different transient diseases, which include such conditions as contact dermatitis, miliaria, pityriasis rosea, and nummular dermatitis. Contact dermatitis presents as an itchy, red rash that develops in areas where skin comes into contact with an irritant or allergen. Common factors that can lead to a case of contact dermatitis include shampoos, detergents, soaps, jewelry, and cosmetics. To treat this condition, the source of the irritation or allergen must be identified and then avoided. Topical steroids and emollients may be used for a mild case of contact dermatitis. Miliaria, also known as “prickly heat” or “heat rash” is a condition that develops when sweat ducts become obstructed, leading to the trapped sweat being unable to evaporate. As a result, itchy red welts appear and the affected areas may become very sensitive. To treat miliaria, the affected area should be kept cool and dry. If necessary, topical steroids may be prescribed. Pityriasis rosea is usually accompanied by an initial “herald patch” which is highly visible and larger than other spots associated with the condition. The name of this rash is derived from the patches’ color, which is usually pink, red, purple or brown. Fortunately, pityriasis rosea tends to have a self-limited course, with treatment usually consisting of reassurance and topical steroids. The final type of transient dermatologic condition is nummular dermatitis, which is characterized by reddish-brown circular spots or coin-shaped lesions on the skin. Those afflicted with nummular dermatitis can often experience an intense itch in areas where the spots occur. Topical steroids and emollients can help to soothe this condition and it will usually resolve on its own. In conclusion, there are a variety of transient dermatologic diseases, each of which can cause redness, itchiness and other uncomfortable symptoms. Fortunately, all of these conditions are self-limited and can usually be treated with topical steroids or emollients.