What is Dermatitis?
Dermatitis is an inflammatory condition of the skin’s upper layers, characterized by
- itching, blisters, redness, swelling, and frequently oozing, scabbing, and scaling.
- Dry skin, contact with a certain substance, certain medications, and varicose veins are all known causes.
- A red itchy rash, scaling, open sores, oozing, and crusting are all common symptoms.
Typically, the diagnosis is made based on symptoms and validated via skin tests or skin samples, as well as the presence of suspected medicines or irritants.
By avoiding recognized irritants and allergens (substances that trigger an allergic reaction), the risk of developing dermatitis is decreased.
Treatment is determined by the underlying cause and the severity of the symptoms.
Dermatitis is a broad term that refers to a variety of various conditions that all manifest as a red, itchy rash. Although the term eczema is synonymous with dermatitis, it is frequently used to refer to atopic dermatitis. Dermatitis does not include fungal diseases on the skin.
Certain varieties of dermatitis affect only specific areas of the body (for example, contact dermatitis, which includes poison ivy; nummular dermatitis; stasis dermatitis; lichen simplex chronicus; seborrheic dermatitis; and hand and foot dermatitis), whereas others can affect any part of the body (such as atopic dermatitis).
Certain varieties of dermatitis have a well-defined etiology (for example, allergic contact dermatitis), but others do not (such as nummular dermatitis).
Chronic dermatitis is a condition that persists for an extended period of time. Hands are particularly prone to chronic dermatitis due to their constant exposure with a variety of foreign substances. Chronic dermatitis can be caused by a variety of different factors. Chronic scratching and rubbing in response to irritation frequently results in skin thickening (lichenification).
Dermatitis can the result in:
- Redness
- Itching
- Scaling
- Swelling Oozing
- Blisters that Crunch (sometimes)
- Lichenification, or skin thickening (in chronic dermatitis)
Chronic dermatitis frequently results in skin thickening and cracking. Infections can worsen any type of dermatitis.
Disability Application with a Dermatitis Diagnosis
Dermatitis is not a condition that automatically qualifies for Social Security disability benefits. When determining complete disability, the Social Security Administration will consider the extent of your skin lesions, the part(s) of the body they affect, the severity of your symptoms, the frequency of your flare ups, your response to treatment, and (most importantly) how your combination of symptoms, including your pain, affects your ability to perform day-to-day tasks expected on a job site.
It is critical that you continue to be under the care of a physician and that all therapy be thoroughly documented, including your response (or lack thereof). To qualify for Social Security disability payments, your condition must continue to impair your ability to work despite at least three months of medical treatment.
To qualify for benefits if you have dermatitis, your disabling condition must have an affect on both ligaments, both legs/feet, or one arm and one leg seriously enough that you are unable to do work or walk from place to place. Section 8.00 of the Blue Book details the SSA’s standards for skin problems. Dermatitis is specifically addressed in Section 8.05.
Ensure that you have complete medical paperwork for all flare-ups and treatments when filing your disability claim. It is preferable if the doctor offers a description of the activities you are unable to accomplish rather than just presenting medical findings that may or may not convince an SSA examiner that you are unable to continue working.
Your Disability Case Due to Dermatitis
When you’re dealing with a condition whose severity is subject to interpretation by both you and your doctor, as well as a Social Security Administration adjudicator, it’s a good idea to retain the services of a Social Security disability lawyer to assist you in making your case for disability benefits.
A disability attorney, more than anyone else (including your doctor), understands what the SSA is looking for and what it needs to see in your application and medical records before they can approve your claim. Hiring a Social Security disability lawyer is free unless you are awarded benefits, and even then, his or her compensation is deducted from the amount of back pay you will receive when you first begin collecting benefits, ensuring that your ongoing benefits can be used for their intended purpose—meeting your own financial needs.