Dermatitis

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Dermatitis is a general term meaning "inflammation of the skin." There are many different types of dermatitis. Contact dermatitis, probably the most common type, is caused by physical contact with an irritant of some type, which can be anything from a mild detergent (or even water) to strong acids or alkalis. If the irritant is comparatively mild, it may take a great deal of contact to cause a problem; strong irritants can create effects in seconds. However, different people can have remarkably different degrees of sensitivity of different irritants. Contact dermatitis is characterized by a reddening of the skin, usually only in the area where the contact actually occurred, so there is often a marked outline. There may be a slight reddening only, or there may be blisters, swelling, itching, pain, weeping areas, or even abscesses.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a variant of contact dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction rather than simple physical irritation. It can take days (as in the case of poison ivy) to years (as with dust mites) to occur, and the severity depends on the individual's sensitivity. Virtually anything - from plants to metals to chemicals in shoes, clothing, and carpeting - can cause allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals. Photoallergic contact dermatitis is a form of the disorder in which the combination of exposure to an allergen plus exposure to light results in a reaction.

Atopic dermatitis is an itching skin problem whose cause is unknown. Most doctors believe it to be limited to genetically predisposed individuals, such as those with a family history of allergies. The severity is highly variable, but Atopic dermatitis usually causes enough itching to make it difficult to avoid scratching the area, which can lead to secondary problems. The condition may spread to wide areas of the body, and breaks in the skin caused by scratching can pave the way for bacterial or fungal infection.

Less common forms of dermatitis include neurodermatitis, nummular dermatitis, exfoliate dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis. Neuodermatitis appears to have a strong psychological component. In this syndrome, itching leads to scratching, which in turn causes the development of lesions and more itching. The scratching may even be unconscious. Nummular dermatitis is most common in middle edged people, especially during dry winter months. It is characterized by the appearance of coin-shaped itching, scaling, or crusting areas that can come and go maddeningly. Exfoliate dermatitis (also known as general dermatitis) can cover wide areas of the body, and often no cause is found, though some cases may be caused by reactions to medication. The skin can be severely affected, to the point that whole areas can slough off. This can occur quickly or slowly, with varying degrees of itching and/or pain. It is important to try to identify the cause of problem, as the scaling and peeling of the skin can be severe enough to be life threatening. In severe cases, an underlying illness such as lymphoma can be involved. Stasis dermatitis is a problem of the lower legs in which the return of blood to the heart is impaired. This causes swelling around the ankle(s), and the skin becomes thickened to the point of being taut and leathery. Eventually, the lack of blood flow can allow infections and, in many cases, open ulceration to develop. Varicose veins may be involved, but this disorder can occur without them.

Eczema, psoriasis, and seborrhea also are considered types of dermatitis.

General recommendations for dermatitis
Keep your skin clean, but treat it gently. Avoid harsh soaps and greasy lotions. Use only hypoallergenic skin care products. Keep your bath or shower water warm, not hot; hot water dries out the skin and makes it more vulnerable.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing made of natural fibers that breathe, and try to avoid becoming overheated. Perspiration can aggravate the problem.

It can be hard to do, but strictly avoid picking at or scratching your skin. This only makes dermatitis worse. It also increases the possibility of infection.

Preventive measures for dermatitis
It may not be possible to prevent dermatitis from developing, but it goes without saying that you should avoid contact with anything that has triggered an outbreak in the past.

Treatment for dermatitis: This section provides information about dermatitis treatment.
Dermatitis diet: It gives information and guidelines to choose your sample diet to eliminate your dermatitis.
Dermatitis nutritions and supplements: This section provides comprehensive list of nutritional supplements for dermatitis.
Herbal treatment for dermatitis: This section focuses on various traditional herbal treatments used to cure dermatitis.
Dermatitis aromatherapy treatment: This section provides information about essential oils which are helpful to cure dermatitis.
Dermatitis homeopathy treatment: It provides information about homeopathic medicines required for curing dermatitis.

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