Eczema & Dermatitis

Eczema & Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy.  It's common in children but can occur at any age.  Atopic dermatitis is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare periodically.  It may be accompanied by asthma or hay fever.

No cure has been found for atopic dermatitis.  But treatments and self-care measures can relieve itching and prevent new outbreaks.

Other forms of dermatitis include:

Contact dermatitis:  This rash occurs on areas of the body that have come into contact with substances that either irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction,

Seborrheic dermatitis:  This condition causes scaly patches, red skin and stubborn dandruff. It usually affects oily areas of the body, such as the face, upper chest and back.  In infants this is known as cradle cap.

Symptoms

Atopic dermatitis (eczema) signs and symptoms vary widely from person to person and include:

Dry Skin

• Itching, which may be severe, especially at night
• Red to brownish-gray patches, especially on the hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, inside the bend of the elbows and knees, and in infants, the face and scalp
• Small, raised bumps, which may leak fluid and crust over when scratched
• Thickened, cracked, scaly skin
• Raw, sensitive, swollen skin from scratching

Atopic dermatitis most often begins before age 5 and may persist into adolescence and adulthood.

For some people, it flares periodically and then clears up for a time, even for several years.

Some of the causes of eczema or dermatitis include:

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). This form of dermatitis is likely related to a mix of factors, including dry skin, a gene variation, an immune system dysfunction, bacteria on the skin and environmental conditions.
• Contact dermatitis. This condition results from direct contact with one of many irritants or allergens — jewellery containing nickel, cleaning products, perfumes, cosmetics, and even the preservatives in many creams and lotions.
• Seborrheic dermatitis. This condition may be caused by a yeast (fungus) that is in the oil secretion on the skin. People with seborrheic dermatitis may notice their condition tends to come and go depending on the season.

Treatment

The treatment for dermatitis varies, depending on the cause and each person's experience of the condition. 

      These can include:

• Applying corticosteroid creams
• Applying certain creams or lotions that affect your immune system (calcineurin inhibitors)
• Exposing the affected area to controlled amounts of natural or artificial light (phototherapy)

      
Home remedies can include:

• Use non-prescription anti-inflammation and anti-itch products 
• Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion can temporarily relieve inflammation and itching. 
• Oral antihistamines, may be helpful if itching is severe. 
• Apply cool, wet compresses. This helps soothe your skin. 
• Wear cotton clothing. Smooth cotton clothing can help. 
• Take a comfortably warm bath. Sprinkle your bath water with uncooked oatmeal.
• Take a bleach bath. This may help people with severe atopic dermatitis by decreasing the bacteria on the skin. Add 1/2 cup to a bathtub filled with warm water.
• Avoid rubbing and scratching. Cover the itchy area with a dressing if you can't keep from scratching it.
• Choose mild laundry detergent. Choose mild, unscented laundry products.
• Moisturize your skin. For mild forms of the condition, moisturizer may be the main form of treatment. Avoid irritants. For contact dermatitis especially, try to minimize contact with the substance that caused your rash. 
• Use stress management techniques.
• Techniques such as relaxation or biofeedback may help.

Natural Remedies

Many alternative therapies, including those listed below, have helped some people manage their dermatitis. But evidence for their effectiveness isn't conclusive.

• Dietary supplements, such as vitamin D and probiotics, for atopic dermatitis.
• Rice bran broth (applied to the skin) for atopic dermatitis.
• Tea tree oil, either alone or added to your shampoo, for seborrheic dermatitis.
• Fish oil supplements for seborrheic dermatitis.
• Aloe Vera for seborrheic dermatitis.
• Avoid harsh soaps, be sure to gently pat dry your skin after a bath and moisturize your skin regularly.

Diet

A sensible diet is important. Foods with polyphenols have been shown to help improve general health and skin health. Polyphenols improve the gut flora and fauna which impact the skin. Foods with polyphenols can be researched on the web but some for example are:

• Blueberries
• Crab Apple
• Strawberries
• Whole grain rye breads
• Celery seed
• Capers

Reference Sites: Medicine Net,

Mayo Clinic, Nutrition Advance

Disclaimer: OR Natural researches reputable sites to source information on skin conditions. The material is prepared to assist our customers understanding of the condition and we encourage people to seek medical advice where a condition persists and to research for themselves information about their condition. While OR Natural strives to maintain current and relevant information to the best of our ability, this should not be construed as medical advice as the relevance and accuracy of medical information changes significantly over time as new treatments become available.

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