DERMATITIS

The terms eczema and dermatitis are often used interchangeably to describe the same condition. Dermatitis is characterized by a rash, dryness of skin, itching, and redness of skin. The symptoms of dermatitis occur due to the over production of damaging inflammatory skin cells and continue to worsen as a result of certain factors in the environment.

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

What Can I Do To Improve My Dermatitis?

Even though there is no cure for dermatitis, there are lots of things you can do to feel better if you have it:

Don't scratch! Sometimes this can seem like the hardest thing to do. But when you scratch, it makes your skin sore. The skin can even break open, bleed, and become infected with bacteria.
Keep your fingernails cut short. You're less likely to break your skin open if you scratch an itch.

Take short baths or showers with warm water. Hot water can make you itch more. Ask your doctor about the use of oatmeal soaking products in your bath to help control the itching.

After bathing, don't rub your skin dry with a rough towel. That just irritates your skin more. Gently pat it dry to get the water off. Then put on some moisturizing lotion to help keep your skin from getting too dry. You can spread the lotion on several times a day.

Do your skin a favor and drink lots of water, increasing your water intake, increases the moisture in your skin.

Wear loose clothing to help your skin feel better. Make sure you wear cotton or other natural fibers. Wool and synthetic cloth can make you feel itchy all over.

Relax. You may find that your dermatitis gets worse when you're stressed. Find ways to deal with things that bother you.

Keep a diary of anything you ate or came in contact with just prior to a flare. If you're allergic to any foods or other things that may make your dermatitis flare up, you'll want to be sure to avoid them.

Unfortunately, dermatitis cannot be cured, though certain types will eventually clear up and others can be resolved by avoiding particular triggers.

For many sufferers however, this is a lifetime condition that has to be carefully managed and monitored.It is thought that dermatitis may be an outlet for one's emotions and is aggravated by stress. It could equally be said that dermatitis may cause emotional stress.

Either way, dermatitis can justifiably be described as a condition you 'wear'. The psychological aspects of dermatitis are very imprecise but undoubtedly there are psychological factors in many illnesses.

The person with dermatitis may be quite sensitive about their condition. Self-consciousness is common. People may withdraw socially, believing that skin conditions carry a stigma. This can affect the person's social and emotional development.

No one knows for certain what conditions specifically cause dermatitis, although problems with the body’s immune system may be to blame. Substances and events that are often perceived to cause the condition are actually triggers. The triggers cause underlying skin conditions to flare up and existing skin rashes to worsen, but they don’t actually cause the condition. Research into human genetics may hold the key to discovering the root cause of eczema. Until then, sufferers should attempt to avoid substances known to trigger skin rashes.

Thursday, October 21, 2004

Types, Forms, Systems and Patterns of Dermatitis

The simple definition of dermatitis is inflammation of the skin. Many people think of dermatitis as synonymous with eczema but this is actually not true. Almost any rash can be thought of as a dermatitis based on this definition - including psoriasis, skin cancer, and seborrhea. However, not every rash is dermatitis.

Rosacea is a hereditary, chronic (long term) skin disorder that most often affects the nose, forehead, cheekbones, and chin (Dr. Berasques). Groups of tiny microvessels (arterioles, capillaries, and venules) close to the surface of the skin become dilated, resulting in blotchy red areas with small papules (a small, red solid elevated inflammatory skin lesion without pus, that is minor when the size is of a small measles lesion, moderate when about the size of a pencil eraser, and severe when the papule is the size of a small currency coin or the tip of the little finger) and pustules (pus-filled inflammatory bumps). The redness can come and go, but eventually it may become permanent.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms. Acne affects most teenagers to some extent, but can also affect adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s. While there is no permanent cure for acne, it is controllable.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Psoriasis causes the skin to become inflamed, while producing red, thickened areas with silvery scales. This persistent skin disease occurs most often on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. In some cases, psoriasis is so mild that people don't know they have it. At the opposite extreme, severe psoriasis may cover large areas of the body.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the word Eczema is used to describe all kinds of red, blistering, oozing, scaly, brownish, thickened, and itching skin conditions.
The word atopic describes a group of allergic or associated diseases that often affect several members of a family. These families may have allergies such as hay fever and asthma, but also have skin eruptions called Atopic Dermatitis. The disease can occur at any age, but is most common in infants to young adults.

Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis in infants occurs mainly on the face and scalp, although spots can appear elsewhere. In teens and young adults, the eruptions typically occur on the elbow bends and backs of the knees, ankles and wrists and on the face, neck and upper chest.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Poison Ivy Rash is caused by a substance called urushiol, found in the sap of Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac. In those who are sensitive, urushiol causes a reaction in the form of a line or streak of rash (sometimes resembling insect bites) within 12-48 hours. Redness and swelling will be followed by blisters and severe itching. In a few days, the blisters become crusted and begin to scale. The rash will usually take about ten days to heal, sometimes leaving small spots. The rash can affect almost any part of the body, especially areas where the skin is thin.

Insect Bites and Stings can produce local inflammatory reactions that may vary in appearance. Acute reactions may appear as hives; more chronic reactions may appear as inflammatory papule (circumscribed, solid elevations on the skin) or may be characterized by a blister or blisters.

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Dermatitis

Dermatitis affects about one in every five people at some time in their lives. It results from a variety of different causes and has various patterns.

Dermatitis can be "acute" or "chronic" or both. Acute dermatitis refers to a rapidly evolving red rash which may be blistered and swollen. Chronic dermatitis refers to a longstanding irritable area. It is often darker than the surrounding skin, thickened (lichenified) and much scratched.

Psychological stresses can provoke or aggravate dermatitis, presumably by suppressing normal immune mechanisms.

Dermatitis is often a long-term problem. When you notice your skin getting dry, moisturise your skin again and carefully avoid the use of soap. If the itchy rash returns, use both the moisturiser and the steroid cream or ointment. If it fails to improve within two weeks, you may wish to consult with your doctor for further advice.