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.

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Guttate Psoriasis

A form of dermatitis called guttate psoriasis is characterized by small red dots (or drops) of psoriasis. Guttate is derived from the Latin word gutta meaning "drop." It often appears on the trunk, arms and legs. The lesions may have some scale. Guttate psoriasis frequently appears suddenly following a streptococcal infection or viral upper respiratory infections. There are also other events that can precipitate an attack of guttate psoriasis: tonsillitis, a cold, chicken pox, immunizations, physical trauma, psychological stress, illness, and the administration of anti-malarial drugs. Guttate psoriasis is many small patches of psoriasis, all over the body, and often happens after a throat infection. Guttate Psoriasis most often affects children and young adults. It appears as small, red bumps-the size of drops of water-on the skin. It usually appears suddenly, often several weeks after an infection such as strep throat.

Monday, March 28, 2005

Treating Dermatitis With Dermatitis-Ltd

Dermatitis-Ltd will improve the skin beauty and provide happiness and contentment to previous sufferers of the various forms of eczema, psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Overall, 98% of Dermatitis-Ltd III users confirm that they have found noticeable improvement in the beauty of their skin on their face and at various locations on their body where persistant skin problems have been for so long.

Friday, March 25, 2005

Lifestyle Can Affect Dermatitis

Treatment for dermatitis includes:
-No scratching! Scratching, of course will only make the dermatitis worse.
-Keep the skin moist.
-over-the-counter or prescription corticosteroid creams (use as directed, see a doctor if rash gets worse or doesn't get better)
-oral antihistamines as prescribed, which helps the itching.
-cool compresses applied for one hour, three times a day will help relieve itching.
Complications of dermatitis include secondary bacterial infections. If blisters, rash and redness get worse or a fever develops, see your doctor. You may have a secondary bacterial infection which requires oral antibiotics.
Prevention includes common sense: avoiding contact with allergic and irritant causes and culprits. Some ways to help when you have a rash include:
-keep your fingernails short, and don't scratch!
Put mittens or socks on the hands of small children at night who may scratch.
-use gentle soaps and rinse well
-use warm water not hot water.
-use your hands not a washcloth to wash yourself.
-use a hypoallergenic skin moisturizer to keep skin moist.
-wear loose fitting clothing in cool, breathable fabrics like cotton.
-switch to mild or hypoallergenic everything.
-wash new clothing before wearing them
-rinse your body after swimming in pools with chlorine
-use sunscreen, avoid too much sun
-avoid sudden temperature changes

Monday, March 14, 2005

What is Dermatitis?

The word dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. Contact Dermatitis just means that the dermatitis is a reaction to something, some irritant that comes in direct contact with the skin. There are many different types of dermatitis. Eczema is a form of dermatitis. Dermatitis is a form of allergy or allergic reaction that occurs on the skin. Contact dermatitis is usually found on the face, neck, backs of hands, forearms, male genetalia and lower legs. Symptoms of dermatitis include:
-redness
-swelling of the skin
-skin rash
-itching, or burning of the skin
-tiny blisters that leak clear fluid
-the skin may leak fluid, itch, crust up and become scaly.
Dermatitis occurs when an allergic reaction occurs on the skin itself, caused by some irritant. The rash caused by poison ivy or poison oak is an example of an allergic reaction of the skin, or dermatitis, reaction to the poison oils in those plants. Other examples of allergic contact dermatitis include nickel, a metal used in jewelry, perfumes, soaps, detergents, shampoos, cosmetics.
It can take up to 48 hours after you have been exposed for dermatitis to develop. Over the counter antihistamines or hydrocortisone creams can be used to treat dermatitis. Follow the directions carefully.

If the rash is not better within the specified time, see a doctor.

There is a distinct difference between allergic contact dermatitis (which was discussed above), and irritant contact dermatitis. Irritant contact dermatitis causes an itcy, red rash that results from direct contact with certain chemicals or other such substances. Irritant contact dermatitis is NOT caused by an allergy. Allergic contact dermatitis IS caused by an allergy. The two types of dermatitis are distinguishable in looks and characteristics.

Irritant contact dermatitis has indistinct borders and scaly looking rash. It often occurs on the hands because the hands are what most often comes in contact with the chemical or substance. Allergic contact dermatitis usually has a distinct border and oozing blisters. Irritant contact dermatitis usually occurs after prolonged and repeated exposure to the irritant chemical. Chemical and industrial solutions are often the culprit. For some people the problem gets so bad that they have to change jobs.

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Effects of Dermatitis on the Skin

The largest human organ isn't the liver, the kidneys or the lungs; it's the skin. Our skin is our front line protection against the outside world. The skin guards our internal organs against sunburn, dirt, bacteria, and other dangers.

There are hundreds of different skin conditions. Dermatitis, melanoma and other types of skin cancer, acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis are just a few of the many types of skin problems. Skin problems may be caused by food allergies, sunburn, hormones, pregnancy, genetics or a host of other causes. They are rarely life threatening. Even skin cancers (including melanoma) often respond well to treatment if detected early enough.

Skin problems cause many people emotional pain and suffering. Some skin conditions are severe enough that patients can suffer depression. In many cases, healing the emotional scars related to a skin condition can take even longer than treating the physical problem

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

FDA Rules in Favor of Cancer Warnings Over Eczema Creams

US authorities have ruled two eczema creams should carry warnings that they may increase the risk of cancer.

The Food and Drug Administration said research had shown that Elidel and Protopic may pose a cancer risk when absorbed into the body.

It said babies should not be treated with the creams at all.

The view is strongly disputed by the manufacturers, Novartis, which makes Elidel, and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical, which makes Protopic.

The FDA is working on a "black box" warning for the creams - the strongest warning carried by medicines in the US.

In a statement it said animal studies had shown a potential link with cancer.

There were also reports of seven cases of lymphoma and six of skin cancer among children and adults treated with Elidel or Protopic.

Both creams work by suppressing the immune system. Depressing immune activity in this way is known to potentially contribute to cancer.

Friday, March 04, 2005

Get the Facts on Dermatitis

Dermatitis is the most common inflammatory disease of the skin. It affects 15 million adults and children - 6% of all Americans. It nearly always begins within the first 5 years of life and while 50% of cases will be outgrown, the remainder will persist throughout a lifetime.The exact cause of the condition is not known, but genetic factors are thought to play a role in the development of this disease.Persons with dermatitis often have allergies or asthma, as well. Various materials such as wool can cause a worsening of symptoms.Dermatitis appears as redness, scaling and/or small blisters (vesicles) on the head, face, neck, or the insides of the elbows, wrists, and knees. These characteristic features are often masked by secondary lesions such as crusting, excoriations, infection, or irritation from topical treatments.There is no cure for dermatitis. Current therapy is directed at suppressing the inflammation and reducing triggering factors with topical treatments and ultraviolet light therapy.