What is Spongiotic Dermatitis

Spongiotic dermatitis is a general term used to describe contact dermatitis. It is usually caused by coming in contact with an allergen (substance that causes an allergic reaction) that shows up in the form of spongey looking hives - hence the name - "spongiotic dermatitis." The lymphatic nodes and ducts fill up with histamines and other fluid substances. The eyes, lips and skin can fill with pockets of fluids and histamines in response to the allergen.
Allergens are external such as poison ivy, chemicals, topically applied medicines, chemicals, hair and skin products, etc... It can also be caused by multiple allergies, asthma, hayfever, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or atopic dermatitis.
Allergic reactions caused by internally taken medications cause a different form of dermatitis - not spongiotic.
The doctors sometimes prescribe a treatment of antihistamines (Allegra, sudafed....)and steroids if necessary. I'm not sure that dietary changes would produce much of an effect here. The primary remedy is to identify the allergen and avoid it at all costs. If you know what you are reacting to, by all means, run don't walk. If you don't know what you're reacting to, it could take a while. Future exposures could worsen the effect and increase your risks.
Swelling is a major concern here - externally and internally. The external swelling causes severe itching which could cause infection. Internal swelling could cause an irritation and closing of the nasal passages and airways. Very serious.

Stasis Dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis is a skin irritation on the lower legs generally related to circulatory problems.
Stasis refers to a stoppage or slowdown in the flow of blood (or other body fluid such as lymph). Stasis dermatitis are skin changes caused by fluid build-up under the skin.
A stasis ulcer is an ulcer (a crater) that develops in an area in which the circulation is sluggish and the venous return (the return of venous blood toward the heart) is poor. A common location for stasis ulcers is on the ankle.
"Stasis" is a Greek word meaning "the posture for standing" and is derived from the Greek "histemi" meaning "to make stand still."

The symptoms of Stasis dermatitis include:
Swelling of legs, ankles, or other areas
Skin appears thin, tissue-like
Skin lesion: macule or patch
Skin spots, red
Darkening of skin at the ankles or legs
Thickening of skin at the ankles or legs
Open sores, ulcers (may develop)
Superficial skin irritation of the legs
Itching (of the affected area)
Leg pains (in the affected area)

To treat stasis dermatitis the underlying condition and swelling must be controlled. This may include surgical correction of varicose veins, medications to control heart failure, or diuretics to remove excess fluid.Circulation in the area may be improved as edema is reduced. This can be aided by elevation of the legs above the level of the heart until swelling is lessened. Gradual increase in gentle activity, such as walking, can improve circulation.Elastic stockings may be recommended to improve venous blood return from the legs, which will reduce swelling.Treatment of the skin may include wet dressings and topical antibiotics to control infection in open ulcers.The skin area should be kept clean and observed for signs of infection (pain, redness, drainage that looks like pus).

The More Common Types of Dermatitis

The more common types of dermatitis include:
Contact Dermatitis which is dermatitis caused by physical contact with an irritant or allergen; Atopic Dermatitis which is a hereditary dermatitis thought to be caused by an allergic reaction;
Stasis Dermatitis which is dermatitis of the leg area due to poor circulation;
Seborrheic Dermatitis appears as flaking or redness of the skin;
Neurodermatitis which is dermatitis caused by repeated scratching or chafing.

Defining Dermatitis

Dermatitis is inflammation of the various levels of the dermis which is the second layer of the skin. The dermis contains sweat glands, blood vessels and nerves to provide sensations of pleasure, pain, pressure, itch, or temperature. The dermis is composed of tissue types of collagen, elastic tissue, and reticular fibers. Any rash or inflammation such as psoriasis, eczema, skin cancer, seborrhea, etc. is dermatitis. Specific types of dermatitis are as follows: allergic contact dermatitis which is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction involving allergens and antibodies, contact dermatitis is due to exposure to irritating chemicals or detergents, atopic dermatitis which is an allergic reaction that is accompanied by hay fever, asthma, and very dry skin.

The Facts on Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis is produced by a substance that has a direct toxic effect on the skin. After exposure to an irritant, a skin reaction can occur immediately or gradually after repeated exposure. Examples of common irritants include acids (certain toilet bowl and drain cleaners, dishwasher detergents), alkalis (ammonia, lye), cement, turpentine, and paint thinners. With acute and mild exposure, there is typically redness, swelling, and oozing. If left untreated, the condition can result in dry, thickened, cracked skin.
Irritant contact dermatitis is often more painful than itchy, and is the result of an offending agent that actually damages the skin with which it comes into contact. The longer the skin is in contact—or the more concentrated the agent—the more severe the reaction. Water with added soaps and detergents is the most common cause. Thus, it is not surprising that these reactions appear most often on the hands, and are frequently work-related Individuals with other skin diseases, especially eczema, are most susceptible.

Summertime Skin Rashs

Sun Exposure, Sunburn and Heat Rash - Sunlight contains harmful ultraviolet rays that can damage the skin. Sunburn increases your chance of developing a skin condition, as does tanning and lengthy unprotected exposure to the sun. Skin cancer is the best known condition caused by sunburn and tanning. Premature aging of the skin also occurs with prolonged exposure to the sun.

In hot, humid weather, prickly heat rash can develop. Staying cool and dry, wearing light, cool clothing and drying thoroughly after bathing are the best defenses against the irritating prickly heat of the heat rash pustules.

With poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac, the culprit is the same -- an oil called urushiol. This oil is found in the leaves, roots, and twigs of these plants. There is no difference in the rashes, since there is no difference in the cause. (A few other plants contain the same oil in lesser amounts, including the Japanese lacquer tree [and thus some lacquered furniture], the gingko tree, the shells of cashews, the shells of brazil nuts, and the rinds of mangoes -- sensitive individuals would do well to avoid all of these).

Wherever the oil touches the skin of a sensitive individual, an exquisitely itchy, red rash will appear between 8 and 72 hours (usually 12-48 hours) later, which will often go on to develop blisters. The first time a person touches this oil, s/he may break out 7 to 10 days later.

Most people, however, will have no reaction the first time they are exposed. In fact, children under the age of 7 are rarely sensitive. Sensitivity is particularly rare under the age of one, and when infants do break out, the rash is usually mild. (One of my sons is convinced that he will always be immune, because he's played in poison oak a few times with no rash -- he may be in for a rude awakening this summer, or he may be one of the 15%-30% of individuals who never develop sensitivity).

The oil from poison plants can stick to virtually anything. It can dry and remain potent indefinitely. Once the oil has been removed, the rash from poison oak or poison ivy is not contagious. Even the oozing blisters are not contagious, although they look like they should be. Because new blisters can keep appearing over the course of a week, people assume that touching the rash causes it to spread, or that the ooze itself is responsible for the spreading. The fluid that fills the blisters is one's own serum, not the poisonous oil. The skin only breaks out where it actually comes into contact with the urushiol. The sensitivity of the skin, and the amount of oil, determine the speed of the eruption. Places where the oil is most concentrated, or the skin the most vulnerable, break out first, followed days later by places where there was only a little oil, or the skin is a more effective barrier.

Living With Eczema: Coping With Extremes In Temperature and Humidity

Extremes in temperature and humidity can worsen or trigger an eczema flare. While it may be tricky, maintaining a moderate and stable temperature and humidity all year is helpful. When it's warm and humid in summer, make sure the temperature inside remains cool with an air conditioner. Also keep in mind that air-conditioned air may also be drying to your skin, so be sure to use a moisturizer. In the winter, the air tends to be drier (cold air holds less moisture, and heating systems generally introduce very dry, hot air into homes), which makes it easier to develop dry skin. Since dry skin is more prone to itching, using a humidifier during the winter months can keep the humidity at an optimal level.

Most people with atopic dermatitis notice that when they get hot, they itch. They have a type of prickly heat that doesn’t occur just in humid summertime but any time they sweat. It can happen from exercise, from too many warm bedclothes or rapid changes in temperature from cold to warm.

Extreme cold or hot temperatures, or sudden changes in the temperature, are poorly tolerated by persons with Atopic dermatitis. High humidity causes increased sweating and may result in prickly-heat-type symptoms. Low humidity dries the skin, especially during winter months when homes are heated. Unfortunately, humidifiers may not help enough; the best protection against "winter itch" is regular application of a good moisturizer. While you can do little about the climate (and moving to a new climate is often not possible, anyway), you can try to keep your home environment comfortable. Keeping thermostats set low and wearing fewer bedclothes, to prevent night sweating, are two ways to combat the problem

Living With Eczema: Cleansing the Skin

When living with eczema, proper cleansing of the skin is vital. Cleansing the skin reduces bacteria that may be present on the skin's surface as well as removing the effects of pollution, city dirt and grime.

Astringent soaps and any astringent agents that shrink the skin pores such as witch hazel, alum, oatmeal, very cold water, and rubbing alcohol should be avoided, as they shrink pores, trapping more body oils in the skin. Deodorant soaps and those with a strong fragrance can also cause additional skin irritation. Soap dries skin and should be avoided by people with eczema. Soap is designed to eliminate dirt and grime, but it strips the skin of the very oils that are there to protect it.
Manufacturers do add fats and oils to soaps, particularly baby soaps, but these are still generally too harsh for eczema sufferers.

Water also dries skin, and combined with soap on cracked and broken skin can be very painful.
It is better, therefore, to use soap substitutes, usually in the form of a cream, that are specifically designed for dry skin and eczema. These are available on prescription or over the counter to buy. It is better to obtain the cream in a pump dispenser, or transfer it into a dispenser, in order to reduce spreading germs from infected skin. Rub the cream into the skin for several minutes, and then rinse off.

If you have to use soap, make sure it is either a non-alkaline soap, or a solid cream - these look like a bar of soap but do not contain soap at all.

Experts are divided as to whether it is beneficial to bathe regularly if you have eczema. Normal baths should be avoided, but bathing with the right soap products will help to remove scabs, prevent infection and help seal in moisture in preparation for the application of emollients.