Dermatitis

Background information, causes, and treatments for Dermatitis.

Posted 04/26/2005

This term is normally used for the sort of inflammation, redness, itching or broken skin that develops as a result of contact with a skin irritant, such as poison ivy, nickel, chemicals, cosmetic ingredients, or detergents. Seborrheic dermatitis is used to describe the itchy, red, scaly skin condition that sometimes appears on the faces of those with very oily skin, usually around the creases of the nostrils.

Causes

Contact dermatitis is often mistaken for an allergic reaction but it more usually the result of contact with substances which irritate the skin, such as the harsh chemicals found in many household cleaners, garden fertilizers, or certain plants. Seborrheic dermatitis is caused by an excess of sebum in which the natural skin yeasts flourish to a degree that your skin finds irritating. Because it is often accompanied by flaking, many people mistake dermatitis for dry skin and attempt to moisturize, which only aggravates the condition.

Treatment

With contact dermatitis, prevention is better than treatment. Always wear gloves when working with harsh detergents, bleaches, or anything you know your skin detests. If you suffer an inflammation, rinse the affected areas well in tepid water to remove the irritant and apply a rich, but bland, non-scented barrier type hand cream - lots of it. With seborrheic dermatitis, wash the affected area with an efficient non-soap cleanser, rinse well, and don't apply moisturizer. If the condition is widespread or unbearably itchy, a doctor can prescribe topical medications to control it.

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