Dermatitis is a generic term for dry, inflamed skin conditions. Each type of dermatitis has its own set of symptoms, which means the condition can present in many ways.
A patch can appear anywhere on your body. If it’s small and in an inconspicuous area, it may only be mildly annoying. However, if symptoms of dermatitis appear in a highly-visible area, you may feel uncomfortable in your skin – physically and psychologically.
Let’s look at how you can ditch dermatitis and improve your skin health.
What is dermatitis?
Dermatitis is the medical term for skin inflammation. It can occur anywhere on your body and there are several types, e.g. eczema.
It develops when your skin becomes irritated or has an allergic reaction to a substance. This non-contagious reaction causes the affected skin to become dry, itchy, discoloured and swollen.
This condition presents in people of all ages, even babies. It’s very distressing for parents to see infants struggle with it. Fortunately, there are treatment options that can help skin of all ages feel healthy and comfortable.
Types of dermatitis
All types of dermatitis have their own causes, symptoms, and characteristics. Here are some of the most common types:
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
A chronic and itchy form that often starts in infancy or childhood. There’s usually a family history of allergic conditions like asthma or hay fever.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
This type of dermatitis relates to an allergic reaction to a specific substance. It occurs when you become sensitised to a particular allergen, such as fragrances. Regular exposure triggers the immune system, leading to skin inflammation, redness, itching, blistering.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
This occurs when the skin is exposed to irritants, like harsh chemicals or solvents. Prolonged or repeated exposure can damage the skin’s protective barrier, leading to inflammation.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
This common condition creates red, scaly patches on oily parts of the body, e.g. scalp, eyebrows, nose. It tends to be chronic and flare up periodically.
Nummular Dermatitis
Also known as discoid eczema, it causes round or coin-shaped patches of red, inflamed skin. It’s often triggered by cold weather, dry air or skin injuries.
Dyshidrotic Dermatitis
This primarily affects the hands and feet, causing small, itchy blisters, redness and scaling.
What are signs and symptoms of dermatitis?
The symptoms of dermatitis vary between each type. They can also alter in intensity, with some days being worse than others.
Symptoms usually include skin that is:
- dry
- cracked
- itchy
- flaky
- swollen
- thickened
- red or discoloured (this can vary depending on your natural skin tone).
It is also possible to have:
- rashes
- blisters
- bumps
- painful sensations in the affected area.
Causes for dermatitis
Each person has a different trigger for their dermatitis. In most situations, the trigger causes skin inflammation secondary to an immune reaction. While dermatitis isn’t an immune condition, it’s often an important part of the equation.
The perplexing part is that what causes a reaction in one person, may not in another. Some theories suggest that this relates to:
a) family history
b) the health (or dysfunction) of the liver.
Because this is a complex topic, research surrounding dermatitis-causes continues.
The common factors that trigger reactions include:
- food sensitivities, especially wheat, gluten, dairy, corn
- artificial preservatives in food and cosmetics
- ‘natural’ fragrances
- latex
- nickel
- harsh chemicals
- detergents
- solvents
- soaps containing sodium lauryl sulphate
- dry or cold weather
- heat
- humidity
- stress
- yeast overgrowth
- poor gut health
- hormone imbalances, e.g. high estrogen.
Treatments for dermatitis
Treatment for dermatitis always begins with avoiding exposure to known triggers. Then, it’s time to use one (or multiple) of the following dermatitis treatments:
Medication
Depending on your type of dermatitis, a doctor may recommend:
- Topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and itching
- Topical immunomodulators to calm the immune system and decrease inflammation
- Antihistamines to relieve itching and improve sleep quality
- Medicated moisturisers to reduce itchy, redness and discomfort
Supplements
Many herbs and nutrient supplements promote skin health and decrease inflammation. Naturopathic and Ayurveda practitioners are specialists in this area and can guide you to what you need. Popular choices include:
- Herbs, e.g. Turmeric Aloe Vera, Fennel, Ginger, Milk Thistle
- Nutrients, e.g. Vitamin C and B-Complex, Silica, Zinc
Acupuncture
Studies show that acupuncture can help reduce dermatitis-related itchiness and discomfort.
Stress-Reducing Therapies
Stress can trigger, and exacerbate, dermatitis. Therefore, any therapy that promotes relaxation can assist dermatitis symptoms. Consider reflexology, meditation and massage.
Diagnosing dermatitis
Diagnosing dermatitis can be a complex journey, especially if you’re trying to identify your triggers.
Begin by visiting your doctor. They will take your medical history and ask questions about your symptoms. The affected area will be examined for redness, inflammation, rashes or blisters.
Then, if you’re suspected of having dermatitis, do patch testing. During this test, your skin is exposed to tiny amounts of common allergens and covered with a patch. After a couple of days, your doctor will remove the patch and check for any allergic reactions.
If you possibly have a food allergy trigger, you may also benefit from an elimination diet. This involves temporarily removing certain foods from your diet and gradually reintroducing them. Throughout this process your symptoms are noted.
Finally, in rare cases, a skin biopsy can help rule out other skin conditions. This involves taking a small sample of skin for examination under a microscope.
Conclusion
In summary, dermatitis is a skin condition that can be very uncomfortable. Taking the time to identify your triggers, so you can properly manage them, is the best course of treatment. It’s also important as prevention for dermatitis breakouts in the future. All other therapies will be more effective after you diligently complete this process.
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FAQs
Is cradle cap a form of dermatitis?
Cradle cap is a form of dermatitis that occurs in babies. It causes crusty or oily patches of skin on the scalp. In many cases, it’s worsened by dairy products.
Is dermatitis an infection?
In most instances, dermatitis is not caused by an infection. This is why antibiotics are usually an ineffective treatment.
How did I catch dermatitis?
Dermatitis is not contagious. It is caused by an internal reaction in your body, usually as the result of being exposed to an allergen or harsh chemical.
