Any skin inflammation may be considered dermatitis. Substances that
irritate the skin, allergic reactions to drugs, detergents, and other
chemicals are all problems. Dermatitis can affect almost any area of
the body. Redness, scaling, and thickening of the skin may occur.
Pinpointing the cause of the problem is the first step toward
alleviating the symptoms.
Dermatitis is a broad term covering many different disorders that all
result in a red, itchy rash. The term eczema is sometimes used for
dermatitis. Some types of dermatitis affect only specific parts of
the body, whereas others can occur anywhere. Some types of dermatitis
have a known cause; others do not. However, dermatitis is always the
skin's way of reacting to severe dryness, scratching, a substance
that is causing irritation, or an allergen. Typically, that substance
comes in direct contact with the skin, but sometimes the substance is
swallowed. In all cases, continuous scratching and rubbing may
eventually lead to thickening and hardening of the skin.
Eczema is a type of dermatitis that is allergy related. It appears as
dry, cracking, crusting and red patches on the skin. Often there are
swelling, weeping blisters. The skin can become inflamed and itchy.
Many factors can contribute to eczema. Stress is a major factor.
Exposure to cleaning compounds, perfumes, detergents, household
chemicals, soaps, food allergies, as well as, nutrient deficiencies.
Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin diseases, affecting
15 million people in the United States. Almost 66% of people with the
disorder develop it before age 1, and 90% by age 5. In half of these
people, the disorder will be gone by the teenage years; in others, it
is lifelong.
Doctors do not know what causes atopic dermatitis, but people with it
usually have many allergic disorders, particularly asthma, hay fever,
and food allergies. The relationship between the dermatitis and these
disorders is not clear; atopic dermatitis is not an allergy to a
particular substance. Atopic dermatitis is not contagious.
Many conditions can make atopic dermatitis worse, including emotional
stress, changes in temperature or humidity, bacterial skin
infections, and contact with irritating clothing.
In some infants, food allergies may provoke atopic dermatitis.
Asthma at an early age is often seen. With the development of eczema
and asthma, western medicine sees this as an allergic IgE response.
This is a genetically determined disorder that occurs in association
with asthma and hay fever. Symptoms usually include erythematous,
scaling and lichenified areas, which when active show crusting but no
vesicles. If a blood sample is taken, it will most likely show an
increase in IgE levels and a high number of eosinophils.
Supplements for Eczema
*A study published in the British Medical Journal Lancet showed a
significant improvement in eczema when patients took high doses of
Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) in capsule form. There have been some
reports that EPO can help in cases of atopic dermatitis. It takes a
rather large number of these expensive capsules to produce results
and it can take at least six months to see any results.
*Flaxseed oil taken internally or applied externally often eases
symptoms of eczema.
*Aloe vera gel and Calendula lotion or cream can sooth irritated
skin.
*Take 500 milligrams of Black Currant Oil twice a day. Give children
under 12 half that dose. This takes six to eight weeks to produce the
desired effect.
*Eat at regular times with relevant portions of food.
Since dry air tends to aggravate the itching of eczema or dermatitis,
keeping indoor air moist should be a primary concern of sufferers and
their families.
If you can counter dry air with a good humidifier, then forced-air
heat is not as much of a problem. Humidifiers are like air
conditioners—you really need a big unit to do anything. If you sleep
next to it, however, that's okay. Put it next to your bed.
Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac
(peacefulmind.com)
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