Because the condition was noticeable only because of the little black dress she was wearing, Amanda thanked her friend and determined that she would wash a little more carefully in that area.
Maybe it was because she was suddenly aware of it, but the patch of skin soon became itchy, to the point where Amanda was seeking constant relief by scratching. That was a mistake, as the skin in the area soon began to crack and become scaly.
Fortunately, Amanda decided to go to a doctor before things got much worse. What she discovered is that she had a disease called dermatitis, and if she let it go much longer, it could have developed blisters that ooze fluids. That’s definitely not a condition worth celebrating.
What Is Dermatitis?
Dermatitis is an umbrella term for several types of skin irritations. The early stages are usually characterized by itchy, red or dry skin. But those affected areas can soon escalate into a terribly scaly, cracked and red condition that oozes more fluids than Sigourney Weaver’s aliens.
There are several types of dermatitis. These include:
Allergic contact dermatitis, which is caused by an allergic reaction or contact with an irritating material. It is difficult to determine what triggers this condition because most people will come into contact with many substances in the course of the day. A prime example of contact dermatitis is a person’s reaction to poison ivy, a plant that produces oils that cause itching and other conditions. The skin has to come into contact with the plant for only a moment to cause the condition. Many other plants, fruits, herbs, flowers and vegetables can cause similar reactions. But living things are not the only cause of contact dermatitis. Hair dyes, fragrances, rubber, metals, formaldehyde and skin care products also can trigger the skin irritations.
Another form of dermatitis is irritant contact dermatitis. In this, irritation is caused by a substance that repeatedly comes into contact with the skin. A classic example is washing hands repeatedly and damaging skin, which may dry out and crack.
Nummular dermatitis is seen when coin-shaped red sores appear on the legs, hands, arms and torso. Men get it more than women, and it usually appears in older people between ages 55 and 65. It can be caused by taking frequent hot showers or living in a dry environment.
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a skin condition characterized by itchy, scaly, swelling and sometimes blistering skin. This is a genetic condition that is usually passed down through families. It is associated with asthma, allergies and particularly stress. Researchers believe that skin barrier defects that let in moisture and germs may be responsible for the condition.
Seborrheic dermatitis is often called cradle cap in infants. It consists of scaling that is greasy in texture and yellow or red in color, and congeals on the scalp, genitals or face near the eyebrows and along the side of the nose. When it appears in adults on the scalp, it’s known by its more familiar name, dandruff. Stress has been known to aggravate the condition in adults.
Stasis dermatitis happens when poor circulation causes leg swelling. Varicose veins, congestive heart failure and other conditions make the veins in the lower legs inefficient, and the resultant pools of fluid and blood leads to swelling, which can crack the skin, particularly around the ankles.
Although some dermatitis issues are caused by contact with external substances, many medical researchers believe its roots are an autoimmune disease that usually happens to those age 20 and older.
Researchers believe there is a strong link to celiac disease, another autoimmune condition that is linked to intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat. People with celiac disease usually have inflammation of the small intestine from eating gluten, a condition also found in those with dermatitis herpetiformis, which also causes skin rashes. About 25 percent of people with celiac disease also have some form of skin rash.
Managing the Condition
Although family history largely will determine whether you will experience dermatitis, you can deal with it at home if it strikes. Some remedies:
1. Use over-the-counter anti-itch products. Hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion can relieve inflammation and itching on a temporary basis. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl also may help relieve severe itching. Keep in mind that the main ingredient in Benadryl, diphenhydramine, may cause drowsiness and may slow the urinary stream, so if you’re planning on operating machinery, be careful.
2. Apply cool, wet compresses to the affected area. This brings much-needed moisture to the skin and can ease suffering.
3. Bandage the area. After applying an anti-itch treatment, put a bandage or other dressing over the area to prevent constant scratching.
4. Take a warm bath. This will help moisturize the skin. Some people use uncooked or colloidal oatmeal in the bath water as a way to further treat and soothe skin. A quick soak in that mixture and an application of moisturizer may help relieve some itching and redness.
5. Bleach bath – People with severe atopic dermatitis can pour about a half-cup of house bleach into a 40-gallon bathtub filled with warm water. Make sure not to use concentrated bleach. The bleach will kill bacteria on the skin, relieving irritants.
Other steps include wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing as a way to avoid irritating the skin; wearing gloves at night to avoid itching; changing laundry detergent to avoid irritating the skin from residual chemicals on the clothing; and assiduously moisturizing skin.
A final way to cope and reduce irritation is to use stress management techniques. Yoga, meditation and biofeedback have been found to be useful in helping to calm the body.
Good Nutrition May Help
Some proponents of nutrition feel the key to avoiding dermatitis may be dietary changes. These include taking vitamin D supplements, probiotics, applying rice bran broth directly to the skin, using tea tree oil, adding fish oil supplements and applying aloe vera to affected areas.
Lifestyle changes may be appropriate to avoid drying out the skin. This means taking shorter showers or baths (limiting them to 10 to 15 minutes) and making sure you use warm but not hot water. Also, using fragrance-free soap or other mild cleansers can help avoid irritation. It also pays to moisturize promptly after leaving the shower. Dry off carefully after applying the moisturizer, patting the skin dry with a clean and soft towel.
Dermatitis may be caused by hot, dry air in the home during colder seasons, so purchase a humidifier to help mitigate the effects of heated air and take an oral antihistamine every other day to help head off any itching or flaking.
Conquering dermatitis requires a patient approach that focuses on healing whatever is irritating the body. Many cases can be headed off in the early stages by paying close attention to the body, moisturizing more, eliminating aggravating factors and de-stressing.
Oh, and Amanda? She received some ointments from her doctor that helped cure her condition. She’s back on the party circuit and not afraid to show some skin.