The term contact dermatitis simply means an inflammation of the skin resulting from contact with an irritating or allergenic substance. It’s a rather generic term that your health-care practitioner might assign to a skin rash whose cause is unknown. Symptoms can include intense itching, a red rash, thickening and inflammation of the skin, blisters that may break open and ooze, scales, and scabs. The rash often has clearly defined boundaries and is generally confined to a specific area of the body.
The most common causes of contact dermatitis are detergents, synthetic fragrances, preservatives, dyes, lanolin, nail polish, polish remover, formaldehyde, deodorants, irritating clothing fibers, propylene glycol (found in many cosmetics and personal-care products), industrial chemicals, lawn fertilizers, and nickel in jewelry.
What’s the recommended treatment? First, remove the source of the offending substance, provided you can find it, then treat the skin with soothing remedies that will help speed healing.
Note: Though poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak are considered contact allergens, they are not covered in this section.
ALOE AND WITCH HAZEL HEALING LINIMENT
Cooling, soothing, comforting care can be so very simple to make, yet so effective in relieving the irritation of skin rashes. This herbal remedy also aids in healing all kinds of skin ailments, including blemishes, blisters, bedsores or skin ulcers, boils, sunburn, minor burns, poison plant rashes, hemorrhoids, ingrown hairs, and bug bites and stings.
½ cup commercially prepared aloe vera juice
½ cup witch hazel
½ teaspoon vegetable glycerin
EQUIPMENT: Plastic or glass spritzer bottle
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
YIELD: Approximately 1 cup
STORAGE: Use within 2 weeks if stored at room temperature; within 6 months if refrigerated
APPLICATION: 3 times daily, or as needed Combine the aloe vera juice, witch hazel, and glycerin in a spritzer bottle and shake vigorously to blend. Label and store in the refrigerator. If you want to keep a small bottle unrefrigerated, perhaps in your purse, briefcase, gym bag, or backpack, it will last up to 2 weeks.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Shake well before using. At least twice per day, cleanse the affected area by spraying with this formula and patting dry with a soft cloth. Spray once again and allow to air-dry. Bonus This liniment makes a great refreshing face and underarm wash when you’re in a rush and soap is unavailable. Tuck a bottle in your carry-on bag while traveling — you never know when you might get stuck in an airport!
COMFREY BLUE BALM
A gorgeous, rich, deep blue-green balm with the heavy, spicy-sweet herbal aroma of German chamomile, this treatment will counteract the itch, redness, inflammation, and heat of most generic rashes and is the ultimate skin soother for relieving pesky insect bites and stings. It soothes and calms irritated skin tissue and encourages healing. This recipe calls for only a small amount of comfrey-infused oil, so if you have some Mend Skin: Comfrey-Infused Oil, great. If not, purchase a small bottle from your local health food store or herbal supplier. But I do recommend that you always have at least a cup of this multipurpose infused oil on hand — fresh and homemade is best, and much less expensive!
7 tablespoons comfrey-infused oil
1–2 tablespoons beeswax (depending on how firm you want the balm to be)
½ teaspoon menthol crystals
10 drops German chamomile essential oil
EQUIPMENT: Small saucepan or double boiler, stirring utensil, plastic or glass jar or tin
PREP TIME: 20 minutes to make the balm, plus 30 minutes for it to thicken
YIELD: Approximately ½ cup
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year
APPLICATION:
2 times per day Combine the oil, beeswax, and menthol crystals in a small saucepan or double boiler, and warm over low heat until the beeswax is just melted and the crystals have dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes, stirring a few times. Add the German chamomile essential oil and stir again to blend. Pour the mixture into the storage container, then cap and label. Set aside for 30 minutes, until the balm has thickened.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Twice per day, wash the affected area with mild soap and water or use Aloe and Witch Hazel Healing Liniment. To help ease intense itching, you can follow this washing with an application of apple cider vinegar diluted by half with purified water, if you wish. Pat dry. Massage a small amount of balm onto the rash and surrounding area. Continue twice daily until the rash is healed. Bonus This formula makes an incredibly beneficial treatment for dry eczema and psoriasis, accompanied by peeling, flaking skin.
Thursday, 24 April 2014
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