What is Dermatitis, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Dermatitis is a very loose term (often used interchangeably with eczema) used to describe an inflammation of the skin from any cause. Exogenous dermatitis is caused by external factors (irritants such as washing powder), and tends to occur around infected wounds or ulcers. Endogenous forms are due to internal problems, including metabolic disorders. Scratching always aggravates dermatitis and may also cause infection.

Types of dermatitis include: diaper rash, caused by the ammonia in urine; atopic dermatitis, complicated by allergies such as hay fever; infantile eczema; seborrheic dermatitis ; dermatitis artefacta, caused by unnecessary scratching (it is self-inflicted and usually indicates an underlying emotional problem). The symptoms of dermatitis vary in severity and appearance according to the cause.

Symptoms
• redness and blistering
• swelling, weeping, and crusting of skin
• itching with a strong impulse to scratch
• burning sensation

Skin-contact dermatitis includes primary irritant dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, and photochemical dermatitis. Primary irritant dermatitis is the most common type and is caused by the direct toxicity of certain chemicals that come in contact with the skin.

Allergic dermatitis involves the immune mechanism and requires prior sensitization of an individual to agents such as cosmetics, chemicals, plants, drugs, or costume jewelry. Photochemical dermatitis occurs when an individual with photosensitizing chemicals on their skin is exposed to light.

Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a chronic inflammation that runs in families with a history of asthma and hay fever. Dermatitis can occur in single episodes, or may be chronic. Up to 90 percent of the U.S. population will suffer from dermatitis during their lifetime.

TREATMENT 

Chinese Herbalism
Dittany bark and puncture vine fruit may help with itching.

Traditional Home and Folk Remedies
For dermatitis on the hands, rub them with the cold wet coffee grounds left after you have brewed a pot of coffee, to soothe.

Herbalism 
Apply compresses of verbena or thyme tea to the area to soothe and cool.

Aromatherapy 
Dilute and massage a few drops of aspic, cedarwood, niaouli, or chamomile into the affected area to ease itching. For contact dermatitis, calendula or chamomile oil.

Homeopathy 
Sulfur, for when the skin feels as if it is burning, and becomes red, hot, and itchy. Graphites, when the skin appears infected. Petroleum, when there are deep cracks with a watery discharge. Urtica urens, for a nettle rash-type itchiness. Rhus tox., for blisters that are worse at night and improve with warmth.

Flower Essences 
Crab Apple is the cleansing remedy. It works well when added to water for washing and baths. Impatiens is very useful for people whose rashes are associated with feelings of irritability and impatience. Take internally or mix into a neutral cream. Rescue Remedy, taken internally or used externally in a cream or wash, is useful for treating most skin problems.