Dermatitis is an inflamed skin disorder that usually appears in form of rashes. Like other skin disorders, dermatitis can cause immense discomfort to the affected person. Contact Dermatitis is also called Eczema.
The most noticeable symptom of dermatitis is a rash. However, at the initial stage, a rash will not appear. Regardless, the affected person will experience allergic reaction; and with repeated exposure, the rash will appear.
The Dermatitis rash can be triggered by an irritant, allergic reaction, or damage to the skin. The immune system, then begins attacking the skin layers causing the rash.
As many as one half of all cases of allergic contact dermatitis appear to be associated with exposure to approximately 25 agents. One of those agents is Nickel, which is found in earrings and other metal jewelry, and even in cell phones and other handheld communication devices. Nickel is the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis in patch test clinics around the world.
There Are Two Kinds of Contact Dermatitis
Irritant Contact Dermatitis
This form of Dermatitis is a non-immune reaction, which happens when the skin is exposed to an irritant chemical or physical agent (alkalis in soaps or solvents). It can develop after touching a strong irritant one time OR after repeated contact with the irritating substance. Skin that has been previously injured is more susceptible to irritant contact dermatitis. Think of this type of Dermatitis as "dish pan hands". Approximately 80% of cases fit into this category.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
This form of Dermatitis is a a delayed hypersensitivity reaction. It can develop after a person touches an allergy-triggering substance, such as nickel, cosmetics, poison ivy, bacitracin, neomycin, and oleoresin. Approximately 20% of cases fit into this category.
Contributory or predisposing factorshttp://dermatitiscontacto.blogspot.com/2015/08/got-rash-you-might-be-allergic-to-nickel.html
- Patients with a history of atopic dermatitis are at increased risk of developing irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis, it is not uncommon for such patients to develop contact allergy to common allergens, especially topical medications and nickel
- Exposure to dry air (low humidity) makes skin more vulnerable to cutaneous irritants
- Various occupations may lead to a increased risk of exposure and development of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis
What is the best way to treat Contact Dermatitis?
The first thing to realize is this -
there is no cure for Contact Dermatitis
Contact Dermatitis is best treated as other autoimmune conditions. Controlling the irritating symptoms presents the most demanding and immediate need. Topical creams, steroids, and antibiotics are often prescribed for the rash and discomfort.But prescription treatments do not treat the cause of Contact Dermatitis. To treat the cause, the person must reduce or totally eliminate exposure to the irritant that causes this allergic response. Ignoring this side of the treatment will only cause a more extreme allergic response. If you are not sure what the allergen/irritant is, then an allergy patch test will probably be needed (and performed by an allergy specialist). After the allergen/irritant is discovered, then lifestyle changes can be made, in order to reduce or eliminate exposure.
Alternative Therapies Can Help
With Managing Contact Dermatitis
Nutrition
Check with your doctor before giving a supplement to a child.
- Avoid exposure to environmental or food allergens. Common foods that cause allergic reactions are dairy, soy, citrus, peanuts, wheat (and sometimes all gluten-containing grains), fish, eggs, corn, and tomatoes.
- Eat fewer saturated fats (meats, especially poultry, and dairy), refined foods, and sugar. These foods contribute to inflammation in the body.
- Eat more fresh vegetables, whole grains, and essential fatty acids (cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds).
- Fish oil -- In one study, people taking fish oil equal to 1.8 g of EPA (one of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil) had significant reduction in symptoms of eczema after 12 weeks. Researchers think that may be because fish oil helps reduce leukotriene B4, an inflammatory substance that plays a role in eczema. If you take anticoagulants (blood-thinning medications), talk to your doctor before taking fish oil. If you're taking high-dose fish oil, make sure you use a brand that removes most of the vitamin A. Too much vitamin A over time can be toxic. The dose used in this study is very high; speak with your doctor to find the right dosage for you.
- Probiotics (bifidobacteria and lactobacillus, 3 to 5 billion live organisms per day) may boost the immune system and control allergies, especially in children. In fact, studies show that taking probiotics during pregnancy, or early infancy, can protect against the development of dermatitis. However, the scientific studies are mixed; more research is needed to know for sure if probiotics will help reduce eczema symptoms. People with severely weakened immune systems should speak with their doctors before taking probiotics.
- Evening primrose oil -- In some studies, evening primrose oil helps reduce the itching associated with eczema. However, other studies have found no benefit. People who take anticoagulants (blood thinners) should talk to their doctor before taking evening primrose oil.
- Borage oil, like evening primrose oil, contains the essential fatty acid GLA (500 to 900 mg per day, in several doses -- amount of GLA varies by supplement), which acts as an anti-inflammatory. Evidence is mixed, with some studies showing that GLA helps reduce eczema symptoms and others showing no effect. People who take anticoagulants (blood thinners) should talk to their doctor before taking evening primrose oil.
- Vitamin C (1,000 mg, 2 to 4 times per day) can act as an antihistamine. In one study, it helped reduce symptoms of eczema, but more studies are needed. Rose hips or palmitate are citrus free and hypoallergenic.
- Bromelain (100 to 250 mg, 2 to 4 times per day), an enzyme derived from pineapple, helps reduce inflammation. Bromelain can have a blood-thinning effect. Talk to your doctor if you are taking blood-thinning medications.
- Flavonoids, antioxidants found in dark berries and some plants, have anti-inflammatory properties, strengthen connective tissue, and may help reduce allergic reactions. The following flavonoids may be taken in dried extract form: Catechin (25 to 150 mg, 2 to 3 times per day), quercetin (50 to 250 mg, 2 to 3 times per day), hesperidin (50 to 250 mg, 2 to 3 times per day), and rutin (50 to 250 mg, 2 to 3 times per day).
Herbs
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider. Always tell your doctor about any herbs you may be taking. When applying herbs to the skin it is important to make sure that you have no open wounds as serious infection can result.
- Topical creams and salves containing one or more of the following herbs may help relieve itching and burning, and promote healing. The best evidence is for chamomile (Matricaria recutita). Chickweed (Stellaria media), marigold (Calendula officinalis), and licorice (Glycyrrhia glabra) may be helpful, although there is little scientific evidence to support the benefits. One study did find a licorice cream was more effective than placebo.
- Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) cream can relieve itching. Liquid witch hazel can help with "weeping" or oozing dermatitis.
- St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), used as a topical cream, has shown promise in one double blind study. People with eczema who used St. John's wort on one arm and a placebo cream on the other saw more improvement with the arm treated with St. John's wort.
- Other herbs that have traditionally been applied to the skin to treat dermatitis include Sarsaparilla (Smilax sp.) and marshmallow (Althea officinalis).
When I realized I was dealing with Allergic Contact Dermatitis, I spent a lot of time trying to learn about it. I really wanted a cure, but couldn't find anything about someone beating this auto-immune ailment. And it felt like a lot of everyday items contained my trigger-points, that are Nickel and Iron Oxide. I truly had to start making some changes in my lifestyle and daily routines in order to reduce exposure to these ingredients. But over time, all the pieces fell into place, and I have found a new "normal".
I feel most fortunate that my experiences with Contact Dermatitis is not more extreme. Many people I have met who have the same ailment have much more extreme allergic response than I have.
I guess it's all relative to your circumstances. :)
