Inflammation of the skin, sometimes due to an allergy. Dermatitis is the same as eczema, and the terms can be used interchangeably.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a red, scaly, itchy rash that develops on the face, scalp, chest, and back. The rash often develops during times of stress and is probably caused by an excess growth of yeast on the skin. Corticosteroid drugs and/or drugs that kill microorganisms may help. Contact dermatitis results from a reaction to some substance that comes
in contact with the skin. Common causes are detergents, nickel, certain plants, and cosmetics. It may be treated with topical corticosteroids. A patch test (see skin tests) may be done to identify the cause. Photodermatitis occurs in people whose skin is abnormally sensitive to light. A cluster of spots or blisters occurs on any part of the body exposed to the sun (see photosensitivity). dermatitis artefacta Any self-induced skin condition. It may range from a mild scratch to extensive mutilation. dermatitis herpetiformis A chronic skin disease in which clusters of tiny, red, intensely itchy blisters occur in a symmetrical pattern, most commonly on the back, elbows, knees, buttocks, and scalp. It usually develops in adult life and is believed to be related to coeliac disease. dermatology The branch of medicine concerned with the skin and its disorders. dermatome An area of skin supplied with nerves by a pair of spinal nerve roots from the cervical (C2–C8), thoraci.
(T1–T12), lumbar (L1–L5), and sacral (S1–S5) regions.
The entire body surface is an interlocking pattern of dermatomes, which is similar from one person to another.
Abnormal sensation in a dermatome signifies damage to a particular nerve root, commonly due to a disc prolapse.
Irritation or inflammation of the skin
Synonymous with eczema in all respects. Although the lay term ‘eczema’ usually refers to atopic (see ATOPY) or endogenous eczema, there are many other causes. Susceptibility to dermatitis is genetically determined in some cases; in others, environmental irritants and allergens are implicated. Symptoms typically include itching, dryness or cracking and, occasionally, soreness of the skin. Physical signs include redness (erythema), scaling, and vesiculation (tiny blisters just beneath the surface of the skin). (See also SKIN, DISEASES OF.)
n. an inflammatory condition of the skin caused by outside agents (compare eczema, an endogenous disease in which such agents do not play a primary role, although some use the two terms interchangeably). Irritant contact dermatitis may occur in anyone who has sufficient contact with such irritants as acids, alkalis, solvents, and (especially) detergents. It is the commonest cause of occupational dermatitis in hairdressers, nurses, cooks, etc. (See also napkin rash.) In allergic contact dermatitis skin changes resembling those of eczema develop as a delayed (type IV) reaction to a particular allergen, which may be present at low concentrations. Common examples include nickel dermatitis (from costume jewellery, clothing fasteners, zips, etc.) and fragrance allergy (from toiletries, deodorants, perfumes, etc.). Treatment of dermatitis depends on identifying the allergen by *patch testing and removing the cause, which is not always possible.
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an uncommon very itchy rash with symmetrical blistering, especially on the knees, elbows, buttocks, and shoulders. It is associated with *gluten sensitivity and responds well to treatment with dapsone or a gluten-free diet.
inflammation of the skin; many causes.
Redness and possible blistering caused by a sensitive substance such as chromium, nickel, other metals, rubber, paints, cosmetic materials, plants (primula), house dust mites, aerosols, deodorants, photocopying, dyes in clothing, etc. A patch test establishes diagnosis. A suspected irritant is applied to the skin and after two days its reaction is noted. If inflammation is present the test is positive. Symptoms may include vesicles with weeping, scaling, and presence of dropsy.
In a study of 612 patients attending the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, more than half of the women who had ears pierced reported skin reactions to metallic jewellery, while a third had sensitivity to nickel. (British Journal of Dermatology, Jan 1992)
Treatment. Remove article or cause of irritation. Garlic is claimed to be successful, either in diet or by capsule when the condition is caused by histamines. Other agents: Betony, Burdock leaves, Chickweed, Dandelion, Figwort, Gotu Kola, Plantain, Red Clover.
Internal. Burdock tea. Clivers tea.
Tablets/capsules. Garlic, Devil’s Claw, Blue Flag.
Topical. Avoid use of Calamine, if possible. Creams or salves: Aloe Vera, Comfrey, Evening Primrose, Witch Hazel, Jojoba. All are alternatives to corticosteroids.
Tamus (Black Bryony) tincture. Distilled extract of Witch Hazel. ... dermatitis, contact
Erythroderma. Redness and thickening of the skin which later peels off in layers (desquamation). Follows some chronic skin disorders: leukaemia, Hodgkin’s disease or fungoid invasion. May involve the whole of the body.
Alternatives. Teas. Betony, Burdock leaves, Bogbean, Chickweed, Clivers, Dandelion, Gotu Kola, Ground Ivy, Figwort, Red Clover, Violet, Yarrow.
Cold tea. Barberry bark: one heaped teaspoon to each teacup cold water; stand overnight, drink 1 cup morning and evening next day (most effective).
Tablets/capsules. Blue Flag root, Burdock, Devil’s Claw, Echinacea, Garlic, Poke root, Queen’s Delight, Red Clover, Seaweed and Sarsaparilla.
Formula. Equal parts: Dandelion, Echinacea, Yellow Dock root. Dose – Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: one 5ml teaspoon. Tinctures: two 5ml teaspoons. Thrice daily before meals.
Topical. Alternatives to corticosteroids. Tamus tincture or salve – see Black Bryony. Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel, Comfrey, Evening Primrose, Jojoba, Thuja. Bran bath.
Diet. See: DIET – SKIN DISEASES. ... dermatitis, exfoliative
Red inflammation of the skin with blisters. Not eczema. Common cause: gluten, as present in cereals barley, oats, rye, wheat.
Alternatives. Teas. Betony, Burdock, Elderflowers, German Chamomile, Hops, Gotu Kola, Mullein, Plantain, Red Clover, Valerian.
Tea formula. Equal parts, Mullein, Red Clover, Valerian. Mix. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; 1 cup thrice daily.
Tablets/capsules. Blue Flag, Dandelion, Devil’s Claw, Echinacea, Poke root, Red Clover, Seaweed and Sarsaparilla, Valerian.
Powders. Formula. Equal parts: Burdock root, Dandelion root, Valerian root. Two 00 capsules or one- third teaspoon thrice daily, (500mg).
Liquid extracts or tinctures. Formula. Chickweed 10ml; Poke root 5ml; Meadowsweet 10ml; Valerian 10ml. Dose: liquid extracts, one 5ml teaspoon; tinctures, two 5ml teaspoons. Thrice daily in water. Topical. Apply dilute Tea Tree oil 3-4 times daily. Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera, Vitamin E cream, Evening Primrose oil, or Marshmallow and Slippery Elm ointment. Bran bath.
Diet. Gluten-free.
DERMATITIS, LIGHT. Photo dermatitis. Reddening and blistering of the skin on exposure to sunlight.
See: SUNBURN. ... dermatitis, herpetiformis
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