Where did these icky symptoms come from? And how do you get rid of them? Dermatitis is usually described as a rash characterized by red or pink skin. Severe cases can even cause hair loss. What are some of its niggling (and sometimes horrific) symptoms? And what can you do to treat it and get back to enjoying life? Keep reading to find the answers to all those burning questions and more.
What Is Dermatitis?
Dermatitis, in laymen’s terms, is skin inflammation. There are a few forms of dermatitis.
● Contact dermatitis is probably the most common. It is usually some form of irritation of the skin. The Mayo Clinic cites its cause as one of two factors: allergies or direct contact with a substance that irritates or damages the skin.
● In the case of an allergic reaction, most of what we see manifest on the skin is actually the body working to fight a reaction to something eaten or applied to the skin. Usually the immune system produces antibodies in reaction to whatever protein or substance consumed, and the antibodies, in turn, release what are called mediators (chemicals and hormones). The mediators produce those unsightly rashes.
● Your first contact with the allergen typically doesn’t produce the rash. The body usually sensitizes the skin so that the next time you come in contact with the allergen, you’ll get the rash. It’s sort of like a natural alarm system that lets you know something you’ve consumed doesn't agree with you.
● Typical plant culprits include hellebores, chrysanthemums, primroses and primulas. Chemical suspects are hair dyes, nickel, fragrances and even some skin medications.
Perhaps your strange rash or hair loss isn’t the direct result of that dodgy Chinese takeout you had last night. Maybe it is something altogether different and radical.
● Seborrheic dermatitis is much more of an anomaly when it comes to dermatitis. It can be caused by stress or something as simple as excessive hair styling. It’s characterized by oily, yellow scaling on the scalp and other areas where there is hair. It also can appear on the skin, arms, legs, chest and breasts. It’s neither contagious nor dangerous. Dandruff is a form of seborrheic dermatitis, for example.
● Hair loss is one of the more prevalent symptoms. The oil from the scalp combines with a fungus called Malassezia furfur. This inflames the hair follicles, making it harder and much more difficult for hair to grow.
● It can be triggered by a number of things. But one factor that seems to be common in a number of patients is an excessive amount of an oily substance called sebum. People who excrete more sebum tend to suffer from hair loss. The substance actually feeds the fungus.
● Some other common factors that exacerbate seborrheic dermatitis are obesity, hormonal imbalances or changes, stress, and fatigue. Sometimes something as mundane as dry weather can make an ordinarily bad hair day a long-term problem with hair loss.
● More serious causes of seborrheic dermatitis, more specifically, its symptom of hair loss are autoimmune diseases like HIV, AIDS, lupus, and neurological disorders and diseases like Parkinson's. What they have in common is hair loss.
● And in some very specific cases, head injuries or strokes can cause seborrheic dermatitis and hair loss.
Another more common form of dermatitis is eczema or atopic dermatitis. This usually runs in families.
● Atopic dermatitis or eczema is largely suspected to be the result of a combination of environmental and genetic factors. You’ve probably noticed that if you have eczema, maybe your mother or father have it as well.
● Eczema usually is characterized by itchy skin that may even blister. And it is usually worsened or triggered by factors such as pollen, hay, dust mites, animals, chemicals or other irritating agents that come in contact with the skin. But something as simple as not properly moisturizing the skin can cause eczema.
● Stress can be an overwhelming factor in causing eczema to flare up. In fact, stress seems to be the common denominator between all of these forms of dermatitis.
How Can You Treat and Prevent Dermatitis?
Granted in more severe cases where dermatitis is brought on by an autoimmune disease, head injury or neurological disorder, a more serious treatment administered by your doctor is key. But in many of the other cases, an ounce of prevention goes a long way in treating and preventing dermatitis.
● Take care of your skin. If you are exposed to the sun, be sure to wear sunscreen that will protect you against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Moisturize after every bath or shower, making sure to hit those problem areas of the skin that tend to dry faster than others. And if you have combination skin that goes from dry to oily depending on the region, consult your dermatologist or specialist to see what brands are best suited for your skin.
● Eat your antioxidants and Vitamin E. Get your fill of berries, flaxseed and other healthy food sources rich in antioxidants that are not only great for the skin, but also are equally great for the immune system. Give stress a one-two punch with a bowl of oatmeal and blueberries. Not only are you feeding your digestive system with powerful-acting fiber that will help flush out toxins or allergens, but you're also giving yourself a much-needed boost of self-esteem. Another morale-boosting pick-me-up is a morsel of dark chocolate. Who doesn't love chocolate? But dark chocolate goes a long way to helping the heart and the soul, so to speak. It releases those coveted endorphins that drive away the dark clouds of stress known to cause eczema flare-ups or hair loss.
● Change your shampoo. Choose a medicated shampoo that will fight off the scaling, breaking and damage to hair follicles other more trendy shampoos set into motion. A shampoo worth its weight in beautiful tresses will have one of the following ingredients to help fight dermatitis: zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, coal tar, salicylic acid or oil of cade. And if you can’t find it at your local store, ask your doctor for a recommendation.
● Eat more fish. Doctors strongly recommend getting more fish in your diet each week, at least once a week, to get more of those essential omega-3 fatty acids that will help fight seborrheic dermatitis and hair loss. If you can’t get the fish in your diet, take fish oil supplements.
● Doctors may prescribe vitamin B supplements and antibiotics to fight the symptoms of seborrhoeic dermatitis and hair loss directly. For skin rashes, bouts of inflammation and flare-ups, doctors tend to prescribe topical corticosteroid creams. More specifically, antifungal medications that directly attack the Malassezia furfur fungus are a direct line of defense against hair loss.
● Relax. Find what is triggering your stress and conquer it. Maybe it means treating yourself to weekly massage sessions. Try limiting your work output so that once you leave the office, you don’t look at work emails or take work-related calls. Go for a walk during your breaks, or meditate or take a yoga class. Eat lunch in the park and get some fresh air. Changing some of the bad habits that produce stress is essential. But your stress is something more deeply rooted, consider talking to a psychologist. Mind over matter.
The fallout from dermatitis can be both embarrassing and stressful. But neither are permanent reactions. You can be proactive and stop it from becoming progressively worse by changing certain patterns. Eat clean. Moisturize. Find the time to manage stress levels with relaxation or meditation. And watch what you put in your hair and on your skin. These are some simple but powerful steps that will immediately take control back of your life. And of course if it is a residual problem, speak to your doctor to find a more specific treatment tailored to your situation.