Dermatitis Health Article

Herbal treatments for dermatitis

Some herbal therapies can be useful for skin conditions. Among the herbs most often recommended are:

• burdock root (Arctium lappa)
• calendula (Calendula officinalis) ointment
• chamomile (Matricaria recutita) ointment
• cleavers (Galium ssp.)
• evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis)
• nettles (Urtica dioica)

Treatments for contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis can be treated botanically and homeopathically. Specific homeopathic remedies are designed for individuals. Grindelia (Grindelia spp.) and sassafras (Sassafras albidum) can help when applied topically. Determining the source of the problem and eliminating it is essential. Oatmeal baths are very helpful in relieving the itch. Bentonite clay packs or any mud pack draws the fluid and helps dry up the lesions. Cortisone creams are not recommended by practitioners of natural medicine as they suppress the reaction rather than clear it.

Treatments for atopic dermatitis

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY. Because most cases of atopic dermatitis are caused by food allergy, the following dietary changes are often recommended:

• Identification and avoidance of allergenic foods. Foods that often cause allergy in infants include milk, eggs, peanuts, tomatoes, seafoods, wheat, and soybean.
• Supplementing daily diet with vitamin A (5,000 U), vitamin E (400 IU) and zinc (45-60 mg) or alternatively, taking multivitamin-and-mineral supplement one tablet once daily.
• Taking fish oils supplements. Adults should take 540 mg of EPA and 360 mg of DHA per day.

Additionally, flavonoids such as quercetin, grape-seed extract and green tea extract, and ginkgo biloba may be helpful for some people.

HERBAL THERAPY. The following herbal preparations may be helpful:

• Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice)
• Arctium lappa (burdock, gobo)
• Taraxacum officinale (dandelion)

Treatments for seborrheic dermatitis

Treatments for this common skin disorder include topical applications and nutritional therapy.

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY. Diet is one of the major causes of seborrheic dermatitis especially in infants. Therefore, the following dietary changes and nutritional supplements are often necessary:

• Identification and avoidance of foods that may cause allergies. Common allergenic foods in infants are wheat, corn, citrus, peanuts, eggs and seafoods.
• Eating biotin-rich foods (soy foods, sesame, barley) or taking biotin supplements. Seborrheic dermatitis may be caused by biotin deficiency. Infants often respond well to biotin treatment alone (without vitamin B-complex supplementation).
• Taking daily multivitamin and mineral supplement which provides high amounts of vitamin B-complex, especially vitamin B₆, and zinc. Seborrheic adults often require both vitamin B-complex and biotin supplements.
• One tablespoon per day (for adults). Flaxseed oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that help moisturize the skin and decrease inflammation.

TOPICAL TREATMENT. Selenium-based shampoos are often used to treat greasy scales and crusts on the scalp. Some adults with seborrheic scales on the scalp, nose, brow around the mouth respond well to topical treatment with pyridoxine (50 mg/g) ointment.

Stasis dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis should be treated by a trained practitioner. This condition responds well to topical herbal therapies, however, the cause must also be addressed.

Allopathic treatment

Treating contact dermatitis begins with eliminating or avoiding the source of irritation. Prescription or over-the-counter corticosteroid creams can lessen inflammation and relieve irritation. Creams, lotions, or ointments not specifically formulated for dermatitis can intensify the irritation. Oral antihistamines are sometimes recommended to alleviate itching, and antibiotics are prescribed if the rash becomes infected. Medications taken by mouth to relieve symptoms of dermatitis can make skin red and scaly and cause hair loss.

Patients who have a history of dermatitis should remove their rings before washing their hands. They should use bath oils or glycerine-based soaps and bathe in lukewarm saltwater.

Patting rather than rubbing the skin after bathing and thoroughly massaging lubricating lotion or nonprescription cortisone creams into still-damp skin can soothe red, weepy nummular dermatitis. Highly concentrated cortisone preparations should not be applied to the face, armpits, groin, or rectal area.

Coal-tar salves can help relieve symptoms of nummular dermatitis that have not responded to other treatments, but these ointments have an unpleasant odor and stain clothing.

Patients who have stasis dermatitis should elevate their legs as often as possible and sleep with a pillow between the lower legs.

Tar or zinc paste may also be used to treat stasis dermatitis. Because these compounds must remain in contact with the rash for as long as two weeks, the paste and bandages must be applied by a nurse or a doctor.

Coal-tar shampoos may be used for seborrheic dermatitis that occurs on the scalp. Sun exposure after the use of these shampoos should be avoided because the risk of sunburn of the scalp is increased.

Expected results

Dermatitis is often chronic, but symptoms can generally be controlled.