Dermatitis Health Article

Prevention

Contact dermatitis can be prevented by avoiding the source of irritation. If the irritant cannot be avoided completely, the patient should wear gloves and other protective clothing whenever exposure is likely to occur.

Immediately washing the exposed area with soap and water can stem allergic reactions to poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac, but because soaps can dry the skin, patients susceptible to dermatitis should use them only on the face, feet, genitals and underarms.

Clothing should be loose fitting and 100% cotton. New clothing should be washed in dye-free, unscented detergent before being worn.

Injury to the lower leg can cause stasis dermatitis to ulcerate (form open sores). If stasis ulcers develop, a doctor should be notified immediately.

Yoga and other relaxation techniques may help prevent atopic dermatitis caused by stress.

Avoidance of sweating may aid in preventing seborrheic dermatitis.

A patient who has dermatitis should also notify a doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Fever develops
• Skin oozes or other signs of infection appear
• Symptoms do not begin to subside after seven days treatment
• Contact with someone who has a wart, cold sore, or other viral skin infection

BOOKS

Editors of Time-Life Books. The Medical Advisor: The Complete Guide to Conventional and Alternative Treatments. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life, Inc., 1996.

Gottlieb, B., ed. New Choices in Natural Healing. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, Inc., 1995.

Murray, Michael T. and Joseph E. Pizzorno. "Seborrheic Dermatitis." In Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Rev. 2nd ed. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1998.

Murray, Michael T. and Joseph E. Pizzorno. "Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)." Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Rev. 2nd ed. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1998.

OTHER

Allergic Contact Dermatitis. http://www.skinsite.com/info_allergic.htm. (10 April 1998).

Dermatitis, Contact. http://www.thriveonline.com.health/Library/illsymp/illness162.html. (10 April 1998).

Nummular Dermatitis. http://www.skinsite.com/info_nummular_dermatitis.htm. (7 April 1998).

Poison ivy, oak, sumac. http://www.thriveonline.com/health/Library/illsymp/illness413.html. (10 April 1998).

Stasis Dermatitis. http://www.skinsite.com/info_stasis_dermatitis.htm. (7 April 1998).

Mai Tran