Dermatitis or Eczema

Dermatitis (also known as Eczema) affects about one in every five people at some time in their lives. It is a chronically relapsing skin disorder. The clinical presentation varies from mild to severe.
Dermatitis can be acute or chronic or both.
  • Acute eczema (or dermatitis) refers to a rapidly evolving red rash which may be blistered, swollen and extremely itchy
  • Chronic eczema (or dermatitis) refers to longstanding irritable areas. They are often darker than the surrounding skin, thickened (lichenified) and much scratched

Reasons for Dermatitis:

  • Family history of allergy and atopy
  • Asthma
  • Hay Fever
  • Urticaria (hives)
  • Food allergies and air-born allergies (eg. pollen)
  • Psychological stress can provoke or aggravate dermatitis, presumably by suppressing normal immune mechanisms

Treatments include: adequate skin hydration, avoidance of allergy causing agents, topical anti-inflammatory medications, antihistamines, antibiotics and/or nutritional advice where appropriate regarding food allergies.