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.