Dermatitis

SKIN PROBLEMS

Acne

Abrasions, skin scratches

Eczema  

Dermatitis

Rhagades or cracks

Warts

Psoriasis

Herpes 

Urticaria

Insect Bites

Irritated skin

Blister and calluses

DERMATITIS

WHAT IS DERMATITIS?

Dermatitis is a general term that describes skin irritation. It can have many causes and occurs in many forms. It usually involves dry, itchy, reddened, swollen skin with rashes. Skin with short-term dermatitis can develop small blisters, while in long-term cases the skin may develop flat papules. The types of dermatitis are: atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, nummular dermatitis.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF DERMATITIS AND HOW DOES IT MANIFEST?

Each type of dermatitis is a little different and occurs on different parts of the body. It is determined on the base of patient’s case history (how the disease proceeds) and area where the dermatitis is located.

Some of the most common types of dermatitis:

  • Atopic dermatitis. Infants have symptoms on their forehead, hair and cheeks. The changes can spread to shoulders, arms and legs. Inflammatory changes look like bright red spots, which are covered with small blisters. Schoolchildren have thick, exfoliating and reddened skin, usually where the skin flexes: inside the elbows, behind the knees and on the front of the neck. Adults have inflammatory changes on the face, neck, hair, upper body, and on joints. People with atopic dermatitis may experience improvement and then seasonal flare-ups. In Slovenia there is about 40,000 people affected. It is usually more common in males.
  • Allergic contact dermatitis. This type of dermatitis is a delayed hypersensitive reaction of the immune system. The disease occurs, when the skin is exposed to an allergen. The skin becomes sensitive after the first contact (sensitization), but the organism overreacts after the repeated contact. A red, itchy rash occurs on the skin and this can be followed by small papules or also blisters that burst and wet the skin. Crusts occur on the area of burst blisters. When the inflammation sooths, the skin may begin to peel off slightly and the next phase is the recovery. If the skin is still exposed to the allergens, it can proceed to a chronic phase of the disease.
  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis. This is a skin inflammation that affects the sebaceous glands. Is it usually manifested as dry, dandruff-affected area of the skin or as a dry or greasy scalp (dandruff) that is itchy. In more severe cases, it appears along the hairline, on the lower part of the forehead, behind ears, on ears, on the bridge of the nose, and in the nasolabial folds. It often spreads to the neck and upper part of the chest. Seborrhoeic dermatitis causes itching and formication as well as yellow flakes along the hairline and face. The structure and the secretion of sebum (oily matter, secreted by skin) are normal. It does not cause hair loss.

WHAT ARE THE TRIGGERS?

Different types of dermatitis are triggered by different mechanisms. These can be allergens or it can be a hypersensitive reaction of the body to the chemicals, stress or diet.

  • Atopic dermatitis is more common in people who are genetically prone to allergies (bronchial asthma, hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, hives etc.).
  • Allergic contact dermatitis. It appears on the parts of the body that have been exposed to the reaction-causing substances, e. g. metal objects (jewellery), cosmetic products, products for personal hygiene (soap), detergents, leather products, rubber (latex) and similar.
  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis. The condition of skin microorganisms, e.g. a number of Pityrosporum yeasts, plays a certain role with this type of dermatitis. It is more common in patients with neurological disease (Parkinson’s disease) or in patients with HIV. Genetic factors, emotional or physical stress and climate may affect its prevalence and vastness. Seborrhoeic dermatitis can appear before psoriasis or it is connected to it (sebopsoriasis).

CONTAGIOUSNESS AND TRANSMISSION?

Dermatitis is not contagious, but it can be unpleasant.

HOW TO REACT IN CASE OF DERMATITIS?

First, we have to remove the triggers that cause the dermatitis to occur. If we eliminate allergenic or irritating factors from the diet, room and cleaning products, if we sleep enough and have a healthy lifestyle, we can help ourselves also by using appropriate body products.

When it comes to dermatitis, it is very important to take care of the supplement of the fat, which will ensure protection and elasticity of the skin surface and its moisturising. Moisturised and elastic skin enables easier regeneration of the affected surface.

There are many efficient products available:

  • for moisturising the skin with hyaluronic acid, panthenol, Aloe vera,  3 to 10% urea etc.
  • for softening the skin and building protective film on the skin surface, such as extracts of vegetable oils – olive, argan, evening primrose, CBD, cocoa butter, shea butter, beeswax, lip balm, lanolin etc.
  • with ionised silver that has an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect;
  • with extracts of special kind of oats;
  • vegetable extracts with anti-inflammatory properties, such as camomile or pot marigold.

If despite self-care we have to visit a doctor, they will prescribe anti-inflammatory medication (corticosteroids) in a form of creams or ointments and anti-allergic medication (antihistamines) in a form of pills or syrup to alleviate inflammation and itching. Local corticosteroids do not cure the disease, but they temporally improve the skin condition.

Exceptional help is offered by products containing hyaluronic acid, which can bind with up to thousand times the amount of water as its molecular mass and therefore ensures substantial moisturising of the skin. Products containing extracts of Aloe vera are also the right choice for maintaining moisture in the skin and for more skin elasticity. At the same time, they soothe the skin, cool it and heal the injuries on the epidermis. Products that offer oxygen supply (oxygenation), e.g. products with active oxygen compounds, which help the skin to regenerate quicker, are also recommended.

The best choice are therefore products that hydrate (moisturise), clean, oxygenate, and regenerate the skin.

We should not forget the appropriate diet with plenty of essential fatty acids (fish, nuts, seeds, avocado etc.) that are important for the formation of the cell membrane.

ENIKAM RECOMMENDS:
OXILVER® Skin solution

Active oxygen compounds in combination with ionised silver, hyaluronic acid and Aloe vera are the right choice to moisturize and soothe dry, corneous and itchy skin. Solution and Gel ensure regeneration and supply the skin with oxygen, they have a mild antiseptic effect and they oxygenate, nourish and clean the area of application. Hyaluronic acid and Aloe vera contribute to intensive moisturising, bigger elasticity, suppleness and smoothness of the skin.

How to use:
2-3 times a day. OXILVER® Skin solution in spray is used especially on larger areas of the skin, meanwhile the OXILVER® Skin Gel is used on smaller or pointy areas (face…). In case of extremely dry, irritated skin, it is recommended to apply a light care emulsion or a drop of vegetable oil beforehand, which will provide the skin with adequate protection and elasticity.

WE RECOMMEND: