Dermatitis is a common skin condition that refers to inflammation of the skin. You can recognize it when you notice an itchy rash that becomes reddened. The skin condition has many different causes because it has many types. For instance, contact dermatitis results when your skin comes into contact with something you are allergic to, causing an inflammation. Another kind is atopic dermatitis or eczema, which occurs when your body reacts to certain foods. As a result, there is no particular cause of dermatitis. Some types of this skin condition are common in children, while others are common in adults.
If you have had dermatitis before, then you can attest to the fact that it can get very uncomfortable. However, the good news is that it is treatable and it is not contagious. Also, you can try some self-care methods to treat dermatitis and relieve its symptoms as well. Some of them include using bath oil, fragrance-free cleansers, and moisturizing the skin.
1. Skin inflammation
Skin inflammation is one of the most common signs of dermatitis. It is mainly characterized by swelling of the skin and in some cases, discoloration of the skin. It is a response mechanism of the body. When the skin detects any allergens, chemical irritant, pathogens or any other causative agents of dermatitis, the skin becomes inflamed. As a result, it produces inflammatory hormones called cytokines and chemokines. These hormones signal the immune cells to move to the skin and produce more hormones, chemicals, and radicals that cause the damage you see on your skin when inflammation takes place. After the inflammation response, that is when the healing of the damaged skin starts.
The good thing about inflammation of the skin is that you can effectively treat it using home remedies. You can use a cold compress to moisten the skin. You can also try over the counter creams to help you relieve the itching skin. When the inflammation is caused by sunburn, try using sunscreen with an SPF of 30. You can also treat it by adding oatmeal to your bath water because it eases redness and swelling. In case the inflammation persists even after trying these home remedies, you need to seek medical assistance. Persistent inflammation of the skin shows that there is a more severe condition.
2. Red rashes
Red rashes are also common indicators of dermatitis. The rashes are usually painful, and irritating. In most cases, red rashes show up when you have contact dermatitis. Your skin gets these rashes when it comes in contact with an irritant like a chemical or an allergen like poison ivy. Other causes include cosmetics, hair dyes, and leather.
The red rashes are not contagious, and they can disappear within three weeks. You can also effectively treat them using home remedies. Some include cortisone creams, cold compress, antihistamines, and moisturizers. If your rash is too painful, then you have to seek medical assistance.
3. Scaly patches
Rough and scaly patches on the skin could also be a sign of dermatitis. You may mistake it for dry skin, yet it is an indicator of this skin condition. It is mainly caused by various irritants of the skin. Some of which include cosmetics, soap, chlorine, and wool.
It is normal for your skin to shed off dead skin. However, you do not see the dead cells flaking off because the outer layer of the skin is filled with moisture that prevents you from noticing the dead cells. When your skin is exposed to these irritants, they damage the outer layer, and the moisture gets out. As a result, you get crusty patches on your skin.
Try soothing the scaly patches with a moisturizer. If they do not go away, seek the assistance of a qualified dermatologist.
4. Oozing
Oozing skin rashes can be very irritating to your skin. It is one of the main indicators of atopic dermatitis. It is also known as weeping eczema. You can identify this symptom through blisters that contain fluid. In most cases, they occur in small crops of more than three.
When you have dermatitis, your skin gets itchy. When you scratch your skin often, the fluid-filled blisters are formed. If you do not take appropriate action, the rashes may increase. Also, remember never to scratch the oozing rash because it provides an excellent opportunity for bacterial growth. Instead, try using moisturizers and wet wraps. You can also apply honey, which is one of the best natural anti-bacterial treatments.
5. Itching
Itching is one of the symptoms that almost everyone with dermatitis has to deal with. Usually, itching leads to scratching, which causes skin inflammation and eventually fluid filled rashes.
When your skin is exposed to external irritants like chemicals, the C-fibers in the epidermis of the skin stimulate the free nerve fibers. Once they are activated, they make you feel itchy. As a result, the behavioral response to the itch is scratching. Giving in to the itch may make you feel good temporarily. It is not advisable to scratch the itchy area because you will only make it worse. In essence, when you scratch, you give room for a bacterial infection that will delay the healing process. Try using a thick moisturizer, cold compress, hydrocortisone, and wet wraps to ease the itch.
6. Crusting sores
The crusting sores that form on the skin are usually a result of oozing rashes. When the oozing rashes dry up, they leave crusting sores. In some cases, the scaly patches can develop into crusty sores. For some people, the crusty sores can be itchy, scratching them can make the sores to start bleeding. You need to be very keen when dealing with crusty sores. Without proper care, they can be infected by bacteria.
To heal the crusty sores, try applying vinegar or antibiotic ointment on the affected area. Tea tree oil or olive oil can also serve as excellent remedies. Try as much as you can not to scratch the crusting sores if you want it to heal faster.
7. Blisters
They are also vivid symptoms of dermatitis. A blister is a small raised part of the skin that is filled with fluid between layers of the skin. In most cases, it can get very itchy. Never fall into the temptation of scratching it. When you scratch the blister, it will burst, and this increases chances of getting it infected.
The blisters can last from two days to four weeks. They usually burst by themselves sometimes. As a result, make sure the blister is fully drained before covering it with dressing or plaster. You can treat them using self-care remedies like applying a moisturizer, taking lukewarm baths, using mild soaps, and avoiding rapid temperature changes.
