When it comes to dermatitis (derma = skin, titis = inflammation), there are 2 main types: allergic contact dermatitis and photo contact dermatitis (this one is not so common). 

 

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the skin develops an allergic reaction after being exposed to a foreign substance. This causes the body to release inflammatory chemicals that can make the skin feel itchy and irritated.

 

Common causes of allergic contact dermatitis include contact with:

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• jewellery made from nickel or gold

• latex gloves

• perfumes or chemicals in cosmetics and skincare products

• battery acid

• bleach

• drain cleaners

• kerosene

• detergents

 

Allergic contact dermatitis can also occur when the skin comes in contact with soap or even water too often. For example, hairdressers, bartenders, healthcare workers or even Mums with young kids whose hands are continuously in contact with water and detergents often experience allergic contact dermatitis of the hands.

 

Too often, steroids or cortisones and lots of oils and moisturisers like Cetaphil or Sorbolene are used without any good results. 

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Emulsifiers, fragrance, colourants, mineral oils and petroleum-based substances tend to aggravate the condition as they upset the skin’s microbiome leaving it dry, dehydrated and impaired. The tendency is to continue to reapply more cream containing these substances to correct the condition. This senseless cycle eventually places the skin in a state of imbalance which it finds difficult to self-correct.

 

The problem can often be solved by:

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• avoiding exposure to the irritants.

• eliminating emulsifiers, surfactants, perfume, colourants, mineral oils and preservatives from your skin regime, as they can aggravate your condition.

• repairing the outermost layer of the skin using cleansers and moisturisers that are physiologic to the skin such as products containing Derma Membrane Structure.

• nourishing the skin with extracts, oils or lotions prescribed specifically for you.

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