(also referred to as...) Allergic Dermatitis, Diaper Rash
Description Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin typically resulting from an allergic reaction.
Symptoms and Signs:Symptoms of contact dermatitis include skin itching, burning, redness, and swelling. Papules (small, inflamed, congested spot on the skin) and vesicles (serum-filled blisters) may also be present. The skin often weeps and oozes, and scales and peels.
Causes: Chemical irritants or a delayed hypersensitivity reaction are the primary causes of contact dermatitis. This skin condition may also be the result of exposure to petrochemicals and soaps. Other irritants can include plants (such as poison ivy, oak or sumac), chemicals used in the manufacture of textiles and leather, metal compounds in jewelry, dyes, cosmetics, lotions and toiletries. A reaction also may occur due to residues on clothing from laundry detergent. Photodermatis or solar urticaria occurs when agents require the activation by light to become an irritant and are seen as the patient suddenly reacts to sunlight. Allergic dermatitis is often caused by the ointments and applications used to treat the skin disease. Any agent can be used for years before you develop a reaction to it.
Diaper Rash Diaper rash may be caused by alkalinity of the stool or urine. Also, ingestion of foods that the child is sensitive to (usually wheat and dairy) may result in skin irritation that resolves once the trigger(s) is/are eliminated. Laundry detergent residues left on diapers may also cause a reaction. Remember, the rash is a natural, healthy response of the body as it tries to detoxify itself through inflammation.
What to Expect: Contact dermatitis from delayed hypersensitivity may take years to develop. Once the source of the irritation or trigger is removed, the symptoms usually disappear quickly. If the condition continues untreated, complications such as excoriations and infections of open sores may result. The dermatitis will likely spread and become more severe if the skin remains in constant contact with the irritant.
Remedies
Amino Acids L-Cysteine and L-Cystine are two closely related amino acids and each form is capable of converting into the other as needed. Both amino acids promote skin formation and are important in detoxification. Cysteine aids collagen production and promotes proper skin elasticity and texture. It can be found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, egg yolks, garlic, oats, onions, poultry, red peppers, wheat germ, and yogurt. If supplementing, take 500mg three times daily. This dosage can go as high as 1,000mg three times daily for one month at a time. NOTE: High levels of L-Cysteine supplementation should be for acute situations only and you must be under the supervision of your naturopath or other health practitioner. Cysteine is best taken with selenium and vitamin E (see below). Take as directed. L-Glycine is useful for repairing damaged tissues and also promotes healing. Glycine is found in most protein rich foods. If supplementing, take as part of a multi-amino acid complex for optimal absorption. L-Glycine may also be available in isolated form.
Antioxidants Beta-carotene supports immune function and skin healing. It is also a precursor to vitamin A, which is required for smooth skin. Take 25,000 to 100,000 IU daily.
Bach Flower Remedies When using Bach flower remedies, it is important to note that skin conditions, including contact dermatitis, are almost always reactions to some inner disturbance and represent your body's attempt to eliminate the problem by drawing it out of the body. Treatment should thus focus on discovering the inner root cause of the problem. The more physically and spiritually healthy our lifestyle, the less often skin conditions flare up. For dosage information, see Bach Flower Remedies, Introduction -- Preparing a Treatment. Crab Apple is the most important remedy for purifying the blood and should be used as a basic treatment for skin conditions. It can also be used if pus or abscesses are present. Pus is a function of blood purification; it is not an illness itself, rather a sign that the body is trying to detoxify itself. Impatiens is useful when itching is present. Impatiens can have a positive effect on nervousness, itching, or tingling. It may be diluted and applied directly to the skin. Olive has a general strengthening effect and can restore physical and mental functions. It has been found to be useful to treat weakened conditions of any kind, even the skin.
Foods Foods high in vitamin A and B-complex are helpful. Also beneficial are apple, avocado, black bass, cucumber, millet, rice bran, rice polishings, rye, sea vegetables (kelp, dulse, hijiki, nori, et cetera), sprouts, and whey. Fresh juices made with carrots, celery, and lemons or cucumbers, endive, and pineapple are useful. Avoid meat, alcohol, dairy, hot sauces, spicy foods, fried foods, fatty foods, rich foods, salty foods, sugar and sweets.
Food Supplements Borage oil, evening primrose oil, and flaxseed oil all have anti-inflammatory properties. Take 1,000 to 1,500mg one to two times daily. Children should be given cod liver oil (1 teaspoon daily) or omega-3 oils from cold water fish.
Herbs Aloe vera gel can be applied externally to promote healing. Calendula speeds the healing of raw, blistered skin and may be applied locally for diaper rash. Apply when the symptoms have begun to subside. Dilute 10 drops of tincture in one-half cup of water and apply with a cotton ball 4 to 5 times daily or use as a wet dressing. You may also apply Calendula ointment several times daily. Gotu kola is good for dry, scaly, crusty skin. To prepare an infusion, steep 1/2 to 1 tsp. dried herb in one cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink 3 cups daily. To reduce the bitter flavour, add honey or lemon. If using in tincture form, take 2 mL/40 drops daily. If supplementing, take 400 to 500mg daily. Impatiens biflora may be applied topically to promote healing. Olive oil may also be applied topically for acute cases Oregon grape or Red alder bark helps the liver process toxins. Take 20 to 30 drops of tincture, three times daily. Peppermint leaf tea may be cooled and applied to relieve itching and burning. An external ointment can also help. To prepare tea, add 1 to 2 teaspoons dried herb to one cup boiling water. NOTE: Avoid using this herb in any form if you are also employing homeopathic remedies. Sarsaparilla helps heal red, hot, inflamed skin. To prepare a decoction, bring three teaspoons of root and three and one half cups water to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Cool, strain, and divide into three doses for the day. If using in tincture form, take 3mL/60 drops daily. Solanum dulcamara is used in chronic skin problems with pus or of a blistering nature. NOTE: This herb is toxic. Use only under the supervision of your herbalist, naturopath, or other health practitioner. Stillingia sylvatica is used for skin problems with irritation and watery discharge. NOTE: This herb is toxic. Use only under the supervision of your herbalist, naturopath, or other health practitioner. The following herbs support skin healing and lymphatic drainage: peppermint, red clover, cleavers, yarrow, and prickly ash bark. Use in combination as a tincture (15 to 30 drops three times daily) or tea (2 to 4 cups daily). Creams and salves containing one or more of the following herbs may help relieve itching and burning and help promote skin healing: chamomile, chickweed, and comfrey.
Homeopathy Certain remedies can be used in acute situations if your symptoms fit the symptom picture of the remedy. For dosages, see the dedicated section on Homeopathy. Consult your homeopath or naturopath to determine your constitutional remedy: the remedy that best fits you as a whole person. Your homeopath or naturopath will take a complete case history considering all of your mental and physical ailments and match these symptoms with the symptom picture of the remedy. Apis mellifica: Burning, redness and swelling of the skin; may be due to cold or heat. Also if there are hot, swollen vesicles (bumps/blisters). Graphites: Skin oozes agolden-coloured fluid. Rhus toxicodendron (poison ivy) and Rhus diversiloba (poison oak): For treating skin rashes caused by these plants and for other rashes that burn and itch, with blisters and inflammation. Person is irritable and restless. Symptoms made worse from scratching, exposure to open air, and at night. Rash is better from immersion in warm or hot water. Sulphur: Eruptions usually moist and itch tremendously. Itching made worse by heat, bathing, wool, and at night. Urtica urens: This remedy can sometimes ease the whole process if taken at the very early stages of the rash when it is red and itchy, but there are no blisters (vesicles) yet.
Lifestyle Reduce your exposure to pesticides, which not only irritate the skin but lead to excess free radical damage in your body. Avoid and eliminate all sources of chemical exposure to reduce the possibility of additional irritation. Common household cleaners containing poison symbols should be eliminated. If you cannot drink it, why would you expose yourself to it? Long term toxic exposure is a silent and potentially deadly threat. And viable alternatives are readily available. Natural alternatives are available in health food stores, while vinegar or baking soda and water clean just about anything. Companies such as Nature Clean, Simply Clean, and Ecover sell viable alternatives that work just as well, if not better, than their toxin equivalents. Do not spray your lawn with toxic chemicals. Lawn spraying is an acutely North American habit whose consequences are far greater than the trivial, aesthetic gains. Think about it. You are poisoning your lawn, pets, children, and yourself to satisfy a social norm. Again, follow the above rule of if you cannot drink, why would you exposure yourself to it? Instead, welcome the diversity of life a natural lawn brings. Your children will be able to enjoy the outdoors while playing on the grass. You could even tear up the lawn and plant a natural garden with native plant species. This is a welcome trend in humanizing our urban areas. Butterflies, birds and beautiful planted bulbs make for a welcome replacement to a toxic expanse of empty space...
Minerals Selenium helps regulate fatty acid metabolism and is a co-factor in liver detoxification. Eat Brazil nuts or supplement with 200mcg daily. Zinc supports immune function and skin healing. Take 30mg daily.
Miscellaneous Bromelain helps reduce inflammation. Take 100 to 250mg two to four times daily. Quercitin has been shown to inhibit both the release of histamine and other allergic or inflammatory chemical produced during an eruption of an allergic nature. Take 200 to 400mg daily.
Therapies, Healing Aids, & More Consider an elimination diet/rotation diet to rule out food allergies. Sunbathe daily for 15 to 20 minutes or use an UVA olarium, especially in chronic cases. Obviously, sunbathing is contraindicated in cases of photodermatitis. Behaviour modification to control compulsive scratching is also recommended: relaxation techniques, aversive conditioning, et cetera. Intervention may be useful in children using a combination of time-out for scratching and tangible reinforcement for reductions in the number of body sores. Massage may help reduce stress, which makes contact dermatitis worse.
Vitamins Vitamin A promotes smooth skin and helps prevent dryness. Take 75,000 I.U. daily. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) is required for cell growth and promotes healthy skin. Take 25 to 50mg daily. Vitamin B3 (Niacin) promotes proper circulation and healthy skin. Take 100mg 2 times daily. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) is also required for cell growth and may prove helpful. Take 500mg 2 times daily. A vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) deficiency can lead to skin disorders. It also promotes cysteine synthesis (see Amino Acids, above). Take 50mg 3 times daily. Vitamin C helps lower histamine levels and sources from rose hip or palmitate are citrus-free and hypoallergenic. Take 1,000mg 2 to 4 times daily. Vitamin E supports immune function and skin healing. Take 400 to 800 IU daily.
Actions and Remedy Listings
See also Acne, Athlete's Foot, Candidiasis, Chickenpox, Dandruff, Eczema, Fungal Infection, Hives, Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac, and Warts
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