The 3 most common types of Dermatitis to watch out for

Dermatitis is a term used by dermatologists to describe a common form of skin irritation. Dermatitis comes in many forms and usually causes itchiness, discomfort, dry skin, redness and a rash. In more severe cases Dermatitis may cause the skin to blister, become painful and flake off.

While Dermatitis isn’t contagious or life threatening, it is important to identify and control the symptoms as it can leave you self-conscious, uncomfortable and in pain.

The three most common types of Dermatitis to look out for are:

Seborrheic Dermatitis is a common skin condition that mainly effects areas of your scalp. It can cause itching, scaly red patches and dandruff. On occasion, Seborrheic Dermatitis can affect other areas of your body such as your face, nose, ears, eyelids and eyebrows.

The most common symptoms of Seborrheic Dermatitis are:

– Dandruff – tiny flakes of skin from your scalp, hair, facial hair or eyebrows.
– Redness
– Itchy Skin

While Seborrheic Dermatitis can sometimes disappear on its own, this can be accelerated with proper treatment such as:

– Deeply cleansing your hair and scalp with special shampoos and conditioners
– Massaging Emu oil into the effected areas daily.

Atopic Dermatitis, commonly known as Eczema is by far one of the most common and well-known skin conditions. It is more common amongst children but can flare up at any age.

The most common symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis can vary from person to person but the general symptoms include:

– Itchy skin – especially at night
– Dry skin
– Red patches, particularly on the hands, feet and the joints.
– Raised bumps
– Thickened flaky skin

While there is no cure for Atopic Dermatitis, it is still possible to apply treatment in order to prevent sporadic flare ups. This can be done by:

– Moisturizing your skin with emu oil and/or prescription ointments and lotions.
– Avoiding triggers such as excessive sweating, certain soaps and detergents that can cause irritation, dust and pollen
– Identify potential food allergies

Contact Dermatitis is a red itchy rash that occurs when direct contact is made between your body and a substance that you are allergic to. Many substances can cause allergic reactions such as certain cosmetics, fragrances from perfume or cleaning products, certain types of metals, or plants and animals.

After contact has been made with an allergen, a Contact Dermatitis symptom can develop within minutes to hours of exposure and can last for multiple weeks. The main types of Contact Dermatitis Symptoms to look out for are:

– Redness and a rash
– Dry itchy skin
– Swelling
– Blisters, sometimes oozing.

If you develop a rash that does not disappear within three weeks, grows over time or is painful, it is important to see a medical professional, otherwise it is possible to prevent or reduce the effects of Contact Dermatitis by:

– Avoiding known allergens
– Wearing protective clothing such as long pants and gloves
– Wash your hands and skin regularly with a hypoallergenic soap
– Apply emu oil gently to the affected area