Have you ever felt as if your skin is uncomfortably swollen, intensely dry, and completely reddish all over? It might not be the tropical heat or a humid atmosphere that is causing this unpleasant feeling. What you’re experiencing might be a case of dermatitis, which generally refers to inflammation of the skin.
In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of dermatitis, its causes, the risk factors involved, prevention, and of course, the effects of moringa for dermatitis and how moringa oil can help make your life much more comfortable.
But first, it’s important to understand what dermatitis is and how it affects the skin.
Understanding Dermatitis
As the general term for skin irritation and inflammation, dermatitis can refer to any skin irritation, but is not contagious. However, its physical effects are often more noticeable than not. These effects include:
- Itchy skin that can range from mild to wild levels
- Dry skin that can lead to blisters, crusting, or flaking
- Anxious feeling that can make you feel self-conscious
It can be extremely uncomfortable, because the itchiness can be pretty severe. Depending on the type of dermatitis you’re afflicted with, its symptoms can linger for quite a while. Others experience it during specific seasons, while some endure it while they’re under a lot of stress, thus causing their skin to flare up.
Some types of dermatitis are more prevalent in children, while other types are more evident in adults. That being said, dermatitis can be treated with particular kinds of medication, topical creams, natural oils or ointments.
What are the Symptoms of Dermatitis?
Here are the tell-tale signs to help you confirm that you’re experiencing symptoms of dermatitis. Do note that these symptoms can vary across different people, relative to the affected body part. It also bears noting that not everyone with the condition experiences these symptoms.
Watch out for these general symptoms of dermatitis:
- Skin rashes
- Blisters
- Dry and cracking skin
- Itchiness on the skin
- Stinging and burning sensation on the skin
- Redness
- Inflammation or swelling
Depending on one’s capacity for pain tolerance, going to see a doctor for dermatitis won’t always be warranted.
When Should You See a Doctor?
As mentioned earlier, dermatitis refers to the inflammation of the skin, however, it can also refer to any general type of skin irritation. There are three common variations of this skin condition:
- Atopic dermatitis or eczema
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis
If you’re thinking about the right time to pay your doctor a visit because of dermatitis, here are some signs that can help you decide:
- The condition feels so uncomfortable that it’s leading to insomnia and stress, because it doesn’t allow you to do anything productive
- The skin feels too painful
- There is a possibility of infection
- All other treatment options have been exhausted, yet symptoms persist
Serious cases, such as infection, unbearable pain, or discomfort, should be brought forth to a doctor for diagnosis.
Types of Dermatitis
Apart from the three common types of dermatitis mentioned above, here are the various types of this skin condition to better help you understand when it can potentially take a turn for the worst.
Atopic dermatitis
Also known as eczema, this type of dermatitis usually develops in infants and is often chronic and hereditary. It causes rough patches of dry, red, and itchy skin.
Seborrheic dermatitis
Also referred to as cradle cap for babies, this type of dermatitis primarily affects the scalp, although it can also affect the other parts of the body, causing dandruff, scaling, and reddish skin. The condition goes away on its own, but it can also be recurring.
Contact dermatitis
This type of dermatitis occurs when your skin comes into contact with an allergy trigger, causing irritation that forms into rashes, blisters, or itchy skin.
Dyshidrotic dermatitis
This type of dermatitis refers to the hereditary skin condition that affects the skin on the hands and feet, causing bumps and blisters that grow together and cover large areas on the skin. These bumps and blisters are triggered by allergies or stress and can be quite itchy.
Neurodermatitis
This skin condition manifests itself through itchy patches of raised skin which can be rough to the touch. It is a chronic condition that causes itching and scaling on the skin, usually on the neck, arms, legs, or anal region.
Nummuler dermatitis
This type of dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that involves coin-shaped spots on the skin, which can be itchy, fluid-filled, dry, and crusty. It usually occurs when the skin has been damaged, like a burn, insect bite, abrasion, or wound.
Statis dermatitis
A type of skin inflammation that develops due to poor blood circulation, this type of dermatitis results into having swollen legs and feet. People with this condition can also have itching, reddish skin, and open sores.
Dematitis neglecta
This type of skin condition occurs when a person is neglectful of their hygiene, allowing for the build up of scales on the skin over a considerable period of time.
What Causes Dermatitis?
As for the causes of dermatitis, every type can have a different trigger. However, some types of dermatitis and their causes remain a mystery. Here are the primary causes for the various types of dermatitis.
Eczema is caused by a range of factors. From dry skin, to an unhealthy hygiene, and the environment, eczema can also be hereditary or an allergen reaction.
Seborrheic dermatitis, meanwhile, is often caused by fungal formation in the oil glands and is also influenced by the changes in season.
Contact dermatitis, which occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant, can be caused by any of, but are not limited to, the following:
- Laundry or washing detergents
- Cosmetic products
- Nickel
- Poison ivy and other similar plants
Statis dermatitis, as earlier mentioned, is due to having poor blood circulation in the body, adversely affecting the legs and feet.
In general, the causes for dermatitis will often involve a trigger that brings about a reaction in the skin. These triggers can be in any forms of the following:
- Stress
- Hormonal imbalances, such as lack or excess
- Environment
- Irritants
Do note that these causes can vary from one type of dermatitis to the other, but knowing what can possibly cause flare ups will help you manage the situation better.
What Puts You at Risk for Dermatitis
Apart from not bathing regularly and neglecting your overall hygiene, here are some of the factors that can possibly cause dermatitis:
- Age can be a factor (as babies can have cradle cap)
- Harsh environment
- Family history
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Health and hygiene conditions
Depending on these factors, the risk for a specific type of dermatitis can indeed increase. Take, for instance, how frequent washing, drying, and applying of rubbing alcohol on your hands will remove the protective oils on your skin, consequently shifting its pH balance.
If you feel like you have dermatitis, the best way to confirm this is to see a doctor and get diagnosed accordingly.
How to Treat Dermatitis at Home
Treating dermatitis at home will be relative to the situation—Are the symptoms mild? What caused the flare up? Which type of skin condition are you experiencing?
As mentioned earlier, some types of dermatitis will leave on its own, allowing the skin to be clear from flare ups after a while. However, this isn’t always the case, so it’s likely that you turn to the following options at home:
- Antihistamine or diphenhydramine to address allergies and itchiness
- Phototherapy
- Topical creams or lotions for the relief of itching, swelling, and irritation
- Natural oils and extracts for dry skin
- Oatmeal or milk baths
- Applying damp and cool cloths for itching and discomfort
Seeking a doctor will also help, as they can prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medication to specifically target the causes. On the other hand, since dermatitis can also be caused by other factors such as stress, it can also help to address that problem to mitigate the symptoms and effects of dermatitis.
Here are some of the more popular ways to address stress:
- Yoga
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Exercise and working out
- Natural oils and extracts
And lastly, it helps to know how certain types of food can also contribute to causing certain skin conditions. Changing your diet and taking vitamin supplements, such as vitamin D and probiotics, can help address the symptoms of eczema.
Preventing Dermatitis
Knowing the causes and risk factors for dermatitis is the first step to preventing it. However, skin conditions like eczema is chronic, so the next best thing is preventing flare ups from happening.
Here are some ways to help prevent dermatitis from taking away your zest in life:
- Avoid scratching the affected area and spreading the bacteria elsewhere on your body
- Address dry skin by using natural or herbal soaps and shampoos when bathing
- Always moisturize to keep your skin from dryness and irritation
Have You Ever Considered Using Moringa Oil for Dermatitis?
The effect of moringa for dermatitis cannot be denied, as it can help address hair, scalp, and skin problems. Through our range of herbal skincare products, you get to harness the potential of moringa oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil in daily use. With powerful antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like omega, good fatty acids, and protein, you get to protect and repair skin cells. This allows you to soften and soothe the skin, keeping it hydrated and protecting it from toxins.
Check out our featured herbal products for dermatitis:
The Herbal Anti-Acne Moisturizing Soap offers multiple antioxidant properties and gentle cleansing action for dry and sensitive skin.
At 105 PHP for 135 G, you’ll experience a dermatologically tested product that provides powerful antibacterial properties through the combination of nature’s oils. Restore your skin’s elasticity and stimulate skin cell regeneration to keep your skin clean, clear, and moisturized.
Meanwhile, the Herbal Moisturizing Lotion offers herbal actives that naturally lighten the skin, providing UVA and UVB protection for people with dull, dry, and sensitive skin.
At 145 PHP for a 125 ML bottle, you get to experience a herbal moisturizing lotion that gently renews and nourishes tired skin. Protect yourself from the irritating symptoms of dermatitis by keeping your skin healthy and protected with a natural skincare solution.
Lastly, the Moringa Herbal Therapy Oil for Hair, Scalp and Skin serves to help promote hair growth, reduce hair fall, and reduce dandruff and itchiness. Effective as a hair and skin care product, this herbal therapy oil provides an antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory solution to people with oily or dry skin. It also provides soothing relief against insect bites and rashes.
At 180 PHP for a 55 ML bottle, the Herbal Therapy Oil from Moringa-O2 helps keep sensitive skin moisturized and protected for adults, children, and babies. For the symptoms of dermatitis and its different types, the moringa therapy oil can help alleviate any discomfort and itchiness, allowing you to be yourself.
For any questions or inquiries, feel free to send us a message or visit our blog page for more helpful hair and skincare tips!