Hi my name is Barb, and I have dermatitis. No this is not 'Dermatitis Anonymous' but I would like to share my knowledge of the subject. I am firmly of the belief that if you possess an ailment you should learn as much as you can about both the condition and its various forms of treatment. Only then can you control the condition and stop the condition controlling you.

The problem with a varied ailment such as dermatitis is that there are so many opinions out there suggesting one form of treatment over another!so much so that it becomes overwhelming. This is why I want to share my knowledge base to anyone that suffers from dermatitis, or anyone who knows someone who does. Hopefully this will help you learn how to best tackle the condition head on!

HOW TO HANDLE CONTACT DERMATITIS

The inflammation caused by contact dermatitis is largely a result of either contact with an irritating chemical, or an allergic reaction. Removing contact with the 'irritant' or 'allergic' is clearly the primary means of treating the problem. This is great for future avoidance; however, it does nothing to reduce the current inflammation which can stay present for up to 6 weeks.

Doctors and dermatologists alike will first prescribe the daily use of moisturizing cream; a technique extremely effective in rehydrating the skin and therefore reducing itchiness. The problem is that the most medical experts recommend the use of Sorbolene creams which themselves commonly elicit allergic reactions. It is for this reason that the recommendation of 100% natural skin balms is a much safer option, due to the low percentage of unnecessary reactions and the exceptional hydration properties they posses.

DEALING WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Atopic dermatitis is usually found in infants and small children, but in some cases it carries through to adulthood. Atopic dermatitis causes a pinkish-red, flakey rash that can get lumpy, weepy and crusty. In adult occurrences this is found mostly in the elbows, behind the knees, and/or on wrists and hands. It is a disorder that can't be cured, only managed.

In accordance with the ever-present characteristics of atopic dermatitis, medical experts often jump the gun and prescribe a varied array of corticosteroid creams and ointments to counter irritation. However there is a fair amount of danger surrounding the use of such creams. Like all forms of steroids, their use goes hand-in-hand with a overwhelming list of potential side effects. These include and are not limited to:

- High Blood Pressure - Poor Immune Defense - Pancreatitis - Abdominal Pain - Sleeplessness - Skin thinning (atrophy) and stretch marks (striae) - Easy bruising and tearing of the skin - Perioral dermatitis (rash around the mouth) - Enlarged blood vessels (telangiectasia) - Susceptibility to skin infections - Disguising infection e.g. tinea incognito - Allergy to the steroid cream

THE ANSWERS LIE IN NATURAL SKIN BALMS

The deeper we probe into this topic, the more obvious it becomes, medical opinions can not be taken lightly and always require independent, alternative, cross analysis. With regards to dermatitis it makes sense that the closer a treatment is to nature, the more in line it is with the body, and therefore, the more effective it is likely to be. For this reason it is wise to listen more carefully to the advice offered by natural therapists and their unanimous voices reign loud and clear, 'Natural skin balms are the only solution!'