Treatment of Dermatitis (Eczema) Depends of the Causes of the Irritation

The treatment of eczema varies, depending on the cause. Here is a list of the various common types of dermatitis and usual treatments:

• Contact dermatitis
  Treatment consists primarily of identifying what's causing the irritation and then avoiding it. Sometimes, creams containing hydrocortisone or wet dressings that provide moisture to the skin may help.
• Neurodermatitis
  Stopping scratching and avoiding further aggravating the skin are the treatment objectives. Wearing a dressing that's difficult to remove and leaving it on for a week or longer is a common treatment. Hydrocortisone lotions and creams, and wet compresses, may help soothe the skin. Sedatives and tranquilizers are another option.
• Seborrheic dermatitis
  Frequent shampooing, then carefully rinsing the scalp. Commonly used shampoos contain tar, zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid or ketoconazole as the active ingredient. Hydrocortisone creams and lotions may also help, and the doctor should check to see if there is a secondary infection.
• Stasis dermatitis
  Treatment consists of correcting the condition that causes fluid to accumulate in the legs or ankles for extended periods. This may mean wearing elastic support hose or even having varicose vein surgery. Wet dressings may soften the thickened, yet fragile, skin to control infection.
• Atopic dermatitis
  Treatment typically consists of applying hydrocortisone-containing lotions to ease signs and symptoms. If itching is severe, the doctor may suggest antihistamines. Immunomodulators, such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel), may help maintain normal skin texture and reduce flares of atopic dermatitis.
• Perioral dermatitis
  Treatment for this condition is usually with the oral antibiotic tetracycline.

Editor's Note: There is now a sound body of evidence that food allergies can cause eczema. In fact, a member of my own family cleared up her severe eczema by eliminating certain foods from her diet. This requires some detective work on your part, to figure out which foods might be the culprits. Here are two sources to explore:

• the story of nurse Jennifer Worth with a link to the book she wrote about elimination diets as treatment for eczema, and
• an important note from Psorialess.com:
  "Certain foods trigger eczema in some people. Common culprits include eggs, dairy products, seafood, walnuts, and pecans. A food diary may help to pinpoint the offending food types. Cow's milk can cause eczema in babies and small children; they may be able to tolerate goat's milk or soy based products. This requires trials. Many children outgrow their sensitivities by the age of 6, but others have lifelong recurrences."