How to Treat Dermatitis: 7 Things To Know

Like other skin conditions, dermatitis can show itself at any time, and you may not be prepared for it. Your skin might be clear and healthy one day, only for you to wake up to skin irritation and angry rashes the next day. Those of us with dermatitis are often faced with recurring flare-ups that can be difficult to predict. By first figuring out which of the many types of dermatitis you have, you’ll put yourself on the path to finding the best treatment option for you. Plus, with the wide variety of treatment options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But, fear not; we’ve done the heavy lifting for you! Here’s how to treat dermatitis and the 7 types to know.

1.) Atopic Dermatitis

Also known as eczema, atopic dermatitis is a skin condition many of us know. It’s characterized by itchy skin, blistering, and scaling. Normally, atopic dermatitis runs in families and can be brought on by stress or defects in the skin barrier. We recommend using a pH-balanced eczema treatment, such as our Liquid Face and Body Wash, to strengthen your skin barrier and heal your irritation and inflammation.

2.) Allergic Contact Dermatitis

From its name, you’d probably guess that allergic contact dermatitis is a kind of skin allergy. When something that doesn’t agree with you touches your skin, even for a second, it may result in skin rashes. This is especially true for sensitive skin. Anything from skin care products to poison ivy can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Once you figure out what triggered your reaction, avoid it! In the meantime, you can also wash your skin with a mild cleanser and cool water for immediate relief.

3.) Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Irritant Contact Dermatitis is caused by a harsh substance repeatedly touching the skin. A good example of this is washing your hands too often, especially with hot water and strong soap. Washing your hands too frequently could lead to irritation and itchy skin. To heal your dry hands, wash with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water and be sure to follow up with a moisturizer.

4.) Nummular Dermatitis

Nummular dermatitis is characterized by coin-shaped plaques that form on the surface of the skin, most commonly on the arms, hands, legs, and torso. Onset typically occurs between the ages of 55 and 65 and is more common in men than women. As for the cause, heat might be the culprit. Those with nummular dermatitis may live in warmer areas or use hot water on their skin. We recommend treating affected areas with a topical medicine.

5.) Perioral Dermatitis

While other types of dermatitis can occur anywhere on the body, perioral dermatitis happens around the mouth. It’s a red rash that’s slightly scaly and bumpy, which may be caused by continued use of steroids. The simplest solution is to stop the steroids, but we recommend using a gentle wash to help your skin heal.

6.) Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is also known as cradle cap in infants and dandruff in adults, so chances are you’re familiar with it. Greasy yellow or reddish scaling occurs on the scalp or the face. Stress is not your friend if you have seborrheic dermatitis; it often worsens symptoms. Try using a gentle, moisturizing dandruff shampoo to stop the flakiness in its tracks!

7.) Stasis Dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis is the only form of dermatitis that occurs below the surface of the skin. Usually caused by poor circulation in the legs, stasis dermatitis often results in blood pooling and swelling around the ankles. This happens because veins in the lower legs are unable to properly return blood to the heart. Light therapy, compression therapy, or continuous topical remedies are all viable treatment options.

No matter which type of dermatitis you may have, Sebamed can help. Dermatologically-tested and pH-balanced, our line of gentle creams, washes, lotions & moisturizers heal your skin from within. Check out our full collection here.

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