Dermatitits

Dermatitits

Dermatitis refers to an inflammation of the skin, both external and internal. It is characterised by

redness, swelling, heat and pain or itching. Any part of the body may be affected by this disease.

The genital areas and the exposed areas such as the eyelids, forearms, face and neck are more

prone to it.

The cells of the epidermis ( the surface layer of the skin ) are normally protected from damage

by the tightly packed squamae of keratin of the horny layer. The elasticity of keratin varies with

its water content. This water content can be reduced by evaporation or by removal of the lipid

with which it retains moisture. Substances which produce inflammation of the epidermis or

dermatitis by mechanical or chemical disruption of the horny layer are called irritants.

Degreasing agents like soaps, if used too frequently over a short time, will cause dryness,

redness, fissuring and irritation of the skin in almost everyone.

Symptoms

The appearance of dermatitis varies according to its severity and the stage of its evolution. The

first symptom is erythema or redness. This is usually followed by swelling of the skin due to

oedema( excessive fluid retention ). Vesicle may appear thereafter .In case of their rupture, their

bases exude serum. This condition is known as weeping dermatitis. Later, the serum dries up to

form crusts. IN some people the disease seems to come and go without any great change in the

skin itself.

Causes

Chemical substances usually give rise to dermatitis. They may reach the skin from outside or

from inside through the blood-stream. About 100 different plants are known to be capable of

causing dermatitis in susuceptible persons. The onset is usually acute and begins an hour or two

after contact. Dermatitis may be caused by external contact with mineral irritants. This includes

most cases of industrial dermatitis which arise on the hands or forearms which actually come in

contact with the irritant.

Certain drugs applied externally such as atropine, belladona, carbolic acid, iodine, mercury,

penicillin, sulphonamides, sulphurs, tars and turpentine sometimes cause dermatitis. Other

substances causing this disease include hair dyes, bleaches, skin tonics, nail polish, perfume,

wool , silk, nylon, floor-wax and various detergents. Other causes of this disease are indiscretion

in diet, deficiency of vitamin A and pantothenic acid , and nervous and emotional stress.

Treatment

As dermatitis may appear due to varied causes, treatment also varies accordingly. If, however,

the trouble is constitutional arising from internal causes, the patient should commence the

treatment by adopting an all-fruit diet for at least a week. In this regimen, he should take three

meals a day of juicy fruits such as orange, grapes, apple, pineapple and papaya at five hourly

intervals.

After an exclusive fruit diet, patient may adopt a restricted diet for ten days. In this regimen,

breakfast may consist of orange juice or grapefruit. Raw salad, consisting of vegetables

available in season, with raisins, figs or dates may be taken for lunch and dinner may consist of

steamed vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, carrots, turnips, cauliflower, along with a few

nuts or fresh fruit. Mild puddings and desserts such as jellies, jams and pastries, all condiments,

spices, white sugar, and white flour and products made from them, tea, coffee and other

stimulating drinks should all be avoided.

After the restricted diet, the patient should gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet,

consisting of seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits. The emphasis should be on fresh

fruits and raw vegetables. IN case of a severe condition, the patient should undertake a fast on

Dermatitits

fruit or vegetable juices for three to five days. This may be followed by a restricted diet for ten to

fifteen days. Further fasts and a period on restricted diet at intervals may be adopted after the

resumption of a normal diet.

The warm water enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels during the first week of

treatment and thereafter as necessary. Epsom-salts baths may be taken two or three times a

week. The affected areas may also be bathed twice daily in hot water with Epsom salts. About

100 grams of Epsom salts should be added to a bowlful of hot water for this purpose. A little

olive oil should be applied after Epsom-salt bathing.

The patient should avoid white sugar, refined carbohydrates, tea, coffee, and other denatured

foods. He should make liberal use of fruits and vegetable juices. The combined juice from apple,

carrot and celery is especially beneficial in the treatment of dermatitis. About 175 ml. each of

these juices should be mixed to prepare 525 ml. of combined juice.

No medicines of any kind should be used. In case of trouble due to external causes, the most

effective treatment consists of applying a mixture of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda ) and olive

oil. The alkaline sodium neutralises the poisonous acids formed in the sores and oil keeps the

flesh in a softened condition.

The patient should undertake moderate physical exercise, preferably simple yoga asanas after

the fast is completed and the start of the restricted diet. Exercise is one of the most valuable

means for purifying the blood and for preventing toxaemia. The patient should also have

adequate physical and mental rest and fresh air. He should avoid exposure to cold, and adopt

regular hours of eating sleeping.

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