What is the cause of Dermatitis

Allergic to Nickel Instead of Gold The most common contact dermatitis is caused by the metal nickel rather than gold. To avoid problems, buy earrings with stainless steel posts. Don't wear nickel-containing jewelry when it's hot, perspiration brings the nickel out of the jewelry. Go for gold jewelry with a high gold content, the lower the karat, the higher the nickel content. Avoid Artificial Nails Stay away from acrylic manicure products. They can cause contact dermatitis as well as eye and respiratory irritation. Bathing Tips Beware of dry skin which worsens any dermatitis. Bath in lukewarm, never hot or cold water, which can dry the skin. Use a mild, moisturizing soap with no perfumes. An oatmeal bath such as Aveeno can do wonders to alleviate skin problems. Cotton Clothing If you have dermatitis, avoid synthetic fabrics as well as tight or ill-fitting clothing. Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing to decrease itching. Dermatitis and Cataracts People with a long-term history of dermatological problems have a higher incidence of cataracts. Visit your eye care specialist regularly. Dermatitis or Dandruff? Severe dandruff is actually a disease called seborrheic dermatitis which requires treatment by a doctor. See a dermatologist if you have the following symptoms: scalp irritation, thick scales on scalp despite the regular use of dandruff shampoos, yellow crusting on scalp, or red patches on scalp or neck. Hydrocortisone Cream Always keep over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream in your medicine cabinet for treatment of dermatitis. Check the expiration date frequently. Milk Compresses Cold, milk-soaked dressings can help relieve itching. Put milk in a glass with ice cubes and let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Soak a cotton pad with the milk and apply it to the affected area for 5 minutes. Resoak the pad and reapply it for another 5 minutes. Tar-Based Shampoos vs. Light-colored Hair If you have silver or blond hair, be careful when using a tar-based shampoo. They can give light hair a brownish stain.