Dermatitis is the most common skin disease in adults, and means inflammation of the skin. As mentioned earlier, dermatitis and eczema are the same condition.

Endogenous dermatitis

Endogenous dermatitis is the adult equivalent of childhood eczema. About ten per cent of children continue to have eczema into adult life, causing dry, scaly and itchy skin.

Dermatitis is not a food allergy. It is an inherited predisposition which makes the skin very sensitive to a number of environmental irritants including heat, dryness, wool, perfume, chlorine, soaps and detergents. The skin also reacts to internal factors, especially stress, which in adults is the most important aggravating factor.

Preventing endogenous dermatitis

Managing dermatitis as an adult is much the same as managing it as a child. Avoiding environmental irritants is very important, and by the time eczema sufferers have reached adulthood they are generally well aware of what these are. Like children, adults should not wash excessively. Showers should be short, less than two minutes, and should not be too hot. Adults should also routinely use bath oils and avoid soaps as much as possible. Mild soaps, however, can be used, and these include Aveenobar, Dove and Oilatum bar. Moisture creams should be applied after bathing. Aquatain, Aqueous cream, QV cream, 10% glycerol in sorbolene cream are all good products. Any moisture cream used should not be perfumed, and urea-based creams should never be used on open sores as they will cause stinging or burning.

It is difficult to avoid heating and air-conditioning in office buildings, but using a humidifier will compensate for the dryness.

Treating endogenous dermatitis

Topical cortisone creams and ointments are usually very helpful for endogenous dermatitis. Those who prefer natural methods may be reluctant to use cortisone creams, but it is virtually impossible to treat the condition without them. Topical hydrocortisone cream is very safe for the face, while stronger cortisone creams should not be used on the face but are fine for other parts of the body. At night, antihistamines can also be helpful.

As for children, it is important that adults avoid topical anesthetic and topical antihistamines as these can cause severe contact allergic dermatitis. Neither is calomine lotion useful.

Because dermatitis in adults is often related to stress, it can be worthwhile looking into ways of reducing stress such as meditation, relaxation therapy and hypnosis.

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