Contact dermatitis results from direct contact with one of many irritants or allergens. Common irritants include laundry soap, skin soaps or detergents, and cleaning products. Possible allergens include rubber, metals such as nickel, jewelry, perfume, cosmetics, hair dyes, weeds such as poison ivy, and neomycin, a common ingredient in topical antibiotic creams. It takes a larger amount over a longer time for an irritant to cause dermatitis than it takes for an allergen. If you're sensitized to an allergen, just brief exposure to a small amount of it can cause dermatitis.

Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis can occur when something such as a tight garment rubs or scratches your skin. This irritation may lead you to rub or scratch your skin repeatedly. Common locations include ankles, wrist, outer forearm or arm, and the back of your neck.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is often an inherited tendency. It's common in people with oily skin or hair, and it may come and go depending on the season of the year. It may occur during times of stress or in people who have neurologic conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

Stasis dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis can occur when fluid accumulates in the tissues just beneath your skin. The extra fluid initially thins out your skin and interferes with your blood's ability to nourish your skin. Varicose veins and other chronic conditions in your legs can cause fluid buildup.

Atopic dermatitis often occurs with allergies and frequently runs in families in which other family members have asthma or hay fever. It usually begins in infancy and may vary in severity during childhood and adolescence. It tends to become less of a problem in adulthood, unless you're exposed to allergens or irritants in the workplace. The exact cause of this disorder is unknown, but it may be due to a malfunction in the body's immune system. Stress can exacerbate atopic dermatitis, but it doesn't cause it.

Perioral dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis may be a form of the skin disorder rosacea, adult acne or seborrheic dermatitis involving the skin around the mouth or nose. The exact cause is unknown, but makeup, moisturizers or some dental products may play a role. Dermatitis around the mouth (perioral) is seen most commonly in young to middle age women and frequently no specific cause (stimulus) is found. However, there appears to be an association with fluorinated steroids and fluoride in toothpaste. In children, perioral dermatitis may be associated with irritation from specific foods or other materials carried to the face on the hands.

Complications Sometimes, the open sores and fissures that can occur with dermatitis can become infected. A milder form of infection is impetigo, usually due to staphylococci bacteria. Having atopic dermatitis also predisposes you to this infection.

If you notice red streaks up your arm, you may have cellulitis, a bacterial infection of tissues under the skin. Cellulitis appears as intensely inflamed skin that's swollen, red, tender and warm to the touch, with spreading, indistinct margins. Cellulitis that occurs in someone whose immune system is compromised is potentially life-threatening. See your doctor as soon as possible if you think you have cellulitis.

Treatment of dermatitis varies, depending on the cause:

• Contact dermatitis.(Eczima On Face): Treatment consists primarily of identifying what's causing your irritation and then avoiding it. Sometimes, creams containing hydrocortisone or wet dressings that provide moisture to your skin may help relieve redness and itching. It can take as long as two to four weeks for this type of dermatitis to clear up.
• Homeopathic Theraputic (Compare) : ARS., CALC., CROT-T., DULC., GRAPH., HEP., PSOR., RHUS-T., SARS., SULPH.
• Neurodermatitis. Getting you to stop scratching and to avoid aggravating your skin further are the treatment objectives. Accomplishing this may mean you have to wear a dressing that's difficult to remove and leave it on for a week or more. You also may find that wet compresses provide relief.
• Homeopathic Theraputic (Compare): Anacard., Ant Crud., Borax., Bromium., Cicuta., Cyclam., Dulca., Phosph., Sepia., Silic., Thuja., Viola tric.
• Seborrheic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting areas of the head and trunk where sebaceous glands are most prominent. Lipophilic yeasts of the Malassezia genus, as well as genetic, environmental and general health factors, contribute to this disorder. Scalp seborrhea varies from mild dandruff to dense, diffuse, adherent scale. Facial and trunk seborrhea is characterized by powdery or greasy scale in skin folds and along hair margins. Treatment options include application of selenium sulfide, pyrithione zinc or ketoconazole-containing shampoos, topical ketoconazole cream or terbinafine solution, topical sodium sulfacetamide and topical corticosteroids.
• Homeopathic Therapeutics (Compare): ARS ALB., CALC., CARB-S.,CAUST., GRAPH., HEP., LYCO., PETR., PSOR., SILIC., SULPH.
• Stasis dermatitis. Treatment consists of correcting the condition that causes fluid to accumulate in your ankles for extended periods. This may mean wearing elastic support hose or even having varicose vein surgery. You may also use wet dressings to soften the thickened, yet fragile, skin and to control infection.
• Homeopathic Theraputic (Compare): Ars alb., Calc., Carb-veg., Graphit., Lachesis., Mercur., Natr-mur., Pulsa., Rhus-tox., Sarsp., Sepia., Silic., Sulph.
• Atopic dermatitis. These red (erythematous), scaly plaques on the legs are caused by an inherited allergic condition called atopic dermatitis. Many of these areas have been scratched until they are raw and infected, with the infection triggering and perpetuating the problem. In adults, atopic dermatitis frequently involves the body creases (inside elbows, behind knees).
• Homeopathic Theraputic (Compare): Amm-Carb., Ars-alb., Bryonia., Calc., Carbo-veg., Graphits., Ledum., Lyco., Mercur., Natrum-mur., Sarsap., Sepia., Sulphur.
• Perioral dermatitis. Dermatitis around the mouth (perioral) is seen most commonly in young to middle age women and frequently no specific cause (stimulus) is found. However, there appears to be an association with fluorinated steroids and fluoride in toothpaste. In children, perioral dermatitis may be associated with irritation from specific foods or other materials carried to the face on the hands.
• Homeopathic Theraputic (Compare): Arsenic-bro., AUR-M., CALC-SIL., CARB-AN., CARB-SUL., CARB-VEG., CAUST., KALI-BRO., LACH., NUX-VOMI., PSOR., SULPHUR.

Preventing contact dermatitis means avoiding coming into contact with those substances, such as poison ivy or harsh soaps, that may cause it.

Avoiding dry skin may be one factor in helping you prevent future bouts of dermatitis. These tips can help you minimize the drying effects of bathing on your skin:

• Bathe less frequently.
  Two or three times a week is often enough for most people. Limit yourself to 15 minutes, and use warm, rather than hot, water.
  
• Use only certain soaps or synthetic detergents.
  Choose mild soaps such as Dove or Basis that clean without excessively removing natural oils. Soap substitutes (synthetic detergents) in bar, gel and liquid forms are less drying than deodorant and antibacterial soaps. Use soap only on your face, underarms, genital areas, hands and feet. Use clear water elsewhere.
  
• Dry yourself carefully.
  Brush your skin rapidly with the palms of your hands, or gently pat your skin dry with a towel after bathing.
  
• Moisturize your skin.
  Seal in moisture, while your skin is still damp, with an oil or cream. Pay special attention to your legs, arms, back and the sides of your body. If your skin is already dry, consider using a lubricating cream made for dry skin, such as Eucerin.

These steps can help you manage dermatitis:

• Avoid scratching whenever possible.
  Cover the itchy area with a dressing, if you can't keep from scratching it. Trim nails and wear gloves at night.
  
• Dress appropriately.
  Doing so may help you avoid excessive sweating.
  
• Wear smooth-textured cotton clothing.
  This will help you avoid irritation.
  
• Avoid other irritants.
  These include wool carpeting, bedding and clothes, and harsh soaps and detergents.

NOTE : Any information given above is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice. Therefore, it is very important that the patients should avoid self-treatment and rather consult the most abled and qualified classical homœopath and take the treatment under his proper guidance and advice.