Sensitive to Cosmetics?
Tips for Preventing Contact Dermatitis
Skin care products, makeup, perfumes and other cosmetics are a large part of our life.
Here are some practical tips which can reduce your chances of experiencing skin reactions to cosmetics:
1) Look for products that are hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Select products with simple formulas, thus fewer ingredients. This will help you narrow down the offending ingredient if you experience a problem.
2) Try a skin test by applying the product to your inner wrist and wait 24 hours to see if you develop a negative reaction.
3) If you use a product that irritates your skin - Stop applying any cosmetics to the affected area at once. If the irritated area does not clear up in a few days or gets worse contact a dermatologist for treatment options.
4) Do not share makeup or makeup applicators. Use disposable applicators whenever available. Clean reusable applicators frequently.
5) Discard outdated products. Many products require preservatives. Over time they may no longer be effective against bacterial contamination.
6) Perfumes and fragrances are frequently a cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Try putting these on your clothing rather than on your skin.
7) Follow the product's directions for use and any warning labels. Avoid excessive or […]

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Tip! The best treatment for diaper dermatitis is to prevent it from starting. Using absorbent disposable diapers easiest does this.
Also known as Acute Moist Dermatitis or Moist Eczema, Hot Spots can seemingly appear spontaneously anywhere on a dog's body and the area involved can rapidly spread. This raw, unsightly skin disorder has a variety of causes but the most consistent factor is a bacterial infection. There are a number of kinds of bacteria that can be cultured from a ?hot spot' and fortunately most respond to oral and topical antibiotics. Anything that irritates or breaks the skin can create the right environment for bacterial contamination if the skin surface is wet. The body's response is either to itch or become inflamed. The itching then causes the dog to lick or chew the area, which further damages the skin, and creates a cycle of itching, scratching and chewing. If left to develop the infection goes into the deep layers of the skin.
Tip! Perioral dermatitis is a skin problem around the mouth. This may also appear on the nose and chin.
Hot spots tend to occur most often in the summer months, and dogs with matted, dirty coats are at greater risk of […]

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DIAPER DERMATITIS

Definition:

Diaper dermatitis or diaper rash is an irritation of the skin covering the groin, lower stomach, upper thighs and buttocks. This condition is seen more commonly in infants and early childhood prior to 2 years of age. Diaper dermatitis usually occurs between one and two months of age and may continue until the child no longer wears diapers

Symptoms:

The symptoms of diaper dermatitis vary depending on the cause of the dermatitis, and may be different for each child that is affected. The following are common characteristics of the rash that may occur with each type of infection:

1. candida diaper dermatitis - this rash usually begins in the creases or folds of the thighs and in the diaper area, and then spreads. The rash is usually a deep, red, shiny rash with red, satellite lesions.

2. seborrheic diaper dermatitis - this rash also affects the skin folds in the groin area and is usually pink. Infants may also have this rash on their face, scalp, or neck at the same time.

3. contact diaper dermatitis - this rash is mostly seen on the buttocks and may extend to the thighs, stomach, and waist area

Causes:

1. We all have a natural protective film of oil on our skin. If this oil is removed the skin becomes red, irritated, cracked and inflamed. When a person's skin is exposed to urine or feces for prolonged periods, the natural skin oil is removed causing diaper dermatitis.

2. After the skin becomes red and inflamed, the skin becomes predisposed to infection. Both bacteria and yeast can infect the inflamed cracked skin

Prevention:

1. The best treatment for diaper dermatitis is to prevent it from starting. Using absorbent disposable diapers easiest does this. These do not allow urine to come into contact with the skin. Modern absorbent disposable diapers can hold large amounts of urine and keep it away from the skin.

2. If you plan to use reusable diapers, they must be changed each time after they become wet or every one to two hours.

Treatment:

1.Keep the diaper area as dry as possible by using absorbent disposable diapers or by frequent changes of conventional diapers. Triple paste is an ointment that can be applied to the diapered area with every diaper change.

2.Lotrimin cream can be used for diaper rash and can be purchased without a prescription. Do not use a medication named Lotrisone, even if given to you by your doctor. This medication can do irreversible harm if applied to the groin area of a child.

Foot dermatitis: it can turn your attention to a major foot care:

This problem can affect the feet entirely as it causes a serious disorder to skin of the feet. It can be caused by excessive dry skin that is a result of excessive bathing, hand washing, sweating or swimming. If one is into an excessive contact of cosmetics, detergents or deodorants or cleansers then there can be a problem excessive dryness of the skin again leading to dermatitis. An exposure to high humidity can also affect the skin as it can result into skin exfoliation. In some cases it was found that consumption of tobacco and smoking were also causes of this problem. Wearing some specific type of footwear can also be a cause for this problem. In extreme temperatures this problem becomes more obvious.

Where does it affect?

If the problem is related to sole then there are yellow patches with a red base that can cause an itchy peeling of the skin that can last for several months. If front part of foot is affected then there is a red itchy scaly eruption with other problems like vesicles and crusting of the feet. If the entire foot is affected then it is observed that there are multiple red papules on the foot. In some cases this problem can occur with very small children and it can make them too sensitive to everything. It was observed that some children have developed fever and hypertension resulting into mucus in membranes. There is an entire description of regulation of fluid in the body. In some cases the spread of infection till the legs it can lead to purple and brown plaques in the feet and legs. In the case of occurrence of nodules surgery is advised but it is seen that the problem may reoccur in patients.

How to get rid of this problem?

Even if there is a little insignificant rash on the feet then it should be considered because it can lead to foot dermatitis at anytime. If one is detected with the problem then it should begin with the appropriate ointments suggested by the physician. Appropriate type of lubricants should be used so that the moisture content in the feet is maintained. In some severe cases doctors advice the patients with an oral dosage of medicines so that dryness can be removed from within.