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.
|