The Ugly Truth about Dermatitis: What You Need to Know

Dermatitis is a general term that’s used to describe skin irritation. Symptoms can range from very mild to debilitating and include:

• Reddening
• Itching
• Dryness
• Rash
• Bumps in the hair follicles
• Blisters
• Crusting and skin flaking

The most common forms of dermatitis are categorized into three main groups (atopic, seborrheic, and contact). For those who suffer, it won’t come as a surprise that there’s a direct link between the condition and poor mental health. To make matters even worse, many of the associated symptoms of dermatitis can be exacerbated by high levels of stress.

This makes successful treatment a two-pronged approach, addressing the mental as well as physical aspects of the condition.

A Global Approach to Treating Dermatitis

• The link between stress and dermatitis
• Managing stress
• Managing the physical aspects of dermatitis

The link between stress and dermatitis

There’s a huge amount of evidence that supports the link between dermatitis flares and stress levels. Even if you don’t understand the medical terminology, it makes perfect sense that, if you’re worried about how your skin looks, it’s going to make you anxious.

Atopic dermatitis is known to be exacerbated by adrenaline and cortisol. These are naturally occurring hormones that the body secretes during times of stress. They’re responsible for the “fight or flight” instinct that we all have. However, prolonged excessive levels of these in the bloodstream are known to be a precursor for atopic dermatitis flare-ups. Cortisol, in particular, can stimulate an inflammatory response in the skin—something that those with dermatitis are already susceptible to.

Stress and anxiety can manifest in many ways, including:

• Brain fog
• Tiredness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sleeping too much
• Headaches
• Restlessness
• Lack of energy
• Losing interest in things that you usually enjoy
• Depression
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Suicidal thoughts

It goes without saying that if you are experiencing the latter or have any symptoms of severe depression, you need to urgently speak to your healthcare physician.

Managing stress

While managing stress isn’t going to cure dermatitis on its own, it can play a significant role. With more than 30% of people with atopic dermatitis being diagnosed with anxiety or depression, it’s important to take a global approach to treatment.

Stress management takes many forms. Not everything works for everyone, making it a case of trial and error to discover what’s right for you. You might consider:

• Joining a local support group
• Practicing mindfulness techniques (meditation, going for nature walks, deep breathing, yoga, etc.)
• Keeping a sleep schedule to keep track of how much or little you’re getting
• Avoiding caffeine after 10 am (it takes the body around 10 hours to process caffeine, so you’re mid-morning coffee may well be impacting your sleep pattern)
• Exercise. This releases endorphins that give you a natural high. It doesn’t have to be strenuous—walking, tai chi, yoga, etc. are all great forms of physical exertion.

Managing the physical aspects of dermatitis

Of course, you also need to manage the physical issues of the condition. This is best done in partnership with a dermatologist who can advise on topical and/or medical interventions. In addition, the condition can be helped by:

• Wearing loose-fitting, natural fiber clothing. Don’t use materials that wick the sweat from the body as these can irritate the symptoms of dermatitis.
• Have short, cool showers, rather than steaming in a bath. This will help keep the inflammation under control.
• Drink plenty of water
• Keep your living accommodation cool
• Try cooling sheets, pillows, and mattress covers
• Sleep in silk pajamas

Because dermatitis is often a chronic condition, lifestyle changes that work for your condition will need to be permanent. Sadly, there’s no quick fix—it’s more a case of managing it over time to keep the symptoms under control.

Finding a dermatologist who understands your condition and that you feel comfortable working with, along with some of the self-help aspects mentioned, can be just the combination you need to control your symptoms.

Dermatitis Getting You Down? Contact Bayou City Dermatology for a Whole-Body Approach to Treatment

At Bayou City Dermatology, our clinicians are, first and foremost, experts in treating skin conditions. But, better than that, we’re also medical doctors who’ve undergone years of training prior to specializing. Our passion for beautiful skin means that when you come to us for dermatitis treatment, we take a global approach that includes providing clinical advice about managing the mental effects such a condition can have.

Don’t live with your dermatitis conditions a moment longer. Visit

https://www.bayoucitydermatology.com/services to find out more and call today to book an in-depth consultation.