Save Your Skin: Dermatitis An Itchy Fact Of Life

The second type, contact dermatitis, results from exposure to a skin irritant like detergent.

Save your skin: Dermatitis an itchy fact of life in Southern Colorado - Red, swollen and itchy is unpleasant skin to be in. Inflammation of the skin, or dermatitis, can have many causes and occur in many forms. It can make life miserable but isn’t contagious and usually isn’t life-threatening. It’s a scourge that plagues dry-skinned people — which is just about everybody at this time of year in arid Southern Colorado.

Dermatitis occurs in two basic types, says Dr. Sharon Kessler, a Pueblo dermatologist. There’s atopic, from the Greek for “hypersensitivity,” and there’s contact. “Atopic dermatitis is also called eczema; it’s exactly the same disease,” Kessler says. “It tends to be genetic, tends to cluster in families. There are three genes for it, all closely linked on the same chromosome.” People with atopic dermatitis often have asthma or hay fever as well. While there’s a genetic predisposition, exposure to environmental factors such as dryness, dust and pets, especially cats, can trigger atopic dermatitis.

The second type, contact dermatitis, results from exposure to a skin irritant like detergent or an allergen like poison ivy. Again, it’s not totally clear-cut, Kessler says, as some people may be genetically predetermined to be sensitive to nickel, for example, and break out in a rash if they wear nickel-containing jewellery.

Harsh climate a factor

Dr. Michael Babcock, a dermatologist who practices both in Pueblo and Colorado Springs, says he sees more people with atopic and dry skin dermatitis than contact dermatitis. “A lot of people who relocate here from elsewhere, from the South or the coasts, come in with a weird rash that’s a form of eczema. They’ve been susceptible to it all along but it didn’t appear until they were here” in Colorado’s harsh climate.

For people with mild eczema, some education and over-the-counter products often are the answer, he says. More severe cases may require medication. Babcock says he likes to joke with patients that he has a cure for their dermatitis: a first-class trip to Hawaii once a month.

Skin is a good barrier. If intact, it keeps out toxic agents, but if it’s broken, “all sorts of things can be a problem.”

Skin as barrier

Kessler says the three main offenders in contact dermatitis are grease-cutting dish detergent, furniture polish with lemon oil and window cleaner with ammonia.

“I see a lot of hand dermatitis, usually in women and particularly in winter before Christmas when they’ve been cleaning house like crazy,” Kessler says. “I always ask them if they’re using (brand name) detergent or any lemon-scented products or ones with ammonia. These change the environment so much it allows the skin to crack.”

Skin is a good barrier. If intact, it keeps out toxic agents, but if it’s broken, “all sorts of things can be a problem,” she says.

So what’s a person to do? Keep the skin from getting excessively dry. Kessler advises drinking lots of water; taking cooler showers — even though hot water may feel soothing to irritated skin; minimizing the use of soap — “Water is the universal solvent”; and applying a good-quality moisturizer right after bath or shower while the skin is still well-hydrated. She recommends using a thick cream rather than a thin lotion and choosing a product that contains alpha hydroxy acids.

Preservatives a problem

Babcock says people have become more aware that chemicals in products can cause skin problems, but they always think it’s the fragrance or because they changed products. “The most common cause of contact dermatitis is preservatives — parabens and formaldehyde derivatives,” he says. “Fragrance is the next most common.”

Antibiotic ointments also can cause problems. “One of the things everyone says is, ‘I’ve used X, Y or Z product forever.’ What you have to remember is a company can change its product ingredients at any time, and a person can develop sensitivity over time. You have to have exposure in order to have sensitivity.”

Dermatitis data

Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a chronic skin disease that’s most common in babies and children but can occur at any age. This red, itchy rash occurs on the face, scalp, hands and feet in infants, and where the skin flexes inside the elbows or behind the knees in older people. Skin changes can include blisters that ooze and crust, dry skin all over, raw skin from scratching, and leathery areas that occur after long-term irritation and scratching. Atopic dermatitis can be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. It can get worse, improve and then flare up again.

Contact dermatitis is caused by exposure to an irritant or an allergen and it causes red, sore or inflamed skin. Itching — sometimes severe — is common and a rash can occur; the rash may have bumps that become blisters. It often shows up on the hands, although hair products, cosmetics and perfumes can lead to reactions on the face, head and neck. Skin may become inflamed with long-term exposure to an irritant.

Also see: Dry, Cracked & Chapped Window Cleaners Hands, Fingers & Skin 

Dry, Cracked & Chapped Window Cleaners Hands, Fingers & Skin

The winter months usually mean dry, cracked, and sometimes bloody hands and skin for many window cleaners, especially for those living in cold, dry climates. Unfortunately, hot showers and hand-washing are two activities that cause significantly dry skin. Regular lotion doesn't really do the trick, it doesn't really take care of the deep, persistent dryness that sets in after a few weeks of cold weather. The best strategy has been to invest in a really good, heavy-duty lotion at the beginning of the season and begin applying it a night before bed. Dry chapped hands, it is one of the biggest skin problems in the winter season. These are caused due to reduced water and moisture content of the body due to harsh cold weather. The skin surface only holds a certain amount of water and moisture, and when it's exposed to extreme cold conditions, water content decreases and this results in dry, uncomfortable itchy hands. If chapped hands are not cured, window cleaners may face difficulty in doing work without gloves and bacteria may enter the skin cracks causing eczema or other skin infections. A little knowledge will help you to get off all these problems due to dry skin. Drink a lot of water to moisturize from within! Here are a few lotions that may help:

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream - A hand lotion for use during the day. This clinically proven, highly concentrated formula rapidly heals dry hands. It noticeably improves the look and feel of your skin. Hands feel soft and smooth after just one application. Available in Original and Fragrance-free.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream: A super-smoothing--and best-selling--synergy of 20% Shea Butter, honey and sweet almond extract, blended with the light and alluring aromas of jasmine and ylang-ylang essences. Texturally pleasing balm glides on and absorbs to help heal and protect dry or dehydrated skin. Anti-oxidizing vitamin E helps nourish. Invites even the most hard-working hands to a fresh beginning.

Lush's Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter - From Lush. Rub in as much of this lemon-scented lotion as your cuticles, knuckles, and fingers will take before you go to bed at night. inside is a thick, nourishing butter that moisturizes the hardest areas – elbows, heels, cuticles and nails. You just need a tiny dab (one pot lasts us months) of this rich lemon cream. Rub the Shea butter, cold pressed avocado oil and mango butters in to moisturize and nourish skin. Massage a bit in daily and you won't have to deal with hangnails and cracked skin any longer!

Intense relief hand cream from Aveeno: This unique, non-greasy and fragrance free hand cream is specially formulated with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal and rich emollients to help heal dry skin and form a protective glove against the elements. Unlike ordinary hand creams, Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream protects and moisturizes skin for 24 hours and even lasts through hand washing.

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream - Pumpkin Seed Oil, rich in fatty acids, combines with Olive Oil and Wheat Germ Extract to hydrate and nourish dry skin. Protein-rich Bee Pollen nourishes and rejuvenates, while emollient Beeswax holds in essential moisture.

Sudocrem Antiseptic healing cream: Sudocrem is made up in a base with water-repellent properties which form a protective barrier, therefore helping to stop any irritants (urine and stools) coming into contact with the skin. In addition, the emollient effect can help to soothe sore inflamed skin whilst leaving the skin feeling soft. Sudocrem’s formulation helps to reduce the risk of infection and contains a mild local anaesthetic to soothe the pain. In addition, it helps a wound to heal and forms a protective barrier over the vulnerable area.

Badger balm is organic salve for your cracked, chapped, rough, weathered and dry skin. This is the stuff you want with you if you are lost in some vast, uncharted wilderness. It has the mild scent of Sweet Birch and Wintergreen Oils, which have been traditionally used as an antiseptic, a muscle rub, and to ease the occasional symptoms of skin problems like psoriasis and eczema. Badger Balm is tough enough to soothe rough, dry skin, but gentle enough to use every day.

Bag Balm: In 1937, Admiral Byrd’s provisions for the trip to the North Pole included Bag Balm, which helped protect the udders of base camp cows that provided milk to the expedition amidst severe climate conditions. Helps soothe bruised, sore or injured teats & people who do water sports!

Udderly Smooth - Udder Cream for Dry Skin. Made in the USA for over thirty years, Udderly Smooth products contain rich moisturizing ingredients. Not your average moisturizing lotion - Udderly Smooth can be used on dry, cracked skin. This company does not engage in animal testing in it's products.

DIY:  Honey and Lemon Juice with Oil:  Mix 1 teaspoon oil with 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply and rub this mixture over knuckles, crusty elbows and other hardened areas. Keep it rubbing for 8-10 minutes and rinse off. This will nourish your skin and will keep it soft.

How to Treat Fingertips Cracks:

They're annoying and uncomfortable. Painful fingertip cracks are more common in the winter when the temperature drops and hands are exposed to sub-freezing temperatures and harsh winds. The small cracks and fissures are worsened by exposure to water or harsh detergents and chemicals. This can be a particular problem if you wash dishes frequently or work in a profession that requires exposure to chemicals. What can you do about this annoying symptom?

Fingertip cracks and fissures need moisture to heal, but the problem with applying simple hand creams is that it may not be enough. Your hands need intense moisture. Fortunately, there's no need to buy expensive moisture creams. Your best ally in fighting fingertip cracks is good, old-fashioned petroleum jelly that you buy at your local drugstore. You'll also need a pair of cotton gloves with a little lycra to help them conform to the skin. These are available online and in most drugstores.

The best time to treat dry hands with fingertip cracks is at night before you go to bed. Use a mild, unscented soap and warm water to wash your hands. While your hands are still slightly moist apply a heavy layer of petroleum jelly to the cracked areas and a thinner layer over the rest of your hands. Slip on the gloves and leave them on overnight. You can do this during the day if you don't have to leave the house. Repeat this process several times until you start to see improvement in the fingertip cracks. Some people notice a significant difference after only one or two treatments. If the symptoms fail to resolve with this treatment, see your doctor. Sometimes a fungal infection can cause this symptom which may require use of a prescription anti-fungal cream.

Once your fingertip cracks and fissures have healed, it's important to keep them from recurring. Moisture is the key to keeping the uncomfortable cracks from wrecking havoc with your fingers again. Although you can use petroleum jelly for a daily hand moisturizer, some people prefer almond oil or coconut oil, both of which are excellent for keeping fingertips moist. These are inexpensive and can be purchased at most health food stores and natural food markets.

Other tips? When you place your hands in water, make sure they're covered by gloves and use only the mildest, all-natural hand soaps and bath products. Avoid extremes in temperature when you bathe, particularly hot water which can be very drying to the skin and worsen not only fingertip cracks. When you go outside in cold weather, apply petroleum jelly to your hands and always wear gloves.

There's not need to suffer from cracked fingertips. With a few inexpensive products, this uncomfortable symptom can be a thing of the past and you'll be well on your way to smoother looking fingers and hands.

For those that need more ingredient advise - this may be the web page for you!

MRSA & the Window Cleaner

MRSA/Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus was discovered in 1961 in the United Kingdom. It made its first major appearance in the United States in 1981 becoming prevalent among intravenous drug users. MRSA is often referred to in the press as a "superbug."

As the cold and flu season continues to bloom, I find it is necessary to talk about antibiotics and our abusive relationship with them. The use and promotion of antibacterial household products is driven by the fear of getting sick or even just the fear of germs themselves. We should ask each other if this is rational. If we take antibiotics carelessly we can make ourselves more susceptible to illness. Also, we need to know when to take antibiotics as they are not effective in combating a viral infection or one of the fungal varieties. If you were to take an antibiotic for these types of infections, you would not resolve the problem, you would just weaken your body's defenses against another illness. We often hear the term, "Kills 99.9% of bacteria." Well, have you ever wondered about the other .1%? This special portion of the previous population is resistant to the antibiotic material used in the sanitizing substance. These bacteria have been given the informal name of a "Super Bug." Super bugs are multi-resistant bacteria that are resistant to the antibodies that are specifically designed to exterminate said bacteria. These remaining bugs are free to roam and multiply. One type of infection that occurs due to this over exposure or abuse of antibiotics is the Methicillan-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, or MRSA for short. This infectious strain often rears in hospitals and even schools. According to Medical News Today, in the past decade the rate of MRSA infection related deaths has risen by 1,400 percent. In 2005, approximately 19,000 deaths were linked to MRSA infections and it is estimated that nearly 90,000 people in the United States may be infected by the Super Bug. These rates will only be accelerated as we continue to socially mistreat and over treat our fears of getting sick.
So, this being said, I would like to take this chance to offer some suggestions for maintaining a healthy, bacteria-friendly immune system. The first thing you can do is reduce the amount of antibacterial soap and aerosols you use but continue to use soap for basic hygiene purposes. Secondly, make sure we have properly diagnosed our symptoms so as to not mistreat our infections causing further illnesses. And finally, we need to refrain from the use of antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. In this situation, take the full course of antibiotics in order to kill the malicious bacteria more entirely to prevent the reoccurrence of the infection later on. By following these very broad guidelines, we can maintain healthy, properly functioning and ultimately strengthen, our immune systems.

Hand washing & frequent wetting & drying has now been linked to dermatitis. Increased bacterial count in hands and colonization of antibiotic resistance developing in the hands of workers. Study found that dry nurses' hands were twice as likely to be colonized by bacteria. 58% of healthcare workers are said to be colonized with MRSA. Some bacteria with a genetic pre-disposition to resistance to antibiotic properties will survive. When these resistant bacteria divide, they pass their resistance on, creating entire colonies of antibiotic-resistant bacteria colonized in the healthcare workers hands.

Cuts and cracks in the skin are one of the main entry points for MRSA. The skin’s protective barrier is compromised when the skin is dry, and, as many dry skin sufferers tend to scratch itchy spots, they may have scrapes that, although not visible as a cut, nevertheless leave one exposed to bacteria. Traditional moisturizers mask the dryness by coating the skin, but they do not actually provide the needed moisture or promote healing.
A shielding lotion bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a protective barrier that locks in the skin’s natural moisture, prevents direct contact with bacteria and other irritants, and thereby heals dry skin. Although skin infections are often mild in themselves, they can spread to the blood causing serious illness. If you have dry skin, protect yourself now with a good shielding lotion.