Rheumatoid Arthritis Support

A number of health conditions, allergies, genetic factors and irritants can be responsible for causing dermatitis. There are several types of dermatitis which are distinguished based on the particular factor that triggers the skin reaction.

Laundry soap, cleaning products, detergents or skin soaps may cause contact dermatitis. This specific type of dermatitis can also be caused by the exposure to allergens such as rubber, metal (nickel), jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances and perfume, weeds (such as poison ivy) or a common ingredient found in topical antibiotic creams which is called neomycin. Individuals develop this condition due to a brief exposure to the allergen or to a prolonged exposure to an irritant, such as those mentioned above. Generally, people who become sensitive to an allergen will be allergic to it for the rest of their lives.

Dry skin, chronic irritation, eczema and psoriasis are possible causes of neurodermatitis.

Another type of dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis is usually caused by physical stress, neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or by travelling. Varicose veins and chronic conditions or infections that affect the blood flow in the legs account for potential causes of stasis dermatitis.

The cause of atopic dermatitis is not known, but the disease seems to result from a combination of genetic (hereditary) and environmental factors. Usually, an irritable skin, a poor immune system and a genetic factor are included among the causes of this condition. Although stress does not cause this type of dermatitis, it has been proven to worsen it. Not least, makeup, moisturizers, topical corticosteroids and dental products that contain fluoride may cause perioral dermatitis.

Dermatitis herpetiformis is one of the other types of dermatitis and it is caused by a gastrointestinal condition called celiac disease. Celiac disease often results after the ingestion of aliments that contain gluten.


Adapted from the Wikipedia article Dermatitis, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki