Dermatitis is a disease that affects almost any part of the body. It is characterized by redness, heat, swelling and itching of the skin. This inflammation of the skin may be both internal and external.
The symptoms of dermatitis vary according to its severity and stage of evolution. The primary symptom of dermatitis is redness of the skin. This is followed by swelling of the skin. Thereafter vesicles may appear which may rupture and exude serum. This condition is known as weeping dermatitis. This serum dries up later and crusts are formed.
The main cause of dermatitis is the use of chemical substances. They may reach the skin from outside or from inside through the blood stream. About ninety different plants are capable of causing dermatitis in susceptible persons. Other causes of dermatitis include external contact with mineral irritants that mostly arise on the forearms and hands.
Degreasing agents like soaps and shampoos if used too frequently over a short time will produce redness, dryness, fissuring and irritation of the skin in almost anyone. Other substances which cause this disease are skin tonics, bleaches, hair dyes, silk, wool, perfume, floor wax, nylon, detergents and certain drugs like carbolic acid, penicillin, mercury and belladonna when applied externally. Deficiency of Vitamin A, pantothenic acid and emotional and nervous strain may also lead to dermatitis.
Nature Cure for Dermatitis: The treatment of dermatitis may vary according to the nature of its cause. The treatment should first commence by putting the patient on an all fruit diet for at least seven days if the trouble is constitutional. In this regimen he should take three meals a day of juicy fruits such as grapes, pineapple, orange papaya and apple at an interval of five hours.
The patient should thereafter switch to an exclusive fruit diet for nine days. Grapefruit or orange juice may be included in breakfast during this regimen. Raw salad consisting of vegetables available during the season with dates, raisins and figs may be taken for lunch and dinner may consist of lightly cooked vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower and turnips along with fresh fruits or few nuts.
Foods such as tea, coffee, jams, jellies, pastries, white sugar, condiments, spices and stimulating drinks should be avoided by a patient suffering from dermatitis.
The patient should gradually embark upon a well balanced diet after the restricted diet. This should consist of nuts, seeds, grains, fruits and vegetables. The patient should undertake a fast on vegetable or fruit juices for about four days if the condition is severe. This may be followed by a restricted diet for eleven to fourteen days.
A warm water enema should be administered daily for cleansing the bowels during the first seven days of treatment and thereafter as necessary. Epsom salt baths may also be taken two times a week. The affected area may also be bathed twice daily in hot water with Epsom salts. About 90gms of Epsom salt should be added to a bowl full of hot water for this purpose. After taking an Epsom salt bath a little olive oil may be applied.
Medicines of any kind should be totally avoided. In case of trouble by external causes the most effective treatment consists of applying a mixture of olive oil and baking soda. As sodium is alkaline it neutralizes the poisonous acids formed in the sores and oil keeps the flesh in a softened condition.
Physical exercises and yogasanas should also form a basic part of the daily health regimen, especially after the completion of fast and commencement of restricted diet. Exercise is necessary for preventing toxemia and purifying the blood. Adequate mental and physical rest should also be adopted by the patient. He should also avoid exposure to cold and adopt regular hours of sleeping and eating.
Thus we can say that natural remedies have been found to be very effective in curing dermatitis and other related skin disorders.
