Ascertaining the best course of action when attempting to nullify dermatitis is by no means an easy task. In one hand, you have the perceived 'expert' opinion of medical practitioners such as dermatologists and other skin specialists whose views are held aloft by their educational status. In the other hand, the voices of natural therapists seem to be misheard due to their less popularized means of treatment. So who should we listen to?

CONTACT DERMATITIS: CONVENTIONAL vs. NATURAL

The inflammation caused by contact dermatitis is largely a result of either contact with an irritating chemical, or an allergic reaction. Removing contact with the 'irritant' or 'allergic' is clearly the primary means of treating the problem. This is great for future avoidance; however, it does nothing to reduce the current inflammation which can stay present for up to 6 weeks.

Doctors and dermatologists alike will first prescribe the daily use of moisturizing cream; a technique extremely effective in rehydrating the skin and therefore reducing itchiness. The problem is that the most medical experts recommend the use of Sorbolene creams which themselves commonly elicit allergic reactions. It is for this reason that the recommendation of 100% natural skin balms is a much safer option, due to the low percentage of unwanted reactions and the exceptional hydration properties they posses.

ATOPIC DERMATITIS: CONVENTIONAL vs. NATURAL

Atopic dermatitis is usually found in infants and small children, but in some cases it carries through to adulthood. Atopic dermatitis causes a pinkish-red, scaly rash that can get lumpy, weepy and crusty. In adult cases this is found mostly in the elbows, behind the knees, and/or on wrists and hands. It is a condition that can't be cured, only managed.

Due to the unrelenting nature of this condition medical experts are often quick to issue a plethora of corticosteroid creams and ointments to reduce the inflammation. However there is a large degree of danger surrounding the use of such creams. Like all forms of steroids, their use goes hand-in-hand with a lengthy list of potential side effects. These include and are not limited to:

- High Blood Pressure - Poor Immune Defense - Pancreatitis - Abdominal Pain - Sleeplessness - Skin thinning (atrophy) and stretch marks (striae) - Easy bruising and tearing of the skin - Perioral dermatitis (rash around the mouth) - Enlarged blood vessels (telangiectasia) - Susceptibility to skin infections - Disguising infection e.g. tinea incognito - Allergy to the steroid cream

LOOK TO NATURAL SKIN BALMS

The deeper we probe into this topic, the more obvious it becomes, medical opinions can not be taken lightly and always require independent, alternative, cross analysis. With regards to dermatitis it makes sense that the closer a treatment is to nature, the more synchronous it is with the body, and therefore, the more effective it is likely to be. For this reason it is wise to listen more carefully to the advice offered by natural therapists and their unanimous voices reign loud and clear, 'Natural skin balms are the only solution!'