Causes of Eczema and Dermatitis -  In the treatment of skin problems including conditions such as infant eczema it is advantageous to watch for and eliminate any obvious cause; sensitivity to external irritants (e.g. Ivy, Rhus Trees, Grevileas, household detergents, some cosmetics, lanolin, nickel in jewellery and fasteners, chemicals in rubber, leather and cement), certain foods (e.g. spices, alcohol, eggs, oranges, cow's milk), articles of clothing (such as wool or synthetic materials), cold or wind, sudden changes in temperature, nervous and emotional upsets, fatigue, and even certain drugs.

Where it is not possible to determine the cause, successful results can still be achieved without hydrocortisone by treating the skin according to its current state or condition. The Natraderm range of products is developed with this in mind.

To quote a dermatologist, "Dry skin is a precursor of dermatitis". By treating the dry skin, it is very often possible to avoid the development of dermatitis or eczema.

Clothing should be light and not excessive. Any clothing in contact with affected area should be of cotton or silk, not wool or synthetic materials.

In the anal area, where hot, moist conditions exist, inflamed skin sometimes becomes infected with a bacterial mycotic (fungal) type infection. This may be suspected if there are continual recurrences of difficulty in clearing the condition. 

Cleansing Inflamed Skin - Soap should not be used on the affected area as it may irritate the skin. Soap also produces an alkaline reaction, which removes the skin's natural acid protection and generally tends to aggravate the skin condition. This is important because the pH of eczematous skin takes longer than normal skin to recover its natural acid protection after the use of soap. Bacteria grows more easily on an alkaline medium, so the condition is easily infected.

Very Tender and Inflamed Skin - Can be treated safely with Natraderm, a very mild and gentle cream moisturising lotion which is soothing and anti-inflammatory. It is particularly suitable for young children or adults with very tender skin. In most cases, it is all that is needed. Eczema and dermatitis require good emollient creams or lotions. These products trap in the skin's moisture preventing drying and scaling and stop further aggravation of the condition caused by scratching and rubbing. In Infantile Atopic Eczema (or infant eczema) this is particularly important. It can first appear as early as three months old, quite often starting as a rash on the face, or wrists, or behind the knees. The discomfort can cause the infant to scratch and this can lead to infection. Together with the use of an emollient, the skin should be kept clean and free from possible chemical irritants. Many sufferers claim to react to the very same products designed to treat their condition. What triggers the eczema to appear varies, but it might be wise to avoid emollients and soaps which contain harsh chemicals.

Cleansing Very Dry Skin - Our cleansing bar which has built-in moisturisers, gently cleans the dry skin, after which the Lotion is used to cool and soothe the inflammation and relieve itching. The two preparations are compatible and may be used together when required. After using the Cleansing Bar and the Natraderm Lotion, application of the lotion should be repeated at least three times a day and most importantly at night.