From Dermatitis to Eczema:
The Wellness Solution to Ravaged Skin

Dermatitis is basically a skin inflammation. It can have many causes and forms, but usually involves swelling, redness and itchy skin. Dermatitis is quite common and is neither life-threatening nor contagious, but it can make you uncomfortable and self-conscious. Occasionally, dermatitis can lead to more serious conditions such as cellulitis, an intense inflammation indicating a bacterial infection within skin tissues; as well as scarring and discolorations.

Common types of dermatitis include:

  • Contact dermatitis: a rash that comes from contact with irritants (e.g., sodium lauryl sufate) or with allergens (e.g., poison ivy). Most cases contact dermatitis are from irritants.

  • Neurodermatitis: a localized, chronic itchy skin condition

  • Seborrheic dermatitis: a common scalp condition that often
    causes dandruff

  • Perioral dermatitis: bumps around the mouth

Eczema refers to a range of persistent or recurring skin conditions which includes dryness and rashes. Symptoms of eczema are redness, swelling, itchiness and/or dry, crusty, flaky skin that might also have blisters, oozing or bleeding.

Common types of eczema include:

  • Atopic dermatitis (also known as atopic eczema): an itchy rash that tends to come and go. Atopic dermatitis can lead to impetigo, producing open sores and fissures that can become infected.

  • Xerotic eczema: a dry skin condition that continually worsens until it becomes eczema. Itchy, delicate skin takes on the appearance of a dry, cracked riverbed.

  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis (cradle cap in infants, dandruff in adults): a dry or greasy scaling on the scalp and eyebrow area.

There are many other less common forms of eczema, often defined by where on the body they occur. All have similar symptoms and can be treated in similar ways. Primarily, eczema is diagnosed based on the appearance of inflamed, itchy skin in areas such as the face, chest and skin creases.

Medical Treatment for Eczema/Dermatitis
Treatment for eczema/dermatitis frequently includes the application of corticosteroidal ointments, creams or lotions. These do not cure the disease, but can control or suppress symptoms; however, prolonged use can increase the risk of side-effects, the most common of which is the skin becoming thin and fragile. High-strength steroids used over large areas can be absorbed into the body where their immunosuppressive action can lead to infection.

Immunomodulators are another treatment used to lessen the immune response and diminish the symptoms of eczema/dermatitis, however they carry the risk of lymph node or skin cancer and other adverse reactions including flushing, photosensitive reactions and possible drug interactions.

Antibiotics are used to treat eczema/dermatitis when the normal protective barrier of the is skin broken. Infection can enter the skin and easily spread via scratching. Infection further irritates the skin and might cause a rapid deterioration in the condition.

Anti-itch drugs can help to lessen the aggravation of flare-ups and reduce damage and irritation from scratching.

Avoid Dry Skin to Help Prevent Eczema/Dermatitis
Moisturizing is one of the most important aspects of self-care for eczema. Keeping the affected area moist can promote healing and relief from symptoms.

Cleansing should never include soaps or detergent-based products because they can strip away natural oils leading to excess dryness. Using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo, such as Malibu’s Water Wellness Shampoo or Scalp Wellness Shampoo, as a body wash can be a very effective cleanser without exposing the skin to ingredients known to inflame dry skin conditions.

There is disagreement as to how frequently individuals with eczema/dermatitis should bathe. Because tap water contains minerals and other oxidizers which can dry and irritate skin, less bathing is probably preferable; however, applying a natural antioxidant such as Malibu’s EC Mode Zinc C Thera-Serum can offset the effects of water by stopping Oxidation on contact. In addition, zinc has antimicrobial properties which can be beneficial to skin that is susceptible to infection.

The Wellness Solution to Eczema/Dermatitis
There is no known cure for eczema or dermatitis.

Malibu’s Total Oxidation Management (T.O.M.) approach is a non-irritating, non-invasive method for relieving and controlling many of the irritating symptoms associated with eczema/dermatitis and for improving the appearance of affected skin. This Wellness Solution involves the application of freshly activated vitamin C and Zinc in our EC Mode Zinc C Thera-Serum.


This treatment is followed with EC Mode Red-Less Wellness Moisturizer which further soothes irritated skin and helps to repair the moisture barrier so critical to preventing dry conditions that bring on eczema/dermatitis. The combination is designed to stop Oxidation, limit bacterial activity and provide deep hydration – all vital elements of eczema/dermatitis prevention.

Applied daily, twice a day, as a stand-alone regimen or as a complement to medical therapy, this Wellness approach can go a long way toward limiting the scope and recurrence of the symptoms of eczema and dermatitis without creating the risk of harmful side-effects or adverse reactions.