Eczema

Eczema is an allergic condition resulting in the inflammation of the skin causing dryness, flakiness, heat, and itching. Eczema is a very common condition which can affect almost everyone. Even young infants can suffer from eczema.

About one to two percent of all adults have eczema, and as many as twenty percent of all children are affected. It generally begins early in life. Most affected individuals have their first episode before the age of five years.

Various Types Of Eczema

There are several different types of dermatitis, but the one people usually mean when they use the term “eczema” is atopic dermatitis. Atopic refers to a lifelong tendency of a person to allergic conditions such as asthma and allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

The exact cause of eczema has not yet been identified. Although, it is clear that it is activated by the immune system and is therefore related to allergic reactions, it is definitely not the same as other allergic reactions.

How Does Eczema Triggers

Common triggers of eczema are however known. Some of the common triggers are soaps, detergents, weather, environmental allergens, jewelry, creams, food handling, clothing, sweating, gloves, rubbing, bacteria, emotional or mental stress, etc. Severe forms of eczema are caused by strong allergic responses to external stimuli which cannot be eliminated from the environment.

Symptoms Of Eczema

Usually the first symptom of eczema is severe itching. Rash also appears later which is patchy and starts out as flaky dry skin on a reddened, inflamed skin. This rash itches and if it is scratched, it might become crusty, particularly in young children.

Eczema in adults appears in patches which are often brownish, scaly, and thickened. Red bumps or fluid-filled bumps may also develop, which when scratched; add wetness to the whole patch with eczema. Over time, cracks also appear which are even more painful.

The rash can appear on any part of the body, usually on the face and on the arms and legs, particularly in creases and on hands and feet. This is because of the fact that face and extremities are in contact with external agents more than any other part of the body is. The itching is sometimes so severe that it also disturbs sleep.

There are various types of eczema, many of which look similar but have very different causes and treatments. Therefore, the first step in effective treatment of eczema is to have a correct diagnosis.

It is imperative to see a general practitioner in the first instance that might make a referral to a specialist dermatologist for further diagnosis and treatment.

Once the health care provider is sure that his patient has eczema, treatment has to be started. Though, currently there is no cure for eczema and research is still being carried out to know more about it, there are many ways to minimize the discomfort and distress which eczema brings with it.

The basis of this way of treating eczema is following a daily routine of skin care. The therapies that are currently available are all anti-inflammatory medications which work mainly to provide relief from itching.

Diet restrictions are also sometimes applied and at times, chemical skin-drying agents are also used, though there success in treating eczema is not always guaranteed. For some patients with an intense eczema, who do not respond even to high potency steroid creams which are effective in normal cases, alternate treatments are tried. These treatments include coal tar, chemotherapy agents, etc.

In addition, there are many ways of minimizing environmental allergens which are commonly found in the homes. Removing whatever is causing the allergic reaction is the simplest and the most effective way. Dry skin should always be prevented by taking warm showers rather than baths.

A mild soap or body cleanser should be used. Drying can be prevented by applying moisturizing skin lotions all over the body. Lotions with fragrances or other irritating substances should be avoided. Tight-fitting, rough, or scratchy clothing should also be avoided.

Rash should not be scratched. If stooping oneself from scratching is difficult to do, the area should be covered with a dressing or gloves should be used to minimize the damage done to the skin because of scratching. It is observed that anything that causes sweating can irritate the affected area. Therefore, strenuous exercise should be avoided during a flare.

The area where a person had eczema can get irritated again easily, so it needs special care. The precautionary measures should therefore be followed, even after the affected area has been cured, for this is one skin disease which can be avoided only by following such a routine in which all risk factors which can stimulate eczema are avoided.