Eczema

Definition

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a mild inflammation of the skin. It may occur at any time - at infancy, later in childhood, or even an adult can suffer from it. Symptoms of eczema may include red, itchy skin and sores that ooze and crust over. One out of ten children develops eczema, but more than half of them lose it by the time they reach their teens. It is a chronic inflammation of skin categorized by scaly and itching rashes. People with eczema often have a family history of allergic conditions like asthma , hay fever.

Eczema might look different in different persons, and may occur in different parts of the body to different person. In adults, eczema most often develops on the hands and elbows, and in "bending" areas such as the inside of the elbows and back of the knees. In young children, eczema most often develops on the elbows, knees, face, neck, and scalp.

Causes of Eczema

The exact cause of eczema is not known till now. Most common of them is a general allergic over-sensitivity, called atopy. This sort of eczema is known as atopic eczema, and it is linked with asthma and hay fever.

• Changes in temperature or humidity, are one of the main causes of eczema.
• Varicose Veins can lead to a form of eczema affecting the lower legs, called stasis dermatitis. This is also known as varicose or gravitational eczema.
• Fungal skin infection.
• In affected individuals, respiratory allergy to house dust mites, pollen and animal epithelia may cause skin changes if they come into contact with the allergen.
• The physical irritants, such as - clothes made of rough or scratchy fabrics, like wool may cause eczema.
• Sweating induced by e.g. impermeable clothing, hot work places or stress may lead to eczema.
• Bacterial and viral skin infections may also cause eczema.
• Chemical Irritants:- The chemical irritants, such as - pesticides, paint strippers, alcohol, astringents, perfumes, harsh soaps, detergents, and household cleaners may lead to the condition of eczema.
• Intense emotion or stress, may also cause eczema.
• Food Allergies - Food allergy is more frequent in infants and children with atopic dermatitis. The food allergies includes allergies with - nuts, eggs, dairy products.

Symptoms of Eczema

Eczema is mainly characterized by skin getting dry, red and inflamed. The area of skin that is affected is often very itchy and in some cases small blisters may form, which can weep and become crusted.

• The affected area of the skin get swell.
• Eczema may be accompanied with some other symptoms like restlessness, irritability, insomnia, severe agitation, forgetfulness, increasing allergies to foods, pollens, animals, etc.
• Eczema is usually found on the face, hands, the insides of the elbows and the backs of the knees, neck, trunk, genital areas etc.
• There may be formation of small, fluid-filled blisters that might ooze when scratched.
• The skin will get thick and leathery in the case of chronic eczema.
• Paleness around the mouth, may be due to eczema.
• The number of skin creases get increased on the palms.
• Infection of the areas where the skin has been broken.
• In women, it may be due to hormonal imbalance during menstrual cycle.
• Some people may even experience, deposition of oil on skin that is also very dry, cracking and flakey as well. These are similar to pimples.
• Small water blisters on the skin, particularly on the hands and feet, shows the presence of eczema.
• Atopic eczema usually affects the front of the elbows as well as the chest and neck.
• Due to the temporary pigment loss, the color of the skin gets change.
• There will be dark patches on the affected skin.

Treatment of Eczema

• The treatment with antimicrobial medicines , such as antibiotics, antifungals or antivirals helps, to reduce the swelling area of skin.
• Bath no more than once daily, otherwise it will make your skin more dry.
• The sedating antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to help reduce severe itching during acute eczema.
• A very common treatment for treating eczema involves - applying lotions, creams, or ointments to keep the skin as moist as possible.
• Patients with eczema have hyperirritable skin. Therefore, anything that dries or irritates the skin will be a problem. Avoid frequent use of soaps, hot water, and other cleansing procedures that tend to remove natural oil from the skin.
• The use of immunosuppressant medicines, may be tried to bring the inflammation of skin under control.
• Gamolenic acid is an alternative remedy sometimes used to treat eczema. They increase the level of essential fatty acid.
• Light treatment is another effective remedy for people suffering with eczema. UVB light therapy can be extremely beneficial, as can PUVA, which involves a combination of a drug called psoralen taken by mouth, followed two hours later by UVA light treatment.