Eczema

Eczema is a type of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. The most common type of eczema is called atopic dermatitis, that is an allergic reaction. There are several various types of dermatitis, but the one people generally mean when they say eczema is atopic dermatitis. The most common cause of eczema is atopic dermatitis, occassionally called infantile eczema though it happens in infants and older children. As many as 15 million people in the United States have some form of eczema. Some scientists believe these children may be genetically predisposed to get eczema, that means features have been passed on from parents through genes that make a child more likely to get it.

People with eczema also may have asthma and certain allergies, such as hay fever. Eczema can be caused by a number of several factors, and may result in just a small patch of skin being affected, but can affect skin anywhere on the body. For some, food allergies (such as allergies to cow's milk, soy, eggs, fish, or wheat) may bring on or worsen eczema. People having eczema often have a family history of the condition or a family history of other allergic conditions, such as asthma or hay fever. Up to 20% of children and 1-2% of adults are supposed to have eczema.

Atopic dermatitis, commonly referred to as eczema, is a chronic skin disorder pigeonholed by scaly and itching rashes. The term eczema is widely applied to a range of incessant or recurring skin rashes characterized by redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, with possible crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding. Nearly 1-2 percent of adults have eczema, and as many as 20 percent of children are affected.

For others, nevertheless, eczema is a chronic or recurrent disorder. Though it can occur just once, it normally occurs on and off through life, or lasts the entire lifetime. Eczema is not an allergy itself, but allergies can effectuate eczema. Some environmental factors (such as extreme heat or emotional stress ) can also trigger the condition. But the good news is that more than half of the kids having eczema today will be over it by the time they're teenagers.

Causes of Eczema

The common Causes of Eczema :

• Dust, down comforters, feathers, wool, or perfumed lotions.
• Sweaty activities, stress, or quick variations of temperature also may cause itching.
• If a parent has eczema, allergies, or asthma, their children are more like to have eczema.
• The exact cause of eczema is not known.
• This is caused by straight contact between the skin and the substance, that might be such things as detergents, soaps, diesel or engine oils, strong chemicals, cleaners etc

Symptoms of Eczema

Some Symptoms of Eczema :

• Exudation and cracking.
• Scaling
• Itchy skin
• Redness and swelling, usually with ill-defined margin
• Fissures and scratch marks.
• Pigmentation.
• Papules, vesicles and more rarely large blisters.
• Dry skin
• Itching is usually worst at night.
• People with eczema feel the need to scratch and rub their skin.

Treatment of Eczema

• The lynchpin of treatment is moisturising the skin. For this we use creams, ointments and shower and bath oils that help to restore the skin's natural protective oils.
• Oral medications (by mouth) are sometimes helpful.
• Avoiding sweaty activities, stress, and rapid variations of temperature may also help.
• Antihistamines taken by mouth may be helpful in reducing the itch.
• If the skin becomes eventually infected, which is more likely as its normal protective surface has been damaged, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics.
• Pimecrolimus is a new anti-inflammatory cream shown to be very effective for atopic dermatitis, with fewer side effects than topical steroids. Naturally, if your eczema is a result of a particular allergy or sensitivity, then it is wise to avoid the thing which causes it if you can.
• Eczema is sometimes improved by avoiding contact with certain materials, such as dust, down comforters, feathers, wool, and perfumed lotions.
• Systemic steroids, azathioprine, phototherapy, and other complicated treatments may also be used for severe cases.