Eczema - Symptoms & Treatment

Eczema is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder. Eczema is also called Eczema. It is not dangerous, but most types cause red, swollen and itchy skin. Factors that can cause eczema include other diseases, irritating substances, allergies and your genetic makeup. The term eczema refers to a set of clinical characteristics. Classification of the underlying diseases has been haphazard and unsystematic, with many synonyms used to describe the same condition. A type of eczema may be described by location, by specific appearance, or by possible cause. In general, atopic Eczema will come and go, often based on external factors. Although its cause is unknown, the condition appears to be an abnormal response of the body's immune system. In people with eczema, the inflammatory response to irritating substances overacts, causing itching and scratching. Kids who get eczema often have family members with hay fever, asthma, or other allergies. Some scientists think these children may be genetically predisposed to get eczema, which means characteristics have been passed on from parents through genes that make a child more likely to get it. In children and adults, eczema typically occurs on the face, neck, and the insides of the elbows, knees, and ankles.

Eczema cannot be cured, but you can prevent some types of eczema by avoiding irritants, stress and the things you are allergic to. Eczema will permanently resolve by age three in about half of affected infants. In others, the condition tends to recur throughout life. Other less common types of eczema are seborrhoeica, which affects the scalp and eye-lashes as a severe form of dandruff; and discoid eczema, which causes circular patches of eczema over the body. Although eczema affects all ages, it usually appears in early childhood and disappears around six years of age. In fact, more than half of all eczema sufferers show signs within their first 12 months of life and 90 percent of people develop eczema before the age of five. Because eczema is usually dry and itchy, the most common treatment is the application of lotions or creams to keep the skin as moist as possible. These treatments are generally most effective when applied directly after bathing so that the moisture from the bath is "locked in." Alternatives to nonprescription corticosteroids include more potent prescription corticosteroid creams and ointments, which are effective, but which may have some side effects.

Causes of Eczema

Common causes and risk factor's of Eczema:

Infections with bacteria or viruses.

Changes in the weather, or even psychological stress.

Genetic makeup.

Changes in hormone levels.

Food allergies or intolerances.

Allergies to dust mites, plant pollens or animal fur.

Treatment of Eczema

Common treatment of Eczema:

Gamolenic acid is an alternative remedy sometimes used to treat eczema.

Mild corticosteroids are generally used for children and on the face and flexures, eg crease of the elbow, behind the knees etc.