Eczema

Eczema

Eczema refers to skin conditions that can cause irritation or inflammation in the skin. There are various kinds of eczema, but the most common is atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis. The amount of people affected by some form of eczema is on the rise and atopic eczema may affect around 10 percent of adults. 

While eczema affects many children and some of these grow out of their condition, sometimes it can persist into adulthood. There is also no known cure for eczema but the condition can be managed by lifestyle choices and medication. 

Eczema – The symptoms

Symptoms can depend on the individual – some sufferers have very frequent flare-ups that need to be managed and others have hardly any and perhaps just have a few lingering symptoms like patches of dry skin. 

Eczema is nearly always itchy. The most common symptoms are the following:

• Cracked, dry, leathery skin
• Rashes
• Redness

Types of Eczema & Dermatitis

Not all Eczema conditions are equal, there are several different kinds. 

Atopic Dermatitis

The most common type of eczema. This is the most well-understood type of eczema and it also has links to other allergies – such as asthma and hay fever. 

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is very common – the vast majority of people will get it at some point in their lives. This is usually triggered by some kind of allergen or irritant. These triggers depend on the individual in question. 

Irritant dermatitis is usually due to chemicals in soaps, detergents, or even jewelry. It is also commonly found in people who work with industrial chemicals. Allergic dermatitis is triggered by something that your skin is allergic to – these allergies depend entirely upon the individual. 

Dyshidrotic eczema

This is a much rarer form of eczema which can cause small blisters on the hands and feet. It can be triggered by metals or by sweating. 

Neuro Dermatitis

This eczema often causes problems in a localized patch of skin and can lead to intense itching. It commonly affects the neck, arms, or legs. It’s thought to be more common in women from the ages of 30 to 50 and can also be found in people with drier skin.

Nummular eczema 

This is a coin-shaped eczema that often appears due to a bite from an insect or a burn injury. There is a link between family members who have or had eczema – you might be more likely to get this type of eczema if blood relatives have had this. 

Seborrheic dermatitis

This is usually centered around glands that produce sebum (the natural oil that provides lubrication for hair and skin). The cause isn’t known, but it could be in response to yeast microorganisms and is often found hand in hand with other conditions like acne. 

Stasis dermatitis

This type of dermatitis affects older people and can be caused by poor blood flow to the legs. A sedentary lifestyle (low levels of exercise) and being overweight can also contribute to this dermatitis. 

Eczema causes

Eczema is not contagious, and it cannot be transmitted between affected people like an infection. Scientists are not sure what exactly causes eczema. However, they have narrowed it down to the following:

• An immune response to an irritant.
• Problems in the natural protective barrier of the skin.
• A family history of asthma seems to increase the likelihood of getting asthma. 

Eczema triggers

There are various triggers to different kinds of asthma – but the most common are the following:

• Temperature
• Soaps and detergents
• Some fabrics
• Respiratory viral infections
• Stress

Eczema treatment

There are various ways to control and manage eczema depending upon its severity. Medications like emollients and moisturizers can help keep skin healthy and reduce or eliminate flare-ups. In the case of flare-ups and painful symptoms, medications that include some kind of corticosteroid are prescribed to deal with the inflammation. 

Moisturizing skin regularly and lifestyle choices that maximize the health of the skin can also help treat and control asthma. If stress seems to be a predominant trigger for asthma then learning relaxation techniques may be an important part of the overall treatment. 

Preventing flare-ups

There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of painful or uncomfortable eczema flare ups – which include: 

• Moisturize often.
• Try not to get too hot or cold (especially if heat and sweat are triggers for your asthma)
• Avoid coarse fabrics (like wool).
• Stress management and taking time to relax.
• Avoid known irritants as best you can. 
• Use a humidifier in rooms that you spend a long time in.