A Simple Guide to Eczema
-------------------------------
What is Eczema?
--------------------
Eczema is a general term meaning inflammation of the skin with signs of redness, itch and swelling.
One of the most common forms of eczema is atopic eczema which affects 10-20% of the world population. It occurs at some point during childhood.
Fortunately, many children with eczema find that the disease clears and often disappears with age.
What causes Eczema?
--------------------------
There is no known cause for the disease.
It often affects people with a family history of allergies.
Many people who have eczema also suffer from allergic rhinitis and asthma, or have family members who do.
Those who are genetically predisposed may deverlop eczema when exposed to environmental and food triggers:
milk,egg white,nuts, shellfish
dust, chemicals,detergents,flowers,pollens,dyes in clothes,cosmetics
Who gets eczema?
----------------------
Eczema occurs in both children and adults, but usually appears during infancy.
Is Eczema contagious?
---------------------------
Eczema is not contagious and, like many diseases, currently cannot be cured.
For most patients the condition may be managed well with treatment and avoidance of triggers.
How common is eczema?
------------------------------
The condition is quite common.
About10-20% of all infants have eczema.
In nearly half of these children, the disease will improve greatly by the time they are between five and 15 years of age.
Others will have some form of the disease throughout their lives.
Where does Eczema appear?
-----------------------------------
Eczema can occur on just about any part of the body.
In infants, eczema typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck.
In children and adults, eczema typically occurs on the face, neck, and the insides of the elbows, knees, and ankles.
In some people, eczema may form bubbles which breaks and ooze.
In others, the condition may appear more scaly, dry, and red.
Chronic scratching causes the skin to take on a leathery texture because the skin thickens (lichenification).
What are the symptoms and signs of eczema?
-----------------------------------------------------
Typically there are dry, red, extremely itchy patches on the skin.
Eczema is sometimes referred to as "the itch that rashes," since the itch, when scratched, results in the appearance of the rash.
What makes patients with eczema itch?
-----------------------------------------------
The triggers that causes a flare up of the eczema causes irritation to the skin.
When the skin becomes irritated, histamines are released into the skin causing the redness and itchiness.
For some, rough or coarse materials coming into contact with the skin causes itchiness. For others, feeling too hot and sweating will cause an outbreak.
Other people find that certain soaps, detergents, disinfectants, contact with juices from fresh fruits and meats, dust mites, and animal furs may trigger itching.
Upper respiratory infections (caused by viruses) may also be triggers.
Stress can also sometimes aggravate an existing flare-up,a condition called neurodematitis.
How can eczema be prevented?
-------------------------------------
Eczema outbreaks can usually be prevented with some simple precautions:
1.Moisturize frequently
2.Avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity
3.Avoid sweating or overheating
4.Avoid scratchy materials (e.g., wool or other irritants)
5.Avoid harsh soaps, detergents, and solvents
6.Avoid environmental factors that trigger allergies (e.g., pollens, molds, mites, and animal furs)
7.Be aware of any foods that may trigger an attack and avoid those foods
8.Reduce stress
How can eczema be treated?
----------------------------------
The most important part of an eczema treatment routine is to avoid scratching because that will irritate the skin even more.
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 remains in the skin.
Cold compresses applied directly to itchy skin can also help relieve itching.
Another effective treatment is the application of corticosteroid creams and ointments to reduce inflammation.To prevent side effects such as skin thinning, your doctor may limit the length of treatment time and locations where you can apply treatment.
For severe eczema, your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids, but be aware that side effects including new flare-ups can develop when treatment is discontinued (this treatment is not recommended for long-term use).
Skin affected by eczema may frequently become infected. A course of topical or oral antibiotics may be prescribed to kill the bacteria causing the infection.
For severe itching, sedative and non-sedative antihistamines are sometimes used to reduce the itch.
For day time activities as well as driving, non sedative antihistamine should be used.
Because drowsiness is a common side effect, sedative antihistamines are often used in the evening to help a person restless from eczema get to sleep.
Tar treatments and phototherapy are also used and can have positive effects. Phototherapy requires special equipment (lights).
Finally, in cases where eczema is resistant to therapy, your physician may prescribe the drug cyclosporine A, which modifies immune response.
This is used only in extreme cases because of its association with serious side effects.
What can be done for children with eczema?
----------------------------------------------------
Children are special because it is difficult for them to resist scratching their eczema.
For mild to moderate cases, the application of moisturizer on a regular basis can be very helpful. And, in most cases, the eczema will disappear as the child ages.
In the meantime, avoid as many eczema triggers as possible.
Keep your child’s skin moist. After bathing, apply moisturizer to retain the moisture in the skin.
Avoid sudden temperature changes.
Keep your child’s bedroom and play areas free of dust mites.
Use mild soaps – both on your child’s skin and on your child’s clothing.
Dress your child in breathable, preferably cotton, clothing.
-------------------------------
What is Eczema?
--------------------
Eczema is a general term meaning inflammation of the skin with signs of redness, itch and swelling.
One of the most common forms of eczema is atopic eczema which affects 10-20% of the world population. It occurs at some point during childhood.
Fortunately, many children with eczema find that the disease clears and often disappears with age.
What causes Eczema?
--------------------------
There is no known cause for the disease.
It often affects people with a family history of allergies.
Many people who have eczema also suffer from allergic rhinitis and asthma, or have family members who do.
Those who are genetically predisposed may deverlop eczema when exposed to environmental and food triggers:
milk,egg white,nuts, shellfish
dust, chemicals,detergents,flowers,pollens,dyes in clothes,cosmetics
Who gets eczema?
----------------------
Eczema occurs in both children and adults, but usually appears during infancy.
Is Eczema contagious?
---------------------------
Eczema is not contagious and, like many diseases, currently cannot be cured.
For most patients the condition may be managed well with treatment and avoidance of triggers.
How common is eczema?
------------------------------
The condition is quite common.
About10-20% of all infants have eczema.
In nearly half of these children, the disease will improve greatly by the time they are between five and 15 years of age.
Others will have some form of the disease throughout their lives.
Where does Eczema appear?
-----------------------------------
Eczema can occur on just about any part of the body.
In infants, eczema typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck.
In children and adults, eczema typically occurs on the face, neck, and the insides of the elbows, knees, and ankles.
In some people, eczema may form bubbles which breaks and ooze.
In others, the condition may appear more scaly, dry, and red.
Chronic scratching causes the skin to take on a leathery texture because the skin thickens (lichenification).
What are the symptoms and signs of eczema?
-----------------------------------------------------
Typically there are dry, red, extremely itchy patches on the skin.
Eczema is sometimes referred to as "the itch that rashes," since the itch, when scratched, results in the appearance of the rash.
What makes patients with eczema itch?
-----------------------------------------------
The triggers that causes a flare up of the eczema causes irritation to the skin.
When the skin becomes irritated, histamines are released into the skin causing the redness and itchiness.
For some, rough or coarse materials coming into contact with the skin causes itchiness. For others, feeling too hot and sweating will cause an outbreak.
Other people find that certain soaps, detergents, disinfectants, contact with juices from fresh fruits and meats, dust mites, and animal furs may trigger itching.
Upper respiratory infections (caused by viruses) may also be triggers.
Stress can also sometimes aggravate an existing flare-up,a condition called neurodematitis.
How can eczema be prevented?
-------------------------------------
Eczema outbreaks can usually be prevented with some simple precautions:
1.Moisturize frequently
2.Avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity
3.Avoid sweating or overheating
4.Avoid scratchy materials (e.g., wool or other irritants)
5.Avoid harsh soaps, detergents, and solvents
6.Avoid environmental factors that trigger allergies (e.g., pollens, molds, mites, and animal furs)
7.Be aware of any foods that may trigger an attack and avoid those foods
8.Reduce stress
How can eczema be treated?
----------------------------------
The most important part of an eczema treatment routine is to avoid scratching because that will irritate the skin even more.
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 remains in the skin.
Cold compresses applied directly to itchy skin can also help relieve itching.
Another effective treatment is the application of corticosteroid creams and ointments to reduce inflammation.To prevent side effects such as skin thinning, your doctor may limit the length of treatment time and locations where you can apply treatment.
For severe eczema, your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids, but be aware that side effects including new flare-ups can develop when treatment is discontinued (this treatment is not recommended for long-term use).
Skin affected by eczema may frequently become infected. A course of topical or oral antibiotics may be prescribed to kill the bacteria causing the infection.
For severe itching, sedative and non-sedative antihistamines are sometimes used to reduce the itch.
For day time activities as well as driving, non sedative antihistamine should be used.
Because drowsiness is a common side effect, sedative antihistamines are often used in the evening to help a person restless from eczema get to sleep.
Tar treatments and phototherapy are also used and can have positive effects. Phototherapy requires special equipment (lights).
Finally, in cases where eczema is resistant to therapy, your physician may prescribe the drug cyclosporine A, which modifies immune response.
This is used only in extreme cases because of its association with serious side effects.
What can be done for children with eczema?
----------------------------------------------------
Children are special because it is difficult for them to resist scratching their eczema.
For mild to moderate cases, the application of moisturizer on a regular basis can be very helpful. And, in most cases, the eczema will disappear as the child ages.
In the meantime, avoid as many eczema triggers as possible.
Keep your child’s skin moist. After bathing, apply moisturizer to retain the moisture in the skin.
Avoid sudden temperature changes.
Keep your child’s bedroom and play areas free of dust mites.
Use mild soaps – both on your child’s skin and on your child’s clothing.
Dress your child in breathable, preferably cotton, clothing.
