That Eczema On Your Skin

It is possible to have an even skin tone, with no blemish or spot at all. But this not the case as most people have their skin tarnished by various skin r eactions, and one of the most common is eczema. Eczema is an inflammation of the skin characterized by r eddening, swelling, bumps and crusting, followed by thickening and scaling. It is also referred to as dermatitis. It refers to a chronic inflammatory skin condition, characterized by dry skin, with patches that are red and intensely itchy. These patches of eczema may ooze, become scaly, crusted, or hardened. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and the condition can negatively impact quality of life. Eczema can occur anywhere on the skin and is commonly found on the flexors (bends of the arms, backs of the knees). There are many types of eczema, with the most common one being atopic dermatitis. Atopy refers to a hereditary tendency toward eczema, asthma, and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). People with eczema may suffer with one of the other atopic diseases. Eczema affects millions of people, and most of them are infants and children. Ten percent to 20 percent of all infants have eczema, according to the National Institutes of Health. However, nearly half outgrow the condition. It usually appears in children between 6 months and 5 years old, according to the National Eczema Association. Rashes usually begin on the face, scalp, hands and feet. The pr oblem can last throughout childhood and into adulthood.

Allergens, including pollen, pet hair, dander, mold and foods such as eggs, wheat, nuts and dairy products. Skin irritants, including perfumes, harsh soaps, chemicals, alcohol-containing skin products, wool or tight clothing, Water, especially hot baths, Colds or flu, Climate conditions such as heat and low or high humidity, Stress .

There are many different types of eczema.The most common type is the Atopic dermatitis. :

• Allergic contact eczema (dermatitis) - a reaction where the skin has come into contact with a substance that the immune system recognizes as foreign

• Contact eczema - a localized reaction where the skin has come into contact with an allergen

• Dyshidriotic eczema - irritation of skin on palms of hands and soles of feet, characterized by blisters

• Neurodermatitis - scaly patches of skin on head, forearms, wrists, lower legs caused by localized itch such as an insect bite

• Nummular eczema - circular patches of irritated skin that can be crusted, scaling and itchy

• Seborrheic eczema - oily, scaly yellowish patches of skin, usually on scalp and face

• Stasis dermatitis - skin irritation on lower legs, usually related to circulatory problems.

There is no single test that is used in order to diagnose eczema.

Skin allergy testing is often carried out when investigating potential eczema cases.

The doctor may need to see a patient multiple times in order to make an accurate diagnosis. This is because people with eczema experience very individual combinations of symptoms, which tend to fluctuate in severity over time. Diagnosis is based primarily on the patient’s symptoms, but medical history is also important. A doctor will often ask about a patient’s family history, other atopic diseases such as asthma and hay fever, possible exposure to irritants, whether any foods are related to flare-ups, sleep disturbances, past treatment for skin symptoms and the use of steroids or other medications.

A doctor may refer a patient onto either an allergist or dermatologist for further evaluation.

They may also attempt to rule out other condi- tions that can cause skin irritations. This can involve the following tests: substances are placed onto the surface of the skin to test for skin allergies Skin prick testing: a needle containing a small amount of a suspected allergen pricks the skin to test for allergies that do not necessarily occur on the skin, such as pollen or food Supervised food challenges: foods ar e eliminated and then introduced into the diet to determine whether a food allergy is present.

Avoiding triggers and minimizing scratching go a long way toward coping with eczema. Effective home care can include: Applying cold compresses to reduce severe itching Cutting children’s fingernails short to curtail scratching Taking shorter baths or showers Wearing gloves for jobs that require putting hands in water Drinking eight glasses of water a day to keep skin moist Taking regular warm baths Applying moisturizer within 3 min of bathing to “lock in” moisture Moisturizing every day Wearing cotton and soft fabrics, avoiding rough, scratchy fibers and tight-fitting clothing Using mild soap or a non-soap cleanser when washing Air drying or gently patting skin dry with a towel, rather than rubbing skin dry after bathing Avoiding rapid changes of temperature and activities that make you sweat (where possible) Learning individual eczema triggers and avoiding them Using a humidifier in dry or cold weather Keeping fingernails short to prevent scratching from breaking skin.

This mostly involves treating the symptoms , to alleviate the discomfort. These include the use of corticosteroid creams, medications to control viral, bacterial and fungal infections, phototherapy, repair moisturizers, antihistamine. Even though the condition itself is not presently curable, there should be a particular treatment plan to suit each case. Even after an area of skin has healed it is important to keep looking after it, as it may easily become irritated again.