The term eczema refers to a set of medical conditions that cause inflammation or irritation of the skin. The most common type of eczema is called atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis. Atopic means a group of diseases with a generally inherited tendency to suffer from other allergic conditions, such as hay fever and asthma.
In the US alone, about 10% to 20% of babies and about 3% of children and adults are affected by eczema. Most babies outgrow the condition by the time they reach 10 years old, while some people continue to have symptoms intermittently throughout their lives. However, the disease can be controlled with proper treatment. Especially if you are careful with dry skin, you can control eczema well.
Eczema symptoms
The main symptom of eczema is itchy skin. Sometimes the itching begins before the appearance of rashes. The rash most often appears on the face, hands, wrists, back of the knees, or feet. It also affects other areas.
When affected by eczema, the skin appears very dry, thick, or scaly. In fair-skinned people, the affected areas appear reddish first and then turn brown, while in dark-skinned people, eczema can affect pigmentation and the affected area becomes lighter or darker.
In infants, there is a possibility that the itchy rash will produce a scabbing and oozing condition that appears mainly on the scalp and face. However, patches can appear everywhere.
Causes of eczema
The cause of eczema is not yet known. However, eczema is believed to be an overactive response of the body’s immune system to an irritant.
Also, eczema commonly occurs in families who have a history of asthma or other allergies. In addition, defects in the skin barrier can allow germs to enter and moisture to escape.
There seems to be a great variation in the causes of itchy dry skin in different people. Some people develop an itchy rash due to specific substances or conditions, while others develop them after coming into contact with thick material. For some others, exposure to certain soaps or detergents, extreme heat or cold, or contact with animal dander can cause an itchy rash. In some patients, upper respiratory infections can trigger the condition, and stress can make the condition worse.
Although there is no definitive cure, most patients can control the disease with medical treatment and avoiding irritants. The good news is that eczema is not contagious.
Treatment
Eczema treatment aims to relieve and prevent itching, which can cause infection. Since the skin becomes dry and itchy, creams and lotions are prescribed to keep the skin moist. They are usually applied to damp skin, for example after bathing, to help the skin retain moisture. Itching can also be relieved with cold compresses.
Over-the-counter products such as 1% hydrocortisone cream or prescription ointments and creams that contain corticosteroids are also generally prescribed to reduce inflammation. And if the affected area is infected, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics.
Other treatments include antihistamines to reduce severe itching, tar treatments, phototherapy (with ultraviolet rays), and the drug cyclosporine for those who do not respond to other treatments.
Prevention of eczema flare-ups
Some simple measures can prevent or lessen eczema flare-ups, such as:
- Frequent hydration of the skin.
- Avoid sudden changes in humidity and temperature
- Avoid overheating and sweating.
- Stress reduction
- Avoid scratchy materials like wool
- Avoid strong soaps, solvents and detergents
- Be on the lookout for foods causing the outbreak and avoid them
So, although you can’t completely cure your eczema, you can manage it well and improve your quality of life.