Eczema
Eczema is a term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated. The most common type of eczema is known as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. Atopic refers to a group of diseases with an often inherited tendency to develop other allergic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever.
Eczema affects about 10% to 20% of infants and about 3% of adults and children in the U.S. Most infants who develop the condition outgrow it by their tenth birthday, while some people continue to have symptoms on and off throughout life. With proper treatment, the disease often can be controlled.
Types of eczema
There are many different types of eczema. This article will predominantly focus on atopic dermatitis. Other variants include:
There are many different types of eczema. This article will predominantly focus on atopic dermatitis. Other variants include:
- Allergic contact eczema (dermatitis) - a skin reaction following 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
- Dyshidrotic eczema - irritation of skin on palms of hands and soles of feet characterized by blisters
- Neurodermatitis - scaly patches of skin on head, forearms, wrists, and lower legs caused by a 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
What Are the Symptoms of Eczema?
No matter which part of the skin is affected, eczema is almost always itchy. Sometimes the itching will start before the rash appears, but when it does, the rash most commonly appears on the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands, or feet. It may also affect other areas as well.
Affected areas usually appear very dry, thickened, or scaly. In fair-skinned people, these areas may initially appear reddish and then turn brown. Among darker-skinned people, eczema can affect pigmentation, making the affected area lighter or darker.
In infants, the itchy rash can produce an oozing, crusting condition that happens mainly on the face and scalp, but patches may appear anywhere.
Atopic dermatitis commonly manifests itself in infants with dry and scaly patches appearing on the skin. These patches are often intensely itchy.
The symptoms of atopic dermatitis can vary, depending on the age of the person with the condition.
No matter which part of the skin is affected, eczema is almost always itchy. Sometimes the itching will start before the rash appears, but when it does, the rash most commonly appears on the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands, or feet. It may also affect other areas as well.
Affected areas usually appear very dry, thickened, or scaly. In fair-skinned people, these areas may initially appear reddish and then turn brown. Among darker-skinned people, eczema can affect pigmentation, making the affected area lighter or darker.
In infants, the itchy rash can produce an oozing, crusting condition that happens mainly on the face and scalp, but patches may appear anywhere.
Atopic dermatitis commonly manifests itself in infants with dry and scaly patches appearing on the skin. These patches are often intensely itchy.
The symptoms of atopic dermatitis can vary, depending on the age of the person with the condition.
Most people develop atopic dermatitis before the age of 5. Half of those who develop the condition in childhood continue to have symptoms as an adult, though these symptoms are often different to those experienced by children.
People with the condition will often experience periods of time where their symptoms will flare up or worsen, followed by periods of time where their symptoms will improve or clear up.
Infants:
Rashes commonly appear on scalp and cheeks.
Rashes usually bubble up before weeping fluid.
Rashes can cause extreme itchiness, which may lead to trouble sleeping. Continuous rubbing and scratching can lead to skin infections.
Children, from 2 years old to puberty:
Rashes commonly appear behind the creases of elbows or knees
Also common on neck, wrists, ankles, crease between buttock and legs
Over time, the following symptoms can manifest:
Rashes can become bumpy, like goosebumps
Rashes can lighten or darken in color
Rashes can thicken (also known as lichenification) and then develop knots and a permanent itch
People with the condition will often experience periods of time where their symptoms will flare up or worsen, followed by periods of time where their symptoms will improve or clear up.
Infants:
Rashes commonly appear on scalp and cheeks.
Rashes usually bubble up before weeping fluid.
Rashes can cause extreme itchiness, which may lead to trouble sleeping. Continuous rubbing and scratching can lead to skin infections.
Children, from 2 years old to puberty:
Rashes commonly appear behind the creases of elbows or knees
Also common on neck, wrists, ankles, crease between buttock and legs
Over time, the following symptoms can manifest:
Rashes can become bumpy, like goosebumps
Rashes can lighten or darken in color
Rashes can thicken (also known as lichenification) and then develop knots and a permanent itch
Causes of eczema
The specific cause of eczema remains unknown, but it is believed to develop due to a combination of hereditary (genetic) and environmental factors.
Children are more likely to develop eczema if a parent has had it or another atopic disease. If both parents have an atopic disease, the chances increase further.
Environmental factors are also known to bring out the symptoms of eczema. These include:
Irritants - soaps, detergents, shampoos, disinfectants, juices from fresh fruits, meats, or vegetables
Allergens - dust mites, pets, pollens, mold, dandruff
Microbes - bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, certain fungi
Hot and cold temperatures - hot weather, high and low humidity, perspiration from exercise
Foods - dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds, soy products, wheat
Stress - it is not a cause of eczema but can make symptoms worse
Hormones - women can experience worsening of eczema symptoms at times when their hormone levels are changing, for example during pregnancy and at certain points in their menstrual cycle
The specific cause of eczema remains unknown, but it is believed to develop due to a combination of hereditary (genetic) and environmental factors.
Children are more likely to develop eczema if a parent has had it or another atopic disease. If both parents have an atopic disease, the chances increase further.
Environmental factors are also known to bring out the symptoms of eczema. These include:
Irritants - soaps, detergents, shampoos, disinfectants, juices from fresh fruits, meats, or vegetables
Allergens - dust mites, pets, pollens, mold, dandruff
Microbes - bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, certain fungi
Hot and cold temperatures - hot weather, high and low humidity, perspiration from exercise
Foods - dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds, soy products, wheat
Stress - it is not a cause of eczema but can make symptoms worse
Hormones - women can experience worsening of eczema symptoms at times when their hormone levels are changing, for example during pregnancy and at certain points in their menstrual cycle
Treatments for eczema
There is no cure for eczema. Treatment for the condition aims to heal the affected skin and prevent flaring of the symptoms. Doctors will suggest a plan of treatment based around a patient's age, symptoms, and current state of health.
For some people, eczema goes away over time, and for others, it remains a lifelong condition.
There are numerous things that people with eczema can do to support skin health and alleviate symptoms, such as:
There is no cure for eczema. Treatment for the condition aims to heal the affected skin and prevent flaring of the symptoms. Doctors will suggest a plan of treatment based around a patient's age, symptoms, and current state of health.
For some people, eczema goes away over time, and for others, it remains a lifelong condition.
There are numerous things that people with eczema can do to support skin health and alleviate symptoms, such as:
- Taking regular warm baths
- Applying moisturizer within 3 minutes 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
Homeopathy and Eczema
Homeopathy is a branch of traditional medicine that treats disorders with remedies made out of greatly diluted doses of poisons. Homeopathic remedies are usually prescribed after considering the symptoms, personality as well as the emotional and psychological state of each patient. Therefore, this list of homeopathic remedies for eczema only represents the most commonly prescribed remedies recommended by homeopaths for their patients. Discussed below are the best homeopathic remedies for relieving eczema itch, skin sores and dry skin.
Homeopathy is a branch of traditional medicine that treats disorders with remedies made out of greatly diluted doses of poisons. Homeopathic remedies are usually prescribed after considering the symptoms, personality as well as the emotional and psychological state of each patient. Therefore, this list of homeopathic remedies for eczema only represents the most commonly prescribed remedies recommended by homeopaths for their patients. Discussed below are the best homeopathic remedies for relieving eczema itch, skin sores and dry skin.
Bibliography:
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/atopic-dermatitis-eczema#1
http://vitalitymagazine.com/article/homeopathic-medicine-for-treating-acute-chronic-eczema/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/14417.php
http://www.progressivehealth.com/homeopathy-for-treating-eczema.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eczema/basics/definition/con-20032073
http://eczema.org/what-is-eczema
http://homeopathyplus.com/eczema-homeopathic-help-for-sore-and-itchy-skin/
https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/hair-skin-nails/eczema-treatment-and-symptoms/
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/atopic-dermatitis-eczema#1
http://vitalitymagazine.com/article/homeopathic-medicine-for-treating-acute-chronic-eczema/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/14417.php
http://www.progressivehealth.com/homeopathy-for-treating-eczema.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eczema/basics/definition/con-20032073
http://eczema.org/what-is-eczema
http://homeopathyplus.com/eczema-homeopathic-help-for-sore-and-itchy-skin/
https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/body-mind-spirit/hair-skin-nails/eczema-treatment-and-symptoms/