What is eczema

Eczema, an itchy inflammation of the skin, effects many people in different forms, with one of the most common being scalp eczema.

The scalp is vulnerable because the skin of the scalp is different than skin elsewhere on the body. The scalp has a very rich supply of grease from the sebaceous glands as well as carrying follicles creating long hairs.

There are other symptoms to watch for with eczema besides itching. A person suffering from a form of eczema may also experience redness of the affected area, dry skin, lumps or blisters, and possibly signs of superficial infection such as weeping or crusty deposits.

It is important to let your medical provider know if you are suffering these symptoms and to which parts of your body, as there are several types of eczema, including atopic, allergic contact, irritant contact, discoid, seborrhoeic, and many others.

Eczema is actually a fairly common condition with atopic eczema (the “allergic” type often seen in people with allergies or asthma), affecting about 10-20 percent of school children and 3-5 percent of adults in the UK.

This number is increasing and becoming more common. The cause of this strain becoming more common may be due to an increased exposure to allergens such as house dust or environmental factors.

Now that we know what the symptoms are, how is eczema and scalp eczema treated? Treatment can consist of topical creams or ointments that are applied regularly.

Or, if the area is infected, your medical provider may prescribe antimicrobial medicines, such as antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals. These may either be taken orally or topically.

Depending on the severity of your condition, either method has proven over time to be effective.

Although eczema or scalp eczema are conditions which can be annoying or troublesome, there is hope that the treatments can be effective and one suffering from eczema can lead a full, productive life.

What is Eczema

 

Eczema is a skin condition commonly known as dermatitis which can result in dry flaky skin which can be itchy and feel hot. This sensation often leads to vigorous itching which in turn can damage the skin.
The word Eczema comes from the Greek words that mean “to boil over”. The word Dermatitis comes from the Greek word for skin. Both words refer to the same condition though.

There are four types of eczema, (atopic, varicose, discoid and contact/dermatitis).

Atopic Eczema is the most common form of Eczema. It is linked to hay fever and asthma. There is a tendency for it to be inherited, but there are also environmental factors which are important as well.
Atopic means extra sensitivity to certain substances (allergens) e.g. dust mites, cat and dog fur etc.
It affects 15-20% of young children in the UK, however, in about 70% of these cases, it clears up. If it doesn’t clear up, then it is likely that the condition will get worse as the patient gets older.
For some reason, the number of cases of Atopic eczema have increased in recent times.

Varicose Eczema affects the lower legs of patients. It is associated with varicose veins and is often a pre-cursor to varicose vein problems. It is also associated with poor circulation. Unlike Atopic eczema, it tends to affect the middle aged and the elderly.

Eczema can be either an acute or chronic skin reaction where there is a sensitivity to a particular material. This reaction may be an allergic or non-allergic reaction. This condition is caused when the bodies immune system reacts with a particular substance.

Discoid Eczema can occur at any point in a persons life, however, it tends to appear at a later stage in life. It tends to affect the lower legs and feet and shows itself as a distinct round patch of eczema.

What are the symptoms of Eczema?

This type of Eczemas symptoms normally include red, dry, itchy skin. There may also be some small water blisters which can weep on the hands and feet. Scaly areas will develop as well where the skin has been continually scratched.

Varicose
The symptoms for Varicose Eczema start with a mild itchiness just above the ankle. This will then become speckled and inflamed as well as becoming itchy. On occasion, ulcers can form.

This type of Eczema usually starts out with a rash in the area where the trigger substance has come into contact with the skin. Once the eczema has been triggered, then the eczema can spread through the body.

Discoid
Normally, one or a number of round patches of red skin appear. They may be itchy and become blistered. It is also quite common for these patches to be infected with bacteria.

What is the treatment for Eczema?

As with all conditions and diseases, it is usually best to talk to your doctor before embarking upon any course of treatment. The information below is purely for information purposes only and I always recommend that you read the information below and then go and talk to a medical professional.

There doesn’t appear to be a cure for eczema, however, there are a number of treatments which can control the symptoms of this very uncomfortable condition.

There are a number of over the counter creams which will help to soothe your eczema of which there are two types. These are emollients which are moisturisers which will soothe and hydrate the skin. A good time to apply these creams is straight after a bath while your skin is still slightly moist. There are also mild steroid creams. These creams can calm flare ups of eczema by suppressing your bodys inflammatory response. Even though these creams are available to anybody, it is wise to ask the pharmacists advice before using either emollients or mild steroid creams.

Your doctor may prescribe some prescription medicine if the emollients and mild steroid creams don’t work.

Your doctor may advise you to take anti-histamine drugs which will help you to sleep although they won’t directly relieve your eczema.
If your eczema is severe enough, it is possible you could have to go to hospital where the staff there will be able to keep you away from any trigger allergens and also to ensure that you take the medicine prescribed for you.

When a skin rash cannot be blamed on poison ivy or chicken pox, the culprit is eczema

In this condition, the skin turns red, scaly and develops sores. The itching is beyond the limit and the skins starts to shed in the form of scales. Dermatitis is the other name for eczema. Dermatitis actually means inflammation of the skin and the skin turns pink and sore. Eczema is a common child problem as out of ten kids at least one kid gets eczema and majority of them get it before they turn five years old. Children who are above five years are also at a risk of developing eczema, but once they become teenagers, the chances are negligible.

Not only does eczema dries the skin, it also makes it itch horribly. The skin break out can even take the form of rashes. Eczema is a condition which comes and goes frequently and therefore it is chronic. When any foreign bodies come in contact with the skin, a special kind of cells present in the skin will react to them. Basically, they inflame the skin as a measure of protection. The harmful foreign objects trigger the reaction and make these special cells to over react. This turns the skin itchy, sore and red. Children, who get eczema frequently, have a larger quantity of these special cells.

Usually, people who have family members with asthma, hay fever or any allergies are more prone to getting eczema. It is in their genes to get eczema and this problem is passed over to them by their parent. Some scientists say that people, who as children have had eczema, are at a higher risk of developing asthma or hay fever later in their life. Allergies can only make eczema worse. The good news is that eczema is not contagious, so children can be happy about not catching the infection. The first symptom of eczema is rash development. These rashes may seem to go away in the beginning, but will return back. Although eczema itches badly, not all rashes will itch. Eczema will start to develop behind the knees and inside of the elbows. It will slowly spread to the face and other body parts.

Because rashes can be caused due to many other reasons apart from eczema, the doctor will examine the rashes and its cause very carefully. If eczema is confirmed, the child may have to use a moisturizing cream or lotion to stop the itchiness and drying of the skin. In serious cases, the patient will be recommended corticosteroids. It is a steroid cream or ointment which needs to applied to check skin inflammation. If the itching is really irritating, antihistamine can be taken in either liquid or pill form. And if the scratching had resulted in an infection, antibiotics will also be prescribed. The problem doesn’t get solved forever, but it makes the condition better for the time being.

There are certain things which trigger eczema and should be avoided by children who get eczema frequently. Perfumes, detergents, soap, dry air in winters with very little moisture, and sweaty and hot skin. Also when coming in contact with dust mites and scratchy fabrics can increase skin irritation. The child must abstain from scratching even if the skin is itching badly, as that will make the skin itch more badly. The skin can also get infected with bacteria because of skin breaking and bleeding. A washcloth can be dipped on cool water and placed on the area of itchiness. The parents should cut the nails short of the child so that he/she doesn’t hurt himself while scratching. Lastly, lots of water should be consumed to provide moisture to the dry skin.

Symptoms of eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is characterized by a red itchy rash that is scaly and is oozing in some cases. The condition can appear on the arms and legs, cheeks, forehead, and in body parts such as knees and elbows where there are creases. In some cases, skin will have a leathery feel and even crack or blister. Some people also experience a thickening of the skin, red patches and even a slight color change when they have eczema.

1. Skin Conditions

This refers to the skin’s inflammation, while atopic means an allergic, and usually genetic or inherited, tendency. The condition is common for infants, although eczema is typically outgrown. The child’s condition could be chronic, or recur with regularity, if the problem persists beyond the second birthday, when eczema usually disappears. Eczema can worsen during winter, when dryness pervades the house, and summer, when temperatures could rise to extremes.

2. Treatment

The rashes are easy to eliminate, although they return sometimes even with proper treatment. To prevent eczema, bubble baths, exposure to extreme heat, strong soaps and other triggers must be avoided. In cases where these triggers are sometimes hard to avoid or identify, moisturizers may be the most important weapon one can use to prevent any flare-up of the condition. Since atopic dermatitis can accompany dry skin, individuals with this skin type will benefit from taking a daily bath – of about 5-10 minutes – with lukewarm water and using only a mild soap with moisturizing properties. This helps locks the moisture into the skin, limiting the likelihood of eczema development. Some people benefit from having topical medications as the first layer of treatment, with moisturizers or lubricants applied on top as the second layer, following a bath. This two-pronged approach should be enough to maintain healthy and hydrated skin.

3. Ointments & Creams

Greasy ointments are one of several moisturizers available in the market. Aquaphor and Vaseline are probably the more popular choices, although consumers should also consider other brands and similar products to determine which one works best for their skin. For more extreme eczema break-outs, individuals may need to turn to topical steroids and Protopic and other non-steroidal treatments. Hydrocortisone creams are among the very mild over-the-counter topical steroids one can use, even on facial eczema. Drug stores will already ask for a prescription for Dermatop, 0.1% Triamcinolone, Cutivate, Elocon and other more potent topicals. These stronger products are generally not advisable for children, as they could have adverse effects.

4. Medications

Protopic, Elidel and other non-steroidal medications, or immunodulators, are preferred for children with eczema. These milder topicals can be used twice daily, and even on the face and other more sensitive areas. However, steroid-free medications take a longer time before producing results compared to topical steroids. Some doctors recommend antihistamines as part of eczema treatment. Atarax, Benadryl and other antihistamines with a sedative effect are particularly effective in cases when itching is already hampering sleep. Other solutions that can also help are cold compresses, wet dressings, ultraviolet light therapy, oral steroids and cylcosporin and other immunosuppressive drugs.

5. Other Factors

Some individuals may find that the condition is common within the family. One who is genetically disposed to having sensitive skin could easily trigger bouts of eczema due to an allergy, stress or other specific environmental factor. Asthma, allergic rhinitis and other similar disorders tend to accompany eczema in these individuals. When this happens, the allergen or source of the allergy must be identified first and properly addressed. These sources could include shrimp and other seafood, strawberries, nuts, cow’s milk, eggs and other types of food. Pollen, dust mites and other airborne agents are also possible triggers. Eczema can also be driven by irritation to specific substances such as detergents, products containing chlorine, earrings and jewelry containing silver or nickel, woolen fabrics, synthetic materials, latex rubber, and formaldehyde and similar chemicals.

6. Treatment Tips

Eczema may not require continuous treatment, as most people generally outgrow the condition as they become older. However, antibiotics may have to be used when infections set in and hamper treatment of the flares. A dermatologist, allergologist or other specialist should be consulted after reasonable time and treatment fails to eliminate eczema or improve skin condition. Consultation should be immediate particularly if the affected individual develops fluid- or pus-filled blisters, which are symptomatic of eczema herpeticum – a rare complication attributed to the herpes simplex virus.

Eczema is an inflammatory, Chronic, Noncontagious Disease

Eczema is an inflammatory, chronic, noncontagious disease of the skin caused by allergy and hypersensitivity. The term is loosely used to include many skin conditions more properly included under dermatitis. Eczema is characterized by a number of cutaneous lesions, such as macules, papules, pustules, vesicles, scales, and crusts.

Macules are nonelevated skin spots. Papules are hard, circular, and elevated. Pustules are papular like lesions that contain pus, and vesicles are small skin blisters that contain fluid. Eczematous lesions are usually accompanied by an exudation of serous fluid and by intense itching. One-third to one-half of all cutaneous conditions are eczematous.

There is no known cure for eczema, but new treatments are helping people to manage, and even prevent flares, better than ever before. Treatment is most effective when people with eczema work closely with a physician, preferably a dermatologist, who will customize a treatment approach based on the person’s age, symptoms, and overall health. With the right treatment, most flares can be brought under control in less than three weeks.

In more severe cases of eczema, where other treatments have failed, systemic steroids may be used. Instead of applying the steroidal medication to the top of the skin, it is injected into the body, or taken in pill form. These medications should only be used for a short time.

Side effects can include skin damage, weakened bones, high blood sugar and/or blood pressure, infections, and cataracts. It is also dangerous to stop systemic corticosteroids abruptly, and patients must work closely with a doctor when changing doses or stopping treatment.

Antibiotics can be prescribed by a doctor to treat secondary infections associated with eczema. Medications used to fight infection can come in ointment or pill form and are taken for a set period of time.

Sedating antihistamines, which are best to take at bedtime, can help ease severe itching associated with eczema, and help restless sleepers and “scratchers” to sleep. The sedating antihistamines are more effective at relieving itching than the newer, non-sedating antihistamines, but these drugs cause drowsiness, and can affect an adult’s ability to work and think, and childrens’ ability to learn if taken during the day.

Phototherapy uses ultraviolet A or B light waves, and is reserved for children over 12 and adults.

It is very much like a tanning bed, and, like tanning beds, can cause skin cancer if used too much, for too long. Doctors use the minimum exposure necessary to ease itching and reduce inflammation.

In severe cases of eczema that do not respond to any other treatment, an immunosuppressive drug, like cyclosporine, may be used for a short time although the safety and effectiveness of cyclosporin in children has not been clearly established by clinical trials. These drugs block the production of some of the body’s immune cells and curb the effect of others.

They can provide relief from very serious eczema flares, but this improvement while on the drug often does not continue after the drug course is over. Side effects include hypertension and kidney problems, nausea, tingling or numbness, headaches, and a possible increase in cancer risk.

Keeping the skin happy and healthy is the first rule of good eczema care. This includes avoiding flare triggers, and sticking to a skin care routine that keeps the skin moisturized, and minimizes itchiness. Still, flares do happen. If inflammation cannot be reduced with good lifestyle and skin care habits alone, there are a wide variety of both over-the-counter and prescription medications available to manage the flares.

Treating my Eczema Scars Naturally

list of products: Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash Shea Butter Olive Oil Neutrogena Body Oil Lemon Dermarest Eczema Medicated Lotion (cvs) Just a little info on lemon and vitamans that help with skin Lemon juice has been employed for both acne and acne scar removal for a long time. Lemon juice can make the skin tone even by removing unwanted scars and hyperpigmentation. It can also make the skin soft and supple.Citric acid found in lemon juice belongs to the group of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs are known for their skin exfoliating properties Vitamans ABC and E all help with evening skin tone and protect it from damage

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Some Tips to help with Eczema

Don’t use the same towel for your face that you use for your hands…wouldn’t want to spread the eczema

For the potassium mangenate mix, use a THROW-AWAY container (in other words, one you don’t mind getting stained…for it will get stained!!)

Clean it every 2-3 days with a magic eraser sponge – better yet ask someone else to do it, in case you react to the chemicals in the sponge

The mix can be a BIT darker pink if you wish

Get BRAGG Apple Cider Vinegar if you can!!

Much better for you. STICK TO THE DIET!!

Healthy, healthy, HEALTHY!

 

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Any tips for improving eczema? please?

Asked: Any tips for improving eczema? please?

I was born with eczema, and it has improved over the years.I'm coming 16 and I'm just so so so self-conscious about it.It's only on my hands but it bothers me a lot.The skin on my hands are really dry and scaly and thick.All the usual eczema symptoms; inflamed patches, scales, thick skin etc.I know eczema isn't curable but at the age I'm at, I just want it not to be noticeable as being so scaly and inflamed.I don't mind if I still have dry skin.My current regime is using prescription creams (diprobase, dermal…I have them all) At night, I use cotton gloves and put on lots of moisturizer.I also, weirdly tape the top of the gloves so I can't scratch.I haven't noticed much of a difference.But I really want to get rid of the scales and inflammation, and it's moisturizing but that's it.Do I need to improve my diet? Do I need to use natural products? I just don't know.Please tell me if you'd know any ways to get rid of the scales and the redness.I know it's something to do with getting rid of the dead cells.Please and Thank you.

Answers:

Answered:
The cause of eczema is overreaction of the immune system. Identifying certain foods, chemicals, etc can be very helpful in battling this disease. I try to avoid milk products which trigger my flare-ups.
After using number of prescription drugs I've turned to the natural treatments.
Now I use SerenaSkinherbalremedies.
After about 2 weeks of using ointment and spray my skin has been cleared up, and I continue with eczema extract, which controls the immune system. My skin has been clear for months.
It is the only treatment I have found that provides me complete relief when I use it as directed.



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The Benefits of Treating Eczema with Home Remedies

 

If you suffer from eczema, you want itch relief and you want it now.  You may be willing to try anything to seek relief.  While you have many choices, there are benefits to treating your eczema with home remedies.

 

Benefit #1 – Your Options

 The phrase “home remedies,” encompasses a lot.  Typically, home remedies are used to describe common practices that you can do at home.  They are often compared to synthetic medications, which may lead to troubling side effects. 

 Since many practices can be classified as home remedies, you may wonder what can get you relief.  Get started with moisturizing.  Take a bath or a shower, lightly dry your skin leaving part of it damp, and apply moisturizer.  You lock in the moisture from the shower or bath.  Changing your diet also qualifies as a home remedy.  Eczema sufferers find success with a skin healthy diet that includes blueberry extract, vitamin E, and low-acid foods.

 

Benefit #2 – Affordability

 Whether you buy products over-the-counter at a drug store or receive a prescription from your doctor, there is likely a hefty price tag attached.  You could easily spend $1,000 or more just in one year trying to cure eczema and still be left with the uncontrollable urge to itch.  Yes, home remedies do cost money, but you will find their costs significantly lower. There is no need to go broke trying to seek relief, so don’t!

 

Benefit #3 – Fewer Risks

 As previously stated, synthetic medications usually have a long list of potential side effects.  Do you really want to subject your body to these?  No and that is why home remedies are great for eczema.  By this point in time, you are well aware of any allergies to food and chemicals.  This means you can moisturize your body without worry and alter your diet to see success.  With home remedies, there is no need to worry about stomach bleeding, diarrhea, or other common side effects of synthetic medicines.

 

Benefit #4 – No Need for Costly Doctor’s Appointments

 With the exception of a skin infection caused by eczema, medical treatment is not needed.  You can and should treat it from home.  Best of all, home remedies not only enable you to avoid expensive doctor’s appointments, but you are in control.  This works to your advantage, as you know your body best, not a doctor who can barely remember your name.

Kathy Davison

 

Curing eczema is a challenge, but one you must undertake too seek relief.  Luckily, it has gotten easier.  New research has shown that all-natural cures, such as Eczema Free Forever, are successful. 

Read more about the system by visiting EczemaFreeForever.com.

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