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The term Eczema encompasses a vast array of skin problems that effect people in different ways at various times in their lives. Eczema is a chronic skin disorder that causes an itchy, red, raised rash that may weep or ooze clear fluid. Eczema is not contagious, but there is currently not a cure. Eczema is often worse during infancy and usually improves by during adulthood.
There are many forms of Eczema. The most common forms of Eczema is Atopic Dermatitis. This particular type of affliction is closely linked with asthma and hay fever. This kind of Eczema usually runs in families affecting both children and adults. Atopic Eczema can be unbearable due to the constant itchiness associated with this form. The constant scratching can lead to infection. If infected, the skin may crack and weep eczema. Other symptoms of Atopic Eczema include overall dry skin, redness and inflammation.
Another form of Eczema is Allergic Contact Dermatitis. This ailment occurs when the immune system adversely reacts toward a substance that comes in contact with the skin. An allergic reaction usually develops over a prolonged period of time as a result of repeated contact with the substance. A quite common example involves the metal, nickel. For many, jewelry, especially earrings that are composed of nickel-plating, cause allergic reactions that may result in severe rashes on the ear lobes.
Irritant Contact Dermatitis is a type of eczema that happens due to frequent contact with everyday products. These items may be basic substances such as detergents, chemicals or clothing.
Infantile Seborrheic Eczema is a very common condition affecting babies under one year of age. This Eczema is also known as "cradle cap". Although this type of eczema looks unpleasant, it is not sore or itchy nor does it cause the baby discomfort. This type of eczema will usually clear up in just a few months with the use of moisturizing creams and bath oils.
Adult Seborrheic Eczema affects adults between the ages of twenty and forty years. Appearing to be a mild case of dandruff, it can spread to the face, ears and chest. The skin becomes red, inflamed and starts to flake. This condition is believed to be the result of a yeast growth produced by the body.
Varicose Eczema is caused by poor circulation and affects the lower legs of people in their advanced years. Commonly the skin around the ankles is affected, becoming speckled, itchy and inflamed.
Discoid Eczema appears suddenly as a coin shaped areas of red skin on the back, abdomen, or lower legs. The affected areas may become itchy and can weep fluid. This particular type of Eczema is most common to adults.
If you have a form of Eczema, than you are not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of the world population is affected by Eczema at some point during their lives. In the United States alone, estimates are that 15 million people or more have some form of eczema. Almost 15 percent of all infants have eczema.
The Cause of Eczema:
Although the exact cause or causes for this affliction is unknown, the condition may be attributed to an abnormal response from the immune system of the body. To understand Eczema is to understand the largest organ in the human body, the skin. The outer layer is the epidermis. It contains sheets of epithelial cells called keratinocytes. These keratinocytes are produced at the junction between the epidermis and the second layer of skin, the dermis. The epidermis is supported from below by the dermis. The dermis is made up of connective tissue that contains a mixture of cells giving strength and elasticity to the skin. This dermis layer also contains blood vessels, hair follicles and roots, nerve endings, sweat and lymph vessels, and glands. The elements of the dermis all carry fluids to and from the epidermis so it can grow, respond to the outside world, and react to what goes on inside the body. The epidermis contains many layers of closely packed cells. The skin cells that are closest to the surface are flat and contain a substance called keratin. The epidermis contains no blood vessels, since these are all in the dermis and deeper layers of tissue. Dead cells are shed from the surface of the epidermis and are replaced by other cells that pass from the deepest layers to the surface layers over a monthly cycle. The dead cells on the surface are closely packed together in order to repel bacteria and other micro-organisms.
With Eczema, the problem occurs in the epidermis where the keratinocytes become less tightly held together. Due to this factor, the skin becomes vulnerable to external factors such as soap, water and solvents. These substances dissolve some of the natural barriers of the skin. The skin may then become inflamed as a reaction to minor irritation such as rubbing or scratching. This causes the eczema to worsen, creating a constant cycle of irritation and inflammation. In essence, this is what causes the itches and flare-ups. For some people, upper respiratory infections may also trigger an outbreak, while for others stress or stressful situations can bring on a flare-up.
The Symptoms of Eczema:
Although Eczema may appear differently with each person, an elderly person may have dry red-colored skin around the ankles, a child may possess weeping red patches on the wrists, to someone whose eyelids are itchy, red, dry, and puffy. Eczema causes the skin to become dry, making it feel rough, scaly and thicker. In severe cases, Eczema after time or due to constant scratching may cause the skin to become wet with a colorless fluid that could be sometimes mixed with blood because of itching. Eczema can occur on any part of the body, though it typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck.
Here are the actual symptoms for almost all common forms of Eczema:
- The Itch: With nearly all forms of eczema, itchiness is a major factor. The severity can varying from mild a irritation to a constant distracting and distressing symptom, that cam make life absolutely miserable.
- The Redness: Usually present in all types of Eczema is redness. The color can vary in each case from a bright red to a pale almost pink shade, however. The redness will be accentuated due to heat caused by temperature, stress or exercise.
- The Dryness: Another constant symptom is dryness. Your skin may feel rough, scaly and thickened. This condition reduces the quality of the skin and makes it less protective against heat, cold, fluid loss and bacterial infection.
- The Wetness: This particular characteristic is mostly prevalent in severe cases of Eczema. This wetness or weeping appearance usually escalates when the condition is neglected for a period of time or when frequent scratching has caused an infection.
The Treatment of Eczema:
The most important step in order to effectively treat an Eczema is to be certain that you seek a correct diagnosis. For this reason, it is necessary to see a your physician. This may result in a referral to see a dermatologist for a further diagnosis and treatment.
The next important step is to refrain from scratching. The application of creams, sprays, and lotions keep the condition moist thus reducing the irritating itchiness. Bathing in cool water or adding cold compresses applied directly to the skin will also assist in relieving the itch. If the condition does not improve, the application of nonprescription corticosteroid creams and ointments may be necessary. In some cases, more potent prescription corticosteroid creams and ointments may be prescribed. Though effective, there may have some side effects associated with frequent usage. In certain instances due to severe flare-ups, a physician may prescribe oral corticosteroids. These should not be prescribed or taken for long periods of time.
For skin that is continually infected, a doctor may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infections.
For severe itching, sedative antihistamines are sometimes used to reduce the itch. Due to the side effects related to these products, they are best taken prior to bedtime.
Tar treatments and phototherapy are sometimes employed to treat certain types of Eczema. Both treatments have positive and negative aspects. The tar can be very messy while the phototherapy requires special equipment and is expensive.
Topical immunomodulators (TIM) is a new class of drugs that have been recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for usage in the treatment of eczema. Studies have shown that this type of medication can improve or completely clear eczema.
Additonal treatments that have shown to be effective for most Eczemas involve products that contain zinc and zinc compounds, creams that contain zinc oxide, salicylic acid
The Prevention of Eczema:
It is possible to reduce and control Eczema outbreaks if some of the following precautions are observed:
- Try to moisturize your skin as often as possible with non-irritant creams, lotions, or gels.
- As much as possible avoid sudden extremely cold or very warm air and water temperatures.
- Though exercising is definitely essential for good health, do not over-exert yourself in order to limit overheating and perspiration.
- Make a concerted effort to limit stress, whenever possible.
- Do not wear apparel that is inherently irritating. This would include woolen clothes, lacy material, and any other types of scratchy fabrics.
- The usage of certain soaps, bath gels, washing detergents, and chemical solvents.
- There are a number of environmental factors that can cause allergic reactions such as; pollens, molds, mites, and animal dander.
- Many foods can bring about Eczema outbreaks. This is particularly true when ingesting spicy and hot foods.
- Do everything possible to stop itching and scratching. This is of the utmost importance with Eczema in children.
Here are a few helpful tips to assist and limit the scratching and itchiness for children and adults, as well:
- Keep fingernails short.
- Dress in cotton clothes.
- Sleep in clean cool bedding.
- For infants, cover their hands with cotton mittens in order to reduce scratching during sleep time.
- Apply moisturizing creams and lotions at a minimum of three times a day.
- Do not use petroleum jelly on the skin at any time.
- The use of a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom may be very helpful.
- Although topical, coal-tar, based products, oral antihistamines and over the counter corticosteroids may all be used to treat the symptoms.
It is strongly urged that these are used only with the knowledge of your physician or pediatrician.
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