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Learning More About Eczema

Published on September 27, 2017

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a disease where rashes are developed on the skin. The skin can become red in color, inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough. The disease sometimes lasts for a short period, and in other cases, it remains as a lifelong condition. Blisters and rashes are seen when the condition is still mild. If it gets worse, the skin thickens up.

The disease mostly affects only a part of the body. In certain cases, the entire body is affected. The different types of eczema are irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis.

Causes

Eczema is caused due to environmental and genetic factors. However, the exact cause is difficult to determine. Children have a high chance of developing the disease when their parents have had a history with it. The chances of getting infected increase further if both parents have been infected by it.

Some of the causes are:

• Irritants such as soaps, shampoos, and detergents

• Microbes such as bacteria, virus, and fungi

• Extreme changes in temperature

• Allergens such as pollen and dust

• Food habits and stress patterns

Symptoms

The symptoms of eczema can be severe in certain people due to the anatomy of their body. It is commonly found in children between 1 to 10 years old. Individuals from other age groups can also be infected by it.

Here are some of the common symptoms of eczema in infants:

• Rashes on the cheeks and scalp

• Pus-like liquid oozing from the rashes

• Extreme itching and irritation

These are some common eczema symptoms in children and teenagers:

• Rashes on various body parts, such as the neck, face, scalp, knees, elbows, ankles, and buttocks

• Extreme itching and redness

• Swelling of the rashes that appears as blisters with oozing pus

• Rashes that thicken and develop into hard knots, which may turn into a permanent itch

The following are some common eczema symptoms in adults:

• Rashes on most parts of the body, most prominently on the elbows, knees, neck, face, and stomach

• Rashes that turn into a permanent itch when scratched or rubbed continuously

• Dry and scaly skin

• Cracks on the surface of the skin

• Further skin infections

Treatment

It is most often said that there is no cure for eczema; it can only be controlled or reduced in severity. The control of the condition varies with each person. It tends to go away with time in some people, and for others, it remains as a lifelong condition.

Some of the effective remedies to reduce the effects of eczema are:

• Retaining the moisture in the skin by using moisturizers right after taking a bath

• Avoiding stepping out in the sun in order to reduce the irritation caused

• Using mild soaps and taking bath in lukewarm water

• Avoiding scratching or rubbing the infected areas, as it can make it worse

• Consulting a dermatologist if the condition is severe and using their recommended treatment

Make an Appointment and Get Your Eczema Treated

If you are suffering from persistent eczema and are tired of dealing with the symptoms, it’s time to do something about it. Schedule a consultation with dermatologic surgeon Dr. David Kriegel for an examination of your skin and a recommendation for effective treatment.