Eczema

ECZEMA Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. Atopic eczema mainly affects children, but it can continue into adulthood or later start in life. Eczema is a chronic skin condition in which the skin becomes itchy, reddened, cracked and dry. It affects both males and females equally, as well as people from different ethnic backgrounds. As atopic eczema is a chronic disease symptoms are generally present all the time. A chronic disease is a long-term one; one that persists for a long time. However, during a flare-up symptoms will worsen and the patient will probably require more intense treatment. Some common symptoms are broken places on the skin, crack, usually feel dry, itchy and sometimes raw, itching usually worsen at night. The areas on the body may consist of the hands, feet, arms, behind the knee, ankles, wrist, face, neck, and upper chest. Things that will worsen atopic eczema is prolonged hot showers or baths, allowing the skin to stay dry, stress, sweating, rapid temperature changing, dry air, certain fabric, such as wool, cigarette smoke, dust, some soaps, solvent, or detergents and fragrance. The oily (lipid) barrier of skin is usually reduced in people with atopic eczema, compared to other people. The lipid barrier helps prevent water loss. If your barrier is reduced you will lose water faster and your skin will be drier. The immune system cells of people with atopic eczema release chemicals under the skin’s surface which may cause inflammation. Experts are not 100% sure why this happens. Hey just know that it is an immune system overreaction. Environmental factors are also known as allergens-they cause the body’s immune system to overact; an allergic reaction. Bathing in hard water is bad for people with eczema, you may want install water soften in the home to improve the symptoms. Foods that typically cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive immune systems are milk, eggs, nuts, wheat. About 10% of children with atopic eczema are affected by food allergens. Foods rarely affect the symptoms of adults with eczema. No laboratory test or skin test currently exists which can diagnose atopic eczema. A doctor is able to diagnose atopic eczema after examining the patient and asking questions about his/her symptoms and medical history. There is currently no cure for atopic eczema there is no treatment that gets rid of it for good. One treatment for atopic eczema is self-care which consists of cutting nails, avoid items that trigger the response. Washing in detergent that has no fragrance, try using all with no dye or dreft. Oatmeal baths are good to soothe the skin. Applying creams and lotions immediately after bathing.

REFERENCE
Williams, H. C., & Grindlay, D. C. (2010). What’s new in atopic eczema? An analysis of systematic reviews published in 2007 and 2008. Part 1. Definitions, causes and consequences of eczema. Clinical & Experimental Dermatology, 35(1), 12-15. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2230.2009.03733.x