Eczema - “The Itch That Creates Rashes
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INTRODUCTION: Eczema is a kind of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin and usually cycles, meaning that at some times of the year sufferers are able to feel normal, while at other times they will distance themselves from social inter-action. Diagnosis is usually based on the appearance of inflamed, itchy skin in sensitive areas such as face, chest and other skin crease areas.
It is sometimes spoken of as “the itch that rashes,” since the itch, when scratched, results in the development of a rash. It can occur on almost any part of the body; however, in infants, it most often occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck. Outbreaks can usually be avoided by taking precautionary measures.
DERMATITIS: One of the most common kinds of eczema is atopic dermatitis (or “atopic eczema”). There are several different forms, but the one many people usually mean when they say eczema is atopic dermatitis. In general,it will come and go, often based on external factors.
Dermatitis is a chronic skin problem recognized by itching rashes, which may be red, scaly, dry, or leathery. It is not yet known what the cause is, but it does tend to run in families that have a history of asthma, allergies or atopic dermatitis.
Some herbs, such as chamomile, are known to produce allergic contact dermatitis. It is a chronic disease, but only a third of children with it will continue to have problems as they get older. In atopic dermatitis it is usual for there to be episodes of calm mixed with flares ups of eczema. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema.
TREATMENT: Using moisturizers is one of the most important self-care treatments for sufferers of the disease. Another course of treatment is bathing using colloidal oatmeal baths. Other than direct treatments of the symptoms, no cure is presently known for most types of eczema; even cortisone and immuno-modulation may often have only minimum effects on what may be a complex problem.
These applications are generally most effective when applied directly after bathing (within three minutes is a common recommendation) so that the moisture from the bath is “locked in”. Tar treatments and photo-therapy are also used and can have positive effects; however, tar can be messy.
While there are a lot of therapies, it isn’t always easy to find the one that works for you. Patients with eczema can be treated, but traditional therapies often don’t help a pain which is more than skin deep. The primary treatments are aimed at controlling and preventing inflammation and itching including avoiding triggers, frequent bathing and hydration of the skin, liberal use of moisturizers and lubricants, and the use of steroid creams for flare ups.
With many kinds of treatments on the market, it’s critical to be well informed when making decisions with your physician. The natural human desire to scratch or rub an itchy rash simply makes the condition worse, and treatments can be slow and are not always totally effective.
CONCLUSION: Eczema is a general term embracing various inflamed skin conditions and occurs in both children and grownups, but commonly appears during infancy. It is an allergic condition that affects the skin. Also known as dermatitis it can be worsen by dryness of the skin. It’s not catchable but like many diseases, currently there is no cure.
The National Institutes of Health estimates that 15 million people in the US have some form of dermatitis. About 10% to 20% of all infants have it; however, in nearly half of these children, the problem will improve greatly by the time they are between five and 15 years old.
Since dermatitis is usually dry and itchy, the most common treatment is the use of lotions or creams to keep the skin as moist as possible. One of the most important parts of a treatment routine is to prevent scratching.
Finally, in cases where eczema is resistant to therapy, your physician may prescribe the drug cyclosporine A, which modifies immune response; however, this is used only in extreme cases because of its association with serious side effects.
