What Is Eczema? And What Treatments Can Help?

What Is Eczema? And What Treatments Can Help?

What Is Eczema? And What Treatments Can Help?


Most people with eczema ask the following questions; what is eczema, what causes it, and what are the treatments? The following article answers these three commonly asked questions and provides guidance and recommendations to live a better more bearable life with eczema.

In the UK, one of every five kids and one of every 12 grown-ups have Eczema, yet in spite of the regular idea of the skin condition, it can leave sufferers feeling unsure. What is eczema? Well, let’s dive right into the facts.

Blogging about his experience of living with skin inflammation on HuffPost UK, Liam Beattie stated: “Skin conditions may on appearance have all the earmarks of being simply physical harm, [but] it really affects individuals’ mentally and psychically.

“Growing up I battled unlimited fights to beat the frailties I had over my appearance. It wasn’t quite recently that I didn’t need others to see me, I would go as far not to even look at myself in mirrors in shops.”

This National Eczema Week, philanthropies around the UK are bringing issues to light of the condition so sufferers like Beattie feel less excluded and others better comprehend the condition.

So if you have Eczema and want to learn more about the condition, this article may help.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a skin condition where the skin becomes inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and very rough. This term is usually used to generally describe common skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, and nummular eczema. Although there are several types of eczema, the most common type is atopic dermatitis. Along with the previously listed effects, the skin of those who suffer from eczema may start to blister if not treated properly. Some things that can cause such reactions is the consumption of certain foods like tomatoes, nuts and dairy. The specific effects of eating such foods vary depending on the age of the candidate. Although this may be the case, most reactions result in red and itchy bumps that are very hard to resist scratching. Along with the consumption of certain foods, various environmental aspects, such as smoke and pollen, can cause the irritation of eczema. Despite the redness and itchy qualities eczema has, it is not contagious. 

Eczema is a non-infectious dry skin condition where manifestations and seriousness vary from individual to individual.

While there are a few unique sorts of skin inflammation, Atopic Eczema (otherwise called atopic dermatitis) is by a wide margin the most well-known.

Atopic Eczema is the most common Eczema of the skin portrayed by dryness and tingling. It affects both men and ladies similarly and normally shows in the principal weeks or long stretches of life,” Dr Anjali Mahto, specialist dermatologist, and British Skin Foundation representative disclosed to HuffPost UK.

“In straightforward terms, the skin in patients with atopic eczema doesn’t work exceptionally well, which implies aggravations can enter the skin causing irritation and dryness of the skin.”

As per the NHS, different sorts of less regular Eczema include:

Discoid Eczema – skin inflammation that happens in oval patches.

Contact Eczema – skin inflammation that happens when the body comes into contact with a specific substance and can be affected by material, chemical, clothing etc.

Varicose Eczema – skin inflammation that influences the lower legs and is caused by issues with the stream of blood through the leg veins.

Seborrhoeic Skin Inflammation – Eczema where red patches create on the sides of the nose, eyebrows, ears and scalp.

Dyshidrotic Eczema (pompholyx) – skin inflammation that makes little rankles eject over the palms of the hands.

What Causes Atopic Eczema?

Like all forms of eczema appearing on various parts of the body, ear eczema differs. This is due to the fact that each individual who may suffer from ear eczema may have a different type of eczema affecting them. The two most common types of ear eczema are Asteatotic Eczema and Seborrheic Eczema.

Asteatotic Eczema

Is most commonly found in older people. This form of eczema typically occurs when the skin has been exposed to varying weather climates. As with most eczema, a drastic change in weather or temperature affects the symptoms one may have. This is more so a factor with asteatotic eczema. When these symptoms occur, one must refrain from overwashing, indoor heating, and windy conditions.

Seborrheic Eczema

Is generally forms on the oiliest parts of the skin. It begins to develop during puberty or during adulthood. If these symptoms are seen in infants, it is genuinely referred to as cradle cap. Luckily, most cases of cradle cap tend to dissipate by the time the infant is one year old. Some common triggers or irritants that do affect both the aforementioned types of eczema are hair products, earrings, cellphones, headphones, makeup, and other personal care products. 

Dr Mahto clarified that the reason for skin inflammation is as yet not completely seen, but rather it tends to keep running in families and frequently creates close by different conditions, for example, asthma and roughage fever.

“Skin inflammation can’t be ‘got’ from other individuals. Regular daily existence is loaded with triggers that can make dermatitis, or the related tingling, more terrible, so care ought to be taken to limit or keep away from presentation to them,” she said.

“A portion of the fundamental guilty parties incorporate warmth, clean, cleanser, and cleanser. Being unwell, (for example, having a cold), contaminations, stress, and dryness of the skin would all be able to cause flare-ups.”

The NHS exhorts that ladies may discover their side effects deteriorate in the days prior to their period or amid pregnancy while others report that their manifestations deteriorate when the air is dry, for example, in the winter months when we’re presented to focal warming.

As per Dr Mahto, in a little level of cases, skin inflammation can likewise be connected to eating regimen and it is along these lines worth looking out for any examples in your eating regimen that appear to be connected with flare-ups. “Potential offenders incorporate dairy items, chocolate, eggs, peanuts, citrus products of the soil,” she said.

Dietician Dr Sarah Schenker, who works with the skin inflammation cream mark Cetraben, said that including satisfactory admissions of vitamin D inside your eating routine can help ease dermatitis side effects.

“This can be found in sleek fish which gives vitamin D and furthermore guarantees a decent admission of omega 3 fats. Probiotics and prebiotics may likewise help oversee dermatitis, they can be taken either as a nourishment supplement or from expanding sustenance sources in the eating regimen, for example, live yogurts, whole grains and green verdant veg,” she said.

Dr Schenker included that eating sustenances in vitamin C is basic for solid skin, especially in case you’re inclined to conditions, for example, dermatitis.

“One of its [vitamin C’s] most vital parts of the body is in the creation of collagen, a protein required for wound recuperating,” she clarified.

“It is additionally an imperative supplement for the resistant framework which wards off attacking microscopic organisms and infections and ensures against ailment. Solid skin is reliant on great insusceptibility.”

A few discussions likewise recommend decreasing liquor can be fundamental to enhancing dermatitis indications as drinking liquor gets dried out the body and thusly dries out the skin, conceivably expanding awkward splits and tingling.

What medicines are accessible for atopic skin inflammation?

Your GP might have the capacity to help you to distinguish triggers that aggravate your skin inflammation, which means these would then be able to be maintained a strategic distance from however much as could reasonably be expected.

Notwithstanding, Dr Mahto said you may even now need to utilize an emollient, which can come as a moisturizer, cream or treatment, keeping in mind the end goal to ease manifestations of dryness and tingling.

“Talk with your specialist or dermatologist who will help locate the best emollient

for you and your skin. It’s regularly an instance of experimentation to see which works best for every patient,” she said.

“In more extreme cases topical steroids, anti-toxins and disinfectants, topical

immunosuppressants or UV light treatment can be utilized to treat Eczema.”

Dr Mahto included that while emollients will keep skin saturated, you ought to likewise make sure to utilize aroma free cleansers, which can regularly aggravate side effects.

“Try not to wash more every now and again that would normally be appropriate and wear non-disturbing textures, for example, cotton,” she said.

“In particular make an effort not to scratch as the softened skin can give microscopic organisms up, which a chance to can cause disease.”

On the off chance that living with dermatitis is influencing your emotional well-being, address your GP who may allude you to CBT (psychological behavioral treatment), or address one of the emotional well-being foundations beneath.

What Are The Symptoms? 

Symptoms of eczema vary depending on age and the severity one may have. Eczema normally develops before the age of five and stays with them as they become an adult. During the growth from infant to adult, eczema presents itself in the following ways: 

Symptoms in 2-Year-Old Infants

  • Rashes form of their scalps and cheeks 
  • Rashes form on their scalps and cheeks that bubble up before liquid leaks from them 
  • Rashes that form can be very itchy and can interfere with sleeping 
    • One must be sure to prevent scratching for this can lead to skin infections 

Symptoms in Children 2 Years and Up 

  • Rashes form behind the creases of elbows and or knees 
  • Rashes also form on the neck, wrists, ankles and or the crease between the buttock and legs 
  • As time goes on, rashes can become 
    • Bumpy 
    • Lighten or darken in color 
    • Rashes can thicken during a process called lichenification 
      • Lichenification: when your skin becomes thick and leathery 
    • These rashes can cause knots and a permanent itch  

Symptoms in Adults 

  • Rashes in the creases of elbows 
  • Rashes covering the entire body 
  • Very red and irritating rashes on the neck, face, and around the eyes 
  • Dry skin caused by rashes 
  • Permanent itch cause caused by rashes 
  • Rashes can also lead to infections 
    • Adults who had atopic dermatitis when younger may still suffer from symptoms like dry or easily irritated skin

What Are The Treatments? 

There are several treatments that can help mitigate the symptoms eczema may cause at any age. The best care tips and treatments for eczema are as follows;

At-Home Remedies and Tips  

  1. Moisturize thoroughly daily 
  2. Moisturize within 3 minutes of getting out of a bath to keep in as much moisture in the skin as possible 
  3. Take lukewarm baths; never hot!
  4. Never rub the skin; this could cause serious irritation and inflammation 
  5. Wear soft fabrics like cotton; avoid wearing rough or scratchy fabrics as well as tight clothing 
  6. Use mild soaps that are not likely to cause irritation to sensitive skin; non-soap cleansers are recommended
  7. Observe what may trigger your eczema in attempts to decrease irritation or inflammation 
  8. Use a humidifier during dry and or cold weather; if the atmosphere is very dry and cold, this could make eczema symptoms very irritated
  9. Keep fingernails short; this will prevent scratching as well as decrease the likelihood of breaking and or damaging the skin

Medical Remedies and Tips 

  1. Topical Corticosteroid Creams and Ointments: these types of topical medications are anti-inflammatory and relieve symptoms of eczema like inflammation and severe itchiness.
  1. Systemic Corticosteroids: if topical creams/ointments are used and are proven to be non-effective, systemic corticosteroids are prescribed. They can be injected or taken by mouth for short periods of time.
  2. Antibiotics: antibiotics are only prescribed when a bacterial skin infection is seen. This can be caused from scratching the skin leaving room for a variety of different infections.
  3. Antiviral and Antifungal Medications: these medications are given when fungal and or viral infections are displayed. This can be caused from scratching the skin leaving room for a variety of different infections. 
  4. Antihistamines: medications like these can reduce the urge to scratch at night because they can cause drowsiness. 
  5. Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors: for cases of more severe eczema, this medication is given. It suppresses the immune system which ultimately decreases inflammation and prevents flare-ups. 
  6. Barrier Repair Moisturizers: this medication reduces the loss of water or moisture in the skin. 
  7. Phototherapy: for moderate cases of eczema, phototherapy is necessary. This consists of exposing the skin to ultraviolet A and or B waves combined or separately. 

                 *All of these treatments should and must be discussed with a doctor before using*



No matter what severity of eczema you have, there is some form of treatment or procedure that can be done to mitigate the symptoms and painful aspects of having this skin condition. All medical treatments of any kind should be discussed with a doctor before using it.
