Identifying the Eczema, Its Symptoms and TreatmentWhat is Eczema? – Identifying the Eczema, Its Symptoms and Treatment

Information About Eczema

Medical conditions that make the skin inflamed and irritated are basically regarded as Eczema. Many think Eczema is a disease when it actually a reaction brought about by certain conditions. There are different types of eczema but one that is most common is the atopic dermatitis. It is sometimes called atopic eczema, which is prevalent in people suffering from asthma and hay fever.

Based on studies, around 10 to 20 percent of babies in the United States suffer from eczema. Some of these infants are able to outgrow it by the time they reached their 10th birthday. Unfortunately, the others have to endure it for the rest of their life. Meanwhile, around 3 percent of older kids and adults suffer from the disease. The experts believe that with due attention, eczema can be properly managed.

What Causes Eczema?

There is no known direct cause of eczema up to this day. However, the experts believe it has something to do with the excessive reaction of one immune system to a source of irritation. Eczema is also linked to asthma or allergies because most individuals who have eczema have someone in the family or previously or currently a sufferer of these conditions. People who have existing defects in the skin are also prone to have eczema because the germs can get easily get into the pores due to the skin moisture which is not within the normal range.

People have different levels of tolerance when it comes to responding to and recovering from irritants. Some individuals easily flare up from a simply rash. The others tend to get itchy skin immediately after a contact with rough objects. Other irritants that can lead to eczema may come in the form of hotness and coldness, strong detergent or soap and animal dander. Meanwhile, poor health condition resulting from upper respiratory infection, colds and stress may also trigger eczema.

Identifying Eczema by Diagnosis

There are 11 skin conditions that can result to eczema. Distinguishing which among these types a person has can help the doctors in determining the treatment plan which will work best for the patient.

1. Atopic dermatitis

2. Pompholyx

3. Allergic contact dermatitis

4. Fungal infections

5. Irritant dermatitis

6. Stasis dermatitis

7. Scabies

8. Seborrheic eczema

9. Xerotic eczema

10. Lichen simplex chronicus

11. Nummular eczema

Diagnosing eczema can be administered by a dermatologist or a pediatrician. In some cases, the patient will not be asked to undergo any other tests apart from allergy test. Just by looking at one skin, the doctor can already tell if your condition falls under eczema. But for most doctors, assessment of the entire skin surface will be a part of the diagnosis. Some even recommend having a sample of the skin for laboratory test.

What is Eczema Treatment?

The most common reason why eczema treatment needs to be carried out is to stop itchiness. When the skin gets itchy and the person keeps on scratching it, the skin becomes prone to infection.

Treatment in the form of lotion and creams are advised to moisten the skin. Eczema can make the skin really dry and itchy and supplying it with moisture can ease the discomfort. These lotions and creams are commonly put on the skin while it a bit wet. It works best when applied on the skin right after taking a bath.

There are also over-the- counter products which eczema sufferers can use for immediate relief. A great example of items used for this purpose is hydrocortisone cream. While these items can be easily purchased without the doctor prescription, it is strongly advised to seek one from the health care provider before heading to the drugstore. In the event the case of the patient becomes more serious because of infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. Other eczema treatments include antihistamines, phototherapy, tar treatment and intake of cyclosporine.

Prevention of Eczema

To avoid having eczema outbreak, it is important to keep the skin moisturized as frequent as possible. Refrain from moving from one place to another where the temperature is extremely opposite. Try not to sweat excessively and avoid using soaps and detergents with strong chemical contents. Most importantly, keep your meals healthy and have enough sleep. Free yourself from stress as this is considered one of the universal factors that contribute to getting a disease.