Eczema - Symptoms and Treatment

Eczema is a form of dermatitis , or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. There are different types of dermatitis, and the disorder can have many causes and occur in many forms. Generally, dermatitis describes swollen, reddened and itchy skin. Approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of the world population is affected by this chronic, relapsing, and very itchy rash at some point during childhood. Fortunately, many children with eczema find that the disease clears and often disappears with age. In general, atopic dermatitis will come and go, often based on external factors. Although its cause is unknown, the condition appears to be an abnormal response of the body's immune system . People with eczema often have a family history of the condition or a family history of other allergic conditions, such as asthma or hay fever. Eczema might look different in different persons, and may occur in different parts of the body to different person. In adults, eczema most often develops on the hands and elbows, and in "bending" areas such as the inside of the elbows and back of the knees. In young children, eczema most often develops on the elbows, knees, face, neck, and scalp.

It is a disorder of the skin like psoriasis and it is related to malfunctions of the immune system. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a mild inflammation of the skin. It may occur at any time at infancy, later in childhood, or even an adult can suffer from it. Symptoms of eczema may include red, itchy skin and sores that ooze and crust over. One out of ten children develops eczema, but more than half of them lose it by the time they reach their teens. It is a chronic inflammation of skin categorized by scaly and itching rashes.

Causes of Eczema

Common Causes of Eczema :

• Food allergy is more frequent in infants and children with atopic dermatitis. The food allergies includes allergies with - nuts, eggs, dairy products.
• Fungal skin infection.
• Bacterial and viral skin infections may also cause eczema.
• Changes in temperature or humidity, are one of the main causes of eczema.
• Intense emotion or stress, may also cause eczema.
• The chemical irritants, such as - pesticides, paint strippers, alcohol, astringents, perfumes, harsh soaps, detergents, and household cleaners may lead to the condition of eczema.

Symptoms of Eczema

Some common Symptoms of Eczema :

• Dry and flaky skin.
• Itching.
• Itchy blisters.
• Redness on skin.
• Small bumps on forehead, neck and cheek.

Treatment of Eczema

• Topical corticosteroids , reduce inflammation in the skin and are usually safe and very effective in curing eczema when used correctly. Mild corticosteroids are generally used for children and on the face and flexures, eg crease of the elbow, behind the knees etc.
• The use of immunosuppressant medicines , may be tried to bring the inflammation of skin under control.
• Light treatment (photo therapy) is another effective remedy for people suffering with eczema. UVB light therapy can be extremely beneficial, as can PUVA, which involves a combination of a drug called psoralen taken by mouth, followed two hours later by UVA light treatment.
• Avoid frequent use of soaps, hot water, and other cleansing procedures (especially if you have a dry skin type) that tend to remove natural oil from the skin.
• The treatment with antimicrobial medicines , such as antibiotics, antifungals or antivirals helps, to reduce the swelling area of skin.
• A very common treatment for treating eczema involves - applying lotions, creams, or ointments to keep the skin as moist as possible.

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