The UK NHS describe eczema asa chronic skin condition that causes the skin to become itchy, reddened, dry and cracked.
Eczema can vary in severity. Some people are only mildly affected and have small areas of dry skin, which are occasionally itchy. Others may experience more severe symptoms, such as cracked, sore and bleeding skin. It is not contagious.
Being a sufferer myself, I know first hand how debilitating it can be and I have tried many different treatments both from conventional and alternative medicine. In fact, it is my research which gave me the incentive to write this article. It is difficult to find the triggers, as they are so varied. Severe eczema causes intense itching. Even the lightest touch or friction can provoke itching. You very often scratch until you bleed or pick at the dry scaly skin, which aggravate the situation. However careful you are about what you wear, (I wear cotton gloves underneath my latex gloves to prevent an attack), the itching comes back with a vengeance. If the eczema is on a visible part of the body, you become very self-conscious.
Flare-ups of eczema can be caused by: dry skin, allergies, synthetic or wool fibres, emotional upsets. More and more people develop eczema because most of the products we use every day contain powerful chemicals. Synthetic ingredients that are often included in skincare products, cosmetics and hair care products, such as butyl, ethyl parabens, methyl and propyl are extremely toxic.
There are many types of eczema
- Atopic eczema is closely linked with asthma and hayfever. It is and inflamation of the skin and flare up from time to time. It is most common in children, but they generally grow out of it in their teens. There is no cure, but but the symptoms can be contained with emollient cream.
- Allergic contact dermatitis or contact dermatitis develops when the body’s immune system reacts against a substance in contact with the skin. The allergic reaction often develops over a period of time through repeated contact with an allergen that sensitizes the skin leading to acute inflammation when re-exposure occurs. The body defense mechanism can remember the allergen for many years.
- Irritant contact dermatitis This is a type of eczema caused by prolongued contact with everyday substances, such as detergents and chemicals, which irritate the skin. It disrupts the surface cells of the skin exposing the more vulnerable deeper layers. you are generally advised to avoid contact with such irritants, but if you react to several substances, it can prove quite difficult
- Infantile seborrhoeic eczemaA is a condition that affect babies under one year old, the exact cause of which is unknown. Also referred to as cradle cap because generally affect the scalp which show greasy, yellow, scaly patches. Although this type of eczema looks unpleasant, it is harmless and the baby does not feel uncomfortable and it normally clears on its own.
- Adult seborrhoeic eczema is usually seen on the scalp and start as mild dandruff, but it can progress, become red and inflamed and spread to the face, ears and chest. The cause of this condition is not entirely clear but is believed to be triggered by a yeast growth.
- Varicose eczema affects the ankles and lower legs and is caused by poor circulation in older people. It generally occurs on the skin around a varicose vein. The skin around the ankles becomes speckled, itchy and inflamed. If left untreated, the skin can break down, and become ulcerous.
- Discoid eczema or nummular dermatitis is usually found in adults with dry skin. The affected area is shaped like a coin and it surface is slightly raised and bumpy. Discoid eczema appears on the trunk or lower legs or forearms. They become itchy and can weep fluid.
Although there is no existing cure for eczema, you can find some good treatments to relieve the symptoms. As every case is different, it might take several attempts to find the the right remedy. The aim is to heal the skin and keep the inflammation at bay.
If you choose conventional medicine, your doctor will prescribe one of the following treatment:
Corticosteroid medicines because they are derivatives of the natural corticosteroid hormones we naturally produce in our adrenal glands. It helps manage the inflammation of various skin disorders. They can be taken topically (applied directly to the skin) or orally for more severe conditions.
Immunomodulators, a new class of non-steroidal drugs recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration offer hope as potential treatment options for patients with hard-to-treat skin conditions. They are generally prescribed when Corticosteroids tratments have not worked, because there has not been enough long term data to rule any possible side effects. When applied topically in a cream ointment, these therapies produce powerful anti-inflammatory effects on the skin without interfering with the body’s immune system.
Oral antihistamines will sometimes help to relieve eczema symptoms and can be useful at night-time. If taken during the day, they can cause drowsiness. Histamine, a chemical produced by the body, is responsible for many of the symptoms of inflammation, particularly itching. Antihistamines block the action of histamine and help to reduce eczema symptoms. They are available without prescription but should not be given to children under a year. It is always better to ask your pharmacist for advice.
Other Treatments exist for the most extreme cases such as Light Therapy (phototherapy). As the name suggests, this treatment uses natural or artificial light. The simplest and easiest form of phototherapy involves exposing your skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight. Other forms of light therapy include the use of artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) or ultraviolet B (UVB) light either alone or in combination with medications.
Though effective, long-term light therapy has many harmful effects, including premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. For these reasons, it’s important to consult your doctor before using light exposure as treatment for atopic dermatitis.
If your prefer the alternative route, some herbs and essential oils have proved very efficient in the treatment of eczema.
Resources
American Academy of Dermatology
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