Eczema

Eczema

Eczema is a skin problem characterized by dry skin. Eczema affects one in five children and one in 12 adults. Also known as dermatitis, eczema is a condition that causes skin to become extremely dry and painful.

Types of Eczema

There are various types of eczema. The type of eczema you are diagnosed with will determine which treatment is most suitable to relieve the symptoms and prevent future outbreaks.

Atopic eczema is the most common and is diagnosed in one in three children who visit a dermatologist with a skin rash. 'Atopic' is used to describe a person who has a genetic make-up that makes them prone to allergies. Atopic eczema is not simply an allergy - it is connected to genetic factors. Children whose parents suffer from atopic of eczema are more likely to have eczema themselves - one in eight children with eczema have parents with eczema.

Contact eczema is triggered by an allergic reaction to a substance the skin comes into contact with. People who suffer from contact eczema, or contact dermatitis, will suffer a reaction when the skin touches an allergen such as

Seborrheic eczema is most commonly known as cradle cap in babies and is a type of eczema that affects people with AIDS.

Dyshidrotic eczema is a rare form of eczema that affects the hands and causes a burning sensation on the skin of palms and soles of feet. Dyshidrotic eczema is characterised by clear blisters.

Causes of eczema

There is no definitive cause of eczema. Eczema symptoms can appear as a result of an allergic reaction or flare up for no apparent reason. Some dermatologists suggest that eczema can be stress related.

The skin has an outer layer of oil that helps to keep moisture inside the skin. People with eczema tend to have less oily skin causing the water to evaporate and skin to dry out more easily.

If a person has eczema, the chance of that person developing another allergy such as asthma, hayfever or a food intolerance is increased.

Symptoms of eczema

Eczema is characterized by areas of dry skin on the body. Initially, an eczema flare up will start with a small localized patch of dry skin. Problem areas for eczema are:

• elbows
• wrists
  
• back of knees
  
• neck
• hands

As the eczema rash develops the affected are of skin will become red and inflamed. The skin may blister and crack. The areas of skin affected by eczema will often bleed as the skin cracks.

Treatment for eczema

Eczema treatment involves a combination of easing the pain of symptoms and preventing future eczema outbreaks on the skin.  There are self-help steps you can take to prevent eczema flare ups combined with dermatological treatment:

Remove the allergen - If the eczema is triggered by a reaction to a substance in contact with the skin, avoid contact with the substance. Washing powders can often trigger eczema flare ups.

Keep skin moisturised - Eczema symptoms of dry skin will worsen and the skin can crack and bleed if moisture is not locked into the skin. Applying sensitive-skin moisturising creams can ease symptoms.

Medicate the skin - dermatologists can advise on the most suitable medicated creams to relieve the symptoms of eczema. In general, steroid creams can reduce the inflammation and skin soothing lotions such as camomile can relieve the itching.

Keep skin clean - Use non-scented soaps and clean the infected area daily to prevent infection spreading