Eczema treatment, Picture, Cause, Cure for eczema, Natural Cream, Home remedy for eczema and Medication Drugs

Eczema is a condition of the skin that usually occurs on the insides of joints but in severe cases can break out all over the body, including the face. The skin reacts to a wide range of irritants and allergies and breaks out in a red, itchy, dry and inflamed rash, usually in patches. The intense scratching eczema provokes can cause bleeding and weeping sores. The word 'dermatitis' means skin inflammation and is often used to describe eczema.

Eczema Cause

Eczema is very common, affects up to one in five people and can start at any age. External factors may be a trigger, and people often become well aware of what sets off their eczema, such as a soap or fibre or plant, for example. One common substance is latex rubber: because eczema and dermatitis are dry skin conditions, many people try to keep their hands dry by using rubber gloves, but this could make matters worse as the gloves may be irritant. Wearing creams covered by cotton gloves underneath the gloves is ideal.

Some foodstuffs may cause outbreaks of eczema. In children, in particular, it may be worthwhile trying to exclude dairy products from the diet for at least two months to see whether there is any improvement. Various perfumes, lanolin and metals may also trigger an outbreak of eczema. Often there may be no obvious cause. Sometimes eczema appears to be made worse by stress, but being itchy and sore is stressful in itself, so it is difficult to be sure which comes first.

Eczema Symptom

There are several symptoms of eczema, some of them are as follows:

• dry skin
• intense itching
• red, scaly patches of skin
• blisters
• weeping areas

Eczema Treatment - Natural Cure for Eczema at home

• The worst part of eczema is usually the itching, which always causes scratching. Scratching causes a release of chemicals, one of which is called histamine, which in itself causes itching. Once the itch-scratch cycle has been set up it must be broken, which is achieved through the use of antihistamine tablets or medicines. There are some very powerful modern an tihistamines that work without causing drowsiness.
• Three other major problems exist in eczema. The fundamental problem is very dry, easy to crack skin. To treat this, masses of skin softeners should be used. Ointments are ideal as they trap moisture into the skin and stop water leaking out, but because they are greasy these may be best applied at night. Moisturising creams should be liberally applied during the day. Add moisturising oils to bathwater to counteract skin dryness. It is essential not to feel limited by the amounts supplied by your doctor or the cost of over-the-counter preparations. For children all prescriptions are free, and it may well be that your doctor doesn't realize just how much moisturiser you need in a month - if you are using them regularly and liberally you may need to ask for more.
• Inflammation of the skin, causing redness and itching, is an important part of the eczema story. The best treatments to suppress inflammation are steroid creams, but many people dislike using them. Undoubtedly strong steroids used over years can cause skin thinning and possibly growth retardation in children, but this must be balanced by the relief that they give to sufferers. For a very bad flare-up a short course of strong steroid creams for a period of a week or so will have no long-lasting effect, provided it isn't repeated too often. Once the condition has come under control, reduction to a much weaker steroid is very safe and will help to prevent recurrences.
• The final important factor in eczema is infection. A bacterium called staphylococcus lives on the skin and when itching begins it can be scratched into the deeper layers. This sets up infection which can spread rapidly over the skin in a person with eczema. Antibiotic ointments and sometimes antibiotics by mouth are needed if there has been a bad flare-up.
• Very occasionally, when the whole skin is red, hot, constantly itching and the person is deeply distressed, a course of steroids for a week by mouth and sometimes even a short stay in hospital with soothing bandages applied frequently may be required. Though laborious, covering hot, itchy limbs in wet wrappings may help severe eczema tremendously.

Type of Eczema

There are several types of eczema, and the most common one is atopic eczema, which seems to run in families. This usually starts in childhood and may be associated with asthma and other allergies.

Atopic eczema

Atopic eczema may be constantly present and can be extremely severe. It can have a devastating physical and emotional effect on the whole family, because of the constant need for treatment. Brothers and sisters who do not have eczema may become jealous, as the affected child seems to have more attention. The affected child feels 'different', may think that she looks diseased and that others are constantly staring at her skin. Her sleep pattern is also badly affected, as unless appropriate medicine is given the itching can keep her awake. Unfortunately, a quick and permanent cure is not available. However, atopic eczema generally improves with age.

Some people have patches of eczema that irritate but are less life-affecting. Often, eczema can be treated successfully and the condition cured when the triggers are avoided.

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