Eczema is a condition that lasts a lifetime and the only way to really get relief is to try and prevent it from starting. It is a condition of the skin that causes itching first then progresses to patches of dry flaking skin that tends to get thicker than regular skin. It usually appears on the face, arms, legs or neck and tends to gather in creases of the skin. Many times if the sufferer itches the area it can make an inflammation start with sores and crusty scales.
Although people that are afflicted with eczema always have the condition it might not make itself known all the time. There may be periods of time where there are no scaly dry patches as all. There are certain things that may trigger a flair up. Usually the area starts to itch then the skin in the area gets dry and flaking, then red and inflamed. It often feels so itchy that you may feel your skin is on fire.
Anyone can get eczema, especially if they have allergies, but most of the time it appears during the first years of life. First time sufferers usually appear before the age of five years old. This is a hereditary condition so the likelihood of passing it on from generation to generation is very high.
It is a fact that people that have allergies often also have this kind of dermatitis. It is like a having a reaction to something you are allergic to. Those that cannot touch the sap of a pine tree may come down with an episode if they decorate a real Christmas tree. Things you touch that cause a reaction are called external triggers.
There are several different types of triggers that cause eczema to start. They include soaps and detergents, jewelry that touches the skin, humid or dry weather conditions, fibers that are in clothing, sweating, bacteria, and stress. All of these are external triggers that can make the skin start to itch then burn uncontrollably. Note that some can be eliminated from the environment of the person but it is hard to control weather and stress.
If the patches are scratched they could become infected and cause an even bigger problem that requires taking antibiotics. When the condition is scratched it can become crusty and ooze or make the skin get thick underneath. When infected, the area will have blisters that may be yellow or brown. Even if there are no blisters the thickened skin can crack and bleed. It tends to keep the sufferer awake during the night and they may have to wear mittens to bed to keep them from scratching in their sleep.
Many times using a different soap in the laundry will stop the episodes. Bathing in hot water can bring on the condition because hot water dries out the skin. Only hypoallergenic soap should be used on the body. Never use a lotion that has a strong scent as that can bring on an episode. Avoid wearing clothes that have scratchy textures or that are made of wool which will irritate the skin.
Hydrocortisone cream will help somewhat and should be applied as often as the directions say is possible without ever skipping a treatment until the rash goes away. Benadryl sometimes helps but it also makes you drowsy. Avoiding stress will calm an episode. It takes a long time for a flair up to calm down so if you have one it will take a week to 2 weeks to get it to go away and sometimes even longer. There are prescription steroid creams and antihistamines that the doctor can give you. Severe cases are sometimes treated with coal tar or ultra violet light treatments.
The best idea is to prevent the condition from ever starting. When you sweat make sure to wipe it from the skin quickly. Towel the body off well after bathing and do not let anything come in contact with it that might cause a reaction. In most cases food allergies are rarely a trigger except in children who have milk, nut, egg and wheat allergies. Polyester and nylon clothing may cause a problem. Avoid rubber or latex in the form of gloves, clothing, or even bandages. When washing clothing and bedding do a double rinse to make sure all of the laundry soap has been taken out. Avoid bubble bath and any creams or lotions that have a fragrance. Prevent the problem before it starts.
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categories: eczema,dry skin,dermatitis,skin,medicine,family
