What to know about eczema?

10, May 2022 | DermaCare

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough.

Many people also use the word eczema when referring to a condition called atopic dermatitis, a collection of conditions that involve the immune system, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and hay fever.

Certain foods, such as nuts and dairy, as well as environmental triggers such as smoke, pollen, soaps, and fragrances can trigger symptoms of eczema.

While some people will outgrow the condition, others will have it throughout their lives.

Most people with the condition develop it before the age of 5, with around 60% of children no longer having symptoms by adolescence.

Types of Eczema

There are several types of eczema.

Besides atopic dermatitis, other types include:

  • Allergic contact dermatitis: This is where contact with a substance or allergen that the immune system recognizes as foreign causes a skin reaction.
  • Dyshidrotic eczema: Irritation and often blistering of the skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
  • Neurodermatitis: Starting as a result of a localised itch, such as from a bug bite, leading to scaly patches of skin on the head, forearms, wrists, and lower legs.
  • Discoid eczema: This type shows as circular patches of irritated skin that can be crusted, scaly, and itchy.
  • Stasis dermatitis: This refers to skin irritation of the lower leg. It is usually related to circulatory problems.

Causes of Eczema

Many health professionals believe that it develops from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Children are more likely to develop eczema if a parent has it or another atopic condition. If both parents have an atopic condition, the risk is even higher.

Some environmental factors may also bring out the symptoms of eczema. These include:

  • Irritants: These include soaps, detergents, shampoos, disinfectants, juices from fresh fruits, meats, and vegetables.
  • Allergens: Dust mites, pets, pollens, and mold can all lead to eczema. This is known as allergic eczema.
  • Microbes: These include bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, and certain fungi.
  • Hot and cold temperatures: Very hot and very cold weather, high and low humidity, and perspiration from exercise can bring out eczema.
  • Foods: Dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds, soy products, and wheat can cause eczema flares.
  • Stress: This is not a direct cause of eczema, but it can make the symptoms worse.
  • Hormones: Females may experience increased eczema symptoms when their hormone levels are changing, such as during pregnancy and at certain points in the menstrual cycle.

Eczema Symptoms

Eczema symptoms can vary with people often experiencing periods when their symptoms worsen, followed by times when their symptoms will improve or clear up. In most cases eczema symptoms are mild including:

  • dry, scaly skin
  • skin flushing
  • itching
  • open, crusted, or weeping sores
  • rubbing and scratching can also lead to skin infections.

Scratching and rubbing can further irritate the skin, increase inflammation, and make the itching worse.

Infant eczema symptoms

  • rashes on the scalp and cheeks
  • rashes that bubble up before leaking fluid
  • rashes that can cause extreme itchiness,

This discomfort may cause considerable upset and can also interfere with the child’s sleep

Childhood eczema symptoms

  • rashes in the creases of elbows or knees, the neck, wrists, ankles, and the crease between the buttocks and legs
  • bumpy rashes and skin thickening, which can then develop into a permanent itch
  • rashes that can change the skin colour – becoming lighter or darker

Symptoms in adults

  • rashes that cover much of the body, but more commonly appear in the creases of the elbows or knees, or the nape of the neck
  • very dry skin on the affected areas
  • rashes that are permanently itchy
  • skin infections

Eczema Treatments

There is currently no cure for eczema, but there is a lot you can do to manage and control the condition. But whatever the treatment option, it is important to remember that most often eczema is a symptom of an underlying issue, not the problem itself.

In treating eczema it’s important to try and isolate the triggers and support the underlying immune condition driving the skin condition.

Medications

There are several medications doctors can prescribe to treat eczema, including:

  • Topical corticosteroid creams and ointments: These anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve the main symptoms of eczema, such as inflammation and itchiness.  However, over time they thin the skin making the skin more prone to eczema breakouts. Also long term use can have serous side effects, so corticosteroids are not fit for anything more than short term use.
  • Oral medications: If topical treatments are not effective, the next step may be to prescribe oral medications like systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. A doctor may also prescribe antibiotics for skin infections, or antihistamines to help reduce itching and inflammation.
  • Moisturizers: To help reduce moisture loss and help repair the skin.

Primal Herbaria DermaCare is a great natural alternative to often harmful medications in helping you manage eczema.  A natural, plant-based topical remedy for Eczema and Dermatitis, it supports your skins natural healing, helping to:

  • Moisturize and helps reduce scaling, and dryness
  • Helps reduce itching and irritation
  • Helps reduce the inflammation and redness
  • Helps rebuild your skins natural elasticity and strength

All while reducing the need for harmful corticosteroid or immune suppressant medications

Eczema Home care

There are several things that people with eczema can do to support skin health and alleviate symptoms, such as:

  • learn about and avoid your individual eczema triggers
  • keeping fingernails short to prevent scratching from breaking the skin
  • taking lukewarm rather than hot baths as hot baths can irritate the skin
  • avoid soaps and chemical cleansers
  • air drying or gently patting the skin dry with a towel, rather than rubbing the skin dry after bathing or taking a shower
  • moisturizing every day
  • wear cotton and soft breathable fabrics, and avoid scratchy fabrics and tight-fitting clothing
  • using a humidifier to keep up moisture levels in the air

Summary

Eczema is a common inflammatory skin condition, that can be common in children, but most will grow out of it by the time they reach adolescence. Although there is currently no cure, people can treat and prevent eczema flares using home remedies, moisturizers, medications, and lifestyle changes.