Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes redness, itching, and bumps. It’s quite common, especially in babies and children, and it often clears up when they grow older. However, some people can experience eczema for life.
Whether you’re looking for a cure, or simply want to understand the causes behind eczema so that you can better treat it, this article will get you on the right path.
Table of Contents
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition that causes dryness, inflammation, itching, redness, and scaling. It can affect any area of the body, but the most common areas are the face, scalp, hands, feet, and knees. There are many different types of eczema, including atopic dermatitis (also known as atopic eczema), contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, and nummular dermatitis.
What are the types of Eczema?
There are different types of eczema, each with its own symptoms and causes. Some people have only one type of eczema, while others may have several.
The most common form of eczema is known as Atopic Dermatitis (AD). This is the most severe form of eczema and is characterized by redness, itching, dry skin, and oozing blisters. AD is caused by a combination of genetic factors and environmental triggers.
Other forms of eczema include:
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a common skin disorder that can be caused by both irritant and allergic contact. It is characterized by erythema, edema, papules or vesicles, which may become pustular or crusting in severe cases. The most common allergens include metals such as nickel, chromium, cobalt, and aluminum; however, the exact cause of contact dermatitis remains unknown for many patients.
The diagnosis of contact dermatitis is based on history taking and physical examination. In addition to clinical findings, patch testing with standard series of allergens is recommended for confirmation of the diagnosis. However, there are no standardized guidelines regarding the choice
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic Dermatitis (SD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that occurs in the sebaceous glands of the scalp, face and body. It can be characterized by erythema, scaling, pruritus, follicular plugging, and thickened hair shafts. The term “seborrhea” refers to excessive secretion from the sebaceous glands. Seborrheic dermatitis is most common among people with oily or greasy scalps, but it can occur at any age.
The cause of seborrheic dermatitits is unknown. It may be triggered by an allergic reaction to certain foods, medications, or cosmetics. In some cases, it may be associated with hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disorder that results in raised red, flaky plaques covered with silvery scales. Psoriasis can occur anywhere on the body, but often develops on the elbows, knees, lower back, buttocks, scalp, neck, and genitals
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease that affects the skin and joints. It has been estimated to affect 2% of the population in Europe and North America. Although psoriasis can be managed with topical therapy alone or in combination with phototherapy or systemic therapies, it often requires long-term treatment. In addition, patients may experience adverse effects from these treatments.
Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Lichen Simplex Chronis (LSC) is a chronic, non-contagious, idiopathic, inflammatory skin condition that appears on the palms of the hand. LSC is characterized by small, flat, scaly patches that usually appear on the palmar surface of the hand. They tend to become thicker and darker with time.
It has been reported that LSC can be associated with other diseases such as lichen planopilaris (LPP), lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSEC), psoriasis vulgaris and seborrheic keratoses .
The pathogenesis of LSC remains unclear but it is thought to involve an imbalance between epidermal proliferation and differentiation. The most commonly used treatment for LSC is topical corticosteroids; however, there are no randomized controlled trials supporting their efficacy. In addition, long-term use of these agents may result in side effects including atrophy and telangiectasia.
Nummular Eczema
Nummular eczema is a form of chronic, itchy skin disease that affects the palms and soles. It is also known as palmar or plantar eczema. Nummular eczema can be caused by any number of factors including genetics, environmental triggers, and allergies. The condition often begins in childhood but may begin at any age. Symptoms include dryness, redness, itching, blisters, and peeling on the hands and feet. There are many different types of nummular eczema, each with its own set of symptoms. Treatment options for nummular eczma vary depending on what type you have.
What causes eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition that causes redness, itching, scaling, dryness, and inflammation. There are many different types of eczema, including atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, and nummular eczema.
The cause of eczema can vary from person to person, but some common factors include genetics, diet, stress, allergies, and environmental triggers. Some people have a predisposition to develop eczema due to their genetic makeup. Other people may experience eczema after exposure to certain allergens or irritants.
There are several ways to treat eczema. First, it is important to identify what type of eczema you have. Once you know what kind of eczema you suffer from, you can then find out how to best treat your symptoms.
What are the symptoms of Eczema?
1. Dry Skin
Dry skin can be caused by many factors including environmental conditions, genetics, diet, stress, and even emotional issues. If your child has dry skin, they may have eczema. This condition causes dry patches on their body that itch and burn.
2. Cracked Skin
Cracked skin can be caused by any number of things including allergies, infections, and poor nutrition. When this happens, your child’s skin becomes cracked and painful.
3. Blisters
Blisters are small fluid-filled sacs that form under the skin. They usually occur on the hands, feet, face, arms, legs, and scalp.
4. Itching
If your child experiences severe itching, they may have eczeem. Itching occurs when the nerves send signals to the brain telling them to stop scratching.
5. Red Skin
Red skin is another symptom of eczema. Your child will probably notice this if they have eczema because their skin turns red and scaly.
6. Scaling
Scaling refers to the buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of your child’s skin. This is one of the first signs of eczema.
7. Swelling
Swelling is another sign of eczema. It occurs when blood vessels become enlarged and leak fluids into the surrounding tissue.
Ways to prevent Eczema
1. Avoiding allergens
Eczema can be caused by many things including food allergies, environmental factors, stress, and even emotional triggers. When it comes to eczema, it’s best to avoid what causes your symptoms. If you have any questions about whether something is safe for you, always ask your doctor before trying anything new.
2. Using natural remedies
There are several ways that you can use to help treat eczema naturally. First, try using aloe vera gel. Aloe vera contains soothing properties that can help reduce inflammation and itchiness. You can apply this directly to the affected area or put some into a bath. Another option is to make a mixture of baking soda and water. Mix equal parts of each and then add enough water to create a paste-like consistency. Apply this to the skin and leave on for 15 minutes. Then wash off with warm water.
3. Eating right
Eczema can often be triggered by diet. Make sure that you eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. These foods contain antioxidants that can help fight free radicals, which may cause damage to the skin. Also, limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol can dry out the skin and worsen eczema.
Risk Factors associated with Eczema
1. Genetics
There are many genes that can cause eczema. These include those that affect skin barrier function, immune system function, and inflammation. Some of these genes may be inherited from parents, while others may occur randomly.
2. Diet
Eczema is often triggered by food allergies, especially dairy products. Other foods that have been known to trigger eczema include eggs, nuts, wheat, corn, soy, citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, chocolate, and caffeine.
3. Medications
Some medications can worsen eczema symptoms. Examples include corticosteroids (such as prednisone), antihistamines, antibiotics, and antifungals.
What are the complications from untreated Eczema?
1. Skin Infection
Eczema can easily become infected if not treated properly. This can lead to rashes that may take weeks to heal. If left untreated, eczema can cause permanent scarring and damage to your skin.
2. Irritation
The itching associated with eczema can be unbearable. In addition, scratching at the rash can actually make it worse. You should never pick at the rash, but instead use a moisturizing lotion to help calm the itch.
3. Scarring
Scars form when skin cells die off due to constant irritation. Scratching at the rash can actually cause scars to form.
In conclusion, eczema is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While it doesn’t cause serious damage to your body, it can certainly affect your quality of life. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural remedies that can help ease the symptoms and reduce the frequency of flare-ups.
The key is finding the right combination of ingredients that works for you. For example, if you suffer from dry, flaky skin, you might want to look for a moisturizer that contains aloe vera. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, you might want a product that includes cucumber extract. Whatever type of eczema you have, there’s bound to be a remedy out there that can help.