Relief For Eczema Patients

[Owen Reid]

Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of
the skin. Approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of the world
population is affected by this chronic, relapsing, and very itchy rash
at some point during childhood. Atopic eczema is believed to have a
hereditary component, and often runs in families whose members also
have hay fever and asthma. Itchy rash is particularly noticeable on
face and scalp, neck, inside of elbows, behind knees, and buttocks. A
patch of eczema that has been scratchedXerotic eczema is dry skin that
becomes so serious it turns into eczema. It worsens in dry winter
weather, and limbs and trunk are most often affected. Dermatitis
herpetiformis causes intensely itchy and typically symmetrical rash on
arms, thighs, knees, and back. Eczemas originating from ingestion of
medications, foods, and chemicals, have not yet been clearly
systematized. Neurodermatitis is an itchy area of thickened, pigmented
eczema patch that results from habitual rubbing and scratching. Scaly
pimples and red patches sometimes appear in various adjacent places.
Eczema can occur on just about any part of the body; however, in
infants, eczema typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms,
legs, scalp, and neck. In children and adults, eczema typically occurs
on the face, neck, and the insides of the elbows, knees, and ankles.
In some people, eczema may "bubble up" and ooze. In others, the
condition may appear more scaly, dry, and red. Chronic scratching
causes the skin to take on a leathery texture because the skin
thickens (lichenification). Atopic eczema affects approximately 15-20%
of young children in the UK. Atopic eczema clears up in approximately
70% of children by the time they reach their teens and in many it
largely clears up by 4-5 years of age. If it persists into adult life,
it usually affects the body creases, the face and hands. Medicine used
to treat eczema is usually a steroid medicine that you rub on your
skin. Use a moisturizer on your skin every day. Moisturizers help keep
your skin soft and flexible. They prevent skin cracks. A plain
moisturizer is best.
Topical corticosteroids, also called cortisone or steroid creams or
ointments, are commonly used to treat eczema. Avoid moisturizers with
fragrances (perfume) and a lot of extra ingredients. A good, cheap
moisturizer is plain petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline). Use
moisturizers that are more greasy than creamy, because creams usually
have more preservatives in them. Eczema can flare up when you are
under stress. Stress reduction techniques can help. Avoid scratching
or rubbing the itchy area. Try not to scratch the irritated area on
your skin even if it itches. Scratching can break the skin. Bacteria
can enter these breaks and cause infection. Moisturizing your skin
will help prevent itchiness. Avoid giving your child frequent hot
baths, which tend to dry the skin. Use warm water with mild soaps or
nonsoap cleansers when bathing your child. Avoid using scented soaps.
Apply moisturizing ointments (such as petroleum jelly), lotions, or
creams to your child's skin regularly and always within a few minutes
of bathing, after a very light towel dry.
Relief For Eczema Tips
1. Non-conventional medical approaches include traditional herbal
medicine and others.
2. Avoid using washcloths, sponges, or loofahs.
3. Use soap only on areas where it is necessary.
4. Light therapy using ultraviolet light can help control eczema.
5. Anti-itch drugs, often antihistamine, may reduce the itch during a
flare up of eczema.
6. Corticosteroids are generally considered safe to use in the short-
to medium-term for controlling eczema
7. Light therapy using ultraviolet light can help control eczema.
8. Non-conventional medical approaches include traditional herbal
medicine and others.