Eczema Treatment and Causes - Information about Eczema

[Marc David]

Can you not help yourself but scratch your itchy skin until it turns
red and sore? Have you already applied a lot of lotion or ointment but
the itch still persists? You maybe suffering from a skin disease or
generally termed as eczema.
Eczema is the inflammation of the outer layer of the skin and is a
general term used to describe various skin ailments. Eczema looks
differently from one person to another. However, it is usually
characterized dry, red, itchy patches or rashes in the skin.
Eczema could be developed in almost any part of the body though it is
typically occurs in the forehead, hands, legs, scalp, neck, elbows,
knees and ankles.
Atopic Dermatitis
Most common among the kinds of eczema is the atopic dermatitis or
atopic eczema. It is commonly developed during childhood. Though it
seemed to have no cure, this kind disappears over time or the child
grows older. This condition is believed to be a reaction of the immune
system to external factors.
Is Eczema Contagious?
Eczema is currently incurable; however, it is not contagious. The
inflammation of the skin is typically a reaction of the skin to
irritating substances that causes the person suffering from it to
scratch it. It is the avoidance of the triggers that can prevent the
eczema to become itchy.
These triggers are sometimes allergic substances like dust, dust
mites, pollens, molds, animal saliva and other coarse surfaces that
come into contact with the infected skin. Certain detergents, soaps,
disinfectants can also aggravate the condition of the skin. Sudden
change of temperature and stress can also affect the disease.
Treatment for Eczema
Since eczema is incurable, there are various treatments that could be
done to avoid the occurrence of itch and rashes. Since the skin is dry
and itchy, it is advisable to keep the skin moisture by applying
lotion or ointment prescribed by doctors. These lotions of ointments
may contain substances that could cause allergic reactions to the
skin.
Other patients are advised to take oral medications to prevent the
inflammation or kill the bacteria that cause the infection.
Psychological Effects and Stigma of Eczema
Eczema is not only a skin disease. More than that it affects the
physical appearance of a person; most patients have developed
psychological illness as well. The eczema they are suffering causes
them to loss their self-esteem and confidence in presenting themselves
in public. Moreover, they also developed self pity especially that
there is no cure, only treatment, to their sickness.
Patients with eczema tend to just stay home, as they could be required
to, to avoid the triggers the environment could give them. The outside
environment becomes a threat to their health. In children, their
scratches could be suspected for domestic abuse or violence that could
cause their peers to reject them.
With the misconception that eczema is contagious, many people avoid
suffers. They often find themselves discriminated in the workplace or
in school. These people could be banded to have an unclean lifestyle
that made them acquire such skin disease.
Medical and Social Problem
Eczema has not only become a medical problem but a societal problem as
well. As long as science can not find cure to this skin disease, the
stigma, discrimination and self psychological effects of which could
also not be cured.