By: http://www.OWorking.com
"I had Eczema..."
In the beginning, it cropped up in common places like my elbows and wrists. I could hide behind long sleeves in the winter - but it wasn't long before summer rolled around and shorts, t-shirts and sandals.
And that's when you'd hear the whispers. The gossip. The questionable looks from teachers and other parents who wondered if you were getting abused at home for all the red, irritable patches on your skin that looked like someone punched you straight in the face
Names like "Leper", "Creep" and "Scaly" still ring in the back of my mind like it was yesterday. That's why, when I started noticing Samuel scratching his back against a door frame, I lifted up his shirt and noticed all the sure-fire signs of eczema:
Blotchy red skin
Scaly patches with oozing
Incredible itching that keeps coming back
Skin that would heal and then break out again
"Eczema Free Forever" is currently one of best effective Eczema treatments, which can easily get from here.
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is not one specific skin condition but a group of skin conditions that cause inflammation of the skin. Eczema is not caused by an infection. The condition may be temporary or chronic, mild or, in rare instances, very serious.
Serious cases usually occur when:
it is severe enough to cause complications, such as skin infections
an affected person also contracts the herpes simplex virus
an affected person has a violent allergic reaction caused by contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is the most common type of skin inflammation. It's a temporary reaction to an irritant or an allergen (a substance that can cause an allergic reaction). An example is poison ivy.
Atopic dermatitis is the prevalent form of chronic eczema. It is a genetically inherited condition that tends to run in families who also suffer from hay fever and asthma. Atopic dermatitis will affect about 10% to 20% of people at some point in their lives.
Seborrheic dermatitis is eczema of the scalp. It may also affect the face or chest. In adults, mild seborrhea is known as dandruff. In babies, it tends to look more severe and is called cradle cap.
Dyshidrotic dermatitis occurs on the palms of the hands, sides of the fingers, and the soles of the feet, and it is associated with itching and blisters.
Nummular dermatitis normally affects older adults. Although its cause is unknown, it often starts after trauma to the skin (e.g., burn, cut, or scrape). Round patches of scaly, inflamed skin may appear anywhere on the body. Winter is the peak period for this condition. It tends to strike dry skin.
Stasis dermatitis (or gravitational eczema) affects the lower legs of older adults. It is basically a poor circulation problem, usually due to blood not being able to get out of the legs well. It is caused by varicose veins.
Neurodermatitis (or Lichen simplex chronicus) is a non-allergic itch, which often appears in times of stress. The condition is prolonged and sometimes spreads if you scratch.
Causes of Eczema
Genetic inheritance plays a major role in most forms of eczema.
Atopic dermatitis is an inherited oversensitivity of the immune system. Genes play a role in allergies, too, though it usually takes prolonged exposure to a given allergen before it becomes a nuisance.
Of course, there are some chemicals that will irritate any skin. Harsh irritants can give anyone a temporary bout of contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis may be caused by irritants or allergens.
The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is not known, but it appears to be linked to the yeast called Pityrosporum ovale, which inhabits most human scalps. Genetics, emotional stress, and climate play a role in the severity of the condition. Some medical conditions such as HIV and Parkinson's disease may also play a role.
Stasis dermatitis is caused by poor circulation in the lower extremities. Fluid builds up in the capillaries due to raised blood pressure. This causes inflammation of the skin.
Neurodermatitis may be caused by certain triggers, such as insect bites or emotional stress. It occurs when the nerve endings in the skin become irritated. There are also general risk factors than will aggravate any kind of eczema. These include harsh soap, rubber gloves, wool, very hot water, and emotional stress.
Symptoms and Complications of Eczema
Atopic dermatitis appears as red, itchy, dry skin. It tends to first appear in childhood, and may disappear completely before adulthood. It most often affects the area behind the knees and around the elbows, as well as the face. In infants, it often appears on the chest, face, scalp, and neck. Atopic people who contract the herpes simplex virus can be struck by eczema herpeticum, a serious secondary infection of the inflamed skin that causes a worsened rash and fever.
Contact dermatitis often causes a dry and intensely itchy, red rash. Depending on the trigger to the reaction, the rash may actually be painful, forming blisters that cause discharge before then crusting over. Still other reactions caused by irritants cause swelling at the affected area. The area involved may be a clue to the responsible allergen or irritant. The worst forms of allergic contact dermatitis, such as severe latex reactions, can be associated with the potentially fatal allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which is a body-wide response to the allergen.
Seborrheic dermatitis in adults is dandruff. In babies, it can form a thick yellow flaky rash on the scalp. In severe cases, bacteria can build up in fatty deposits, producing an unpleasant odour.
Dyshidrotic dermatitis can cause blisters on the palms of the hands, sides of the fingers, and soles of the feet. The skin will feel itchy or you may feel a burning sensation, and it can crack or peel.
Nummular eczema appears as itchy, red, coin-shaped areas with discharge on the limbs and torso.
Stasis dermatitis appears as inflamed, scaly skin around the lower legs and ankles. Over time, it may turn dark brown.
Neurodermatitis is intensely itchy and tends to promote an itch-scratch-itch cycle that causes red, rough plaques. It usually affects the ankles, lower legs, back, and sides of the neck. Neurodermatitis tends to be most itchy when you are at rest or relaxing.
Diagnosing Eczema
To make a diagnosis of eczema, your doctor will examine your skin, and ask you questions about your symptoms. If you get inflamed skin, it's important to tell your doctor about any allergies you have and any unfamiliar substances you have recently come in contact with.
Looking at the skin itself will often allow a physician to distinguish particular types of eczema. In people over the age of 6, when the doctor suspects the condition is due to an allergen, your doctor may recommend that you undergo a series of allergy skin tests. The physician, usually an allergist, scratches the skin with a variety of common allergens to determine which ones you're allergic to.
Treating and Preventing Eczema
Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan for your eczema that will take into consideration the type of eczema you have, the severity of the eczema, as well as other factors. For most people, a combination of therapies is needed to manage eczema.
The first step in managing contact dermatitis is to remove the irritant responsible for the dermatitis. Treatment options for most types of eczema can include moisturizers and topical corticosteroids (e.g., betamethasone*, desonide, hydrocortisone, prednicarbate). Topical calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) may also be used to treat atopic dermatitis.
For some people with more severe eczema, oral corticosteroids may be needed to control symptoms. For older adults, ultraviolet (UV) radiation is sometimes used, but the skin cancer risk makes this unsuitable for younger people. Antihistamines that cause drowsiness may be recommended for some types of eczema to help with itching and sleep. When skin infections occur, topical or oral antibiotics may be prescribed.
Seborrheic dermatitis can usually be managed with non-medicated shampoos by washing the hair frequently. If this is not effective, over-the-counter dandruff shampoos may help. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a topical corticosteroid. Baby shampoo can be used daily for infants and children to reduce the likelihood of bacteria developing in the fatty deposits. For cradle cap, mineral oil applied to the dry areas can soften the scales, making them release more easily.
Stasis dermatitis can be helped by keeping in good physical shape so that blood flows freely through the legs. Support stockings can also assist in pumping the blood up out of the leg. And elevating your leg also increases circulation.
Susceptibility to most forms of eczema is genetic and unavoidable. Knowing what allergens and irritants to avoid can help you get through life without being inconvenienced by eczema.
Other tips to help you deal with eczema include:
Bathe in cool or tepid water with gentle soap. Minimize the use of soap when possible.
Use moisturizers immediately after you bathe to keep the moisture locked in. Avoid moisturizers with perfumes, as they may worsen the condition.
Avoid scratching affected areas. Some people wear cotton gloves at night to prevent scratching in their sleep.
Keep your fingernails short.
Don't let sweat stay on your skin.
Avoid clothes that don't let the skin breathe.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Reference: http://www.eczemafreeforever.com
"I had Eczema..."
In the beginning, it cropped up in common places like my elbows and wrists. I could hide behind long sleeves in the winter - but it wasn't long before summer rolled around and shorts, t-shirts and sandals.
And that's when you'd hear the whispers. The gossip. The questionable looks from teachers and other parents who wondered if you were getting abused at home for all the red, irritable patches on your skin that looked like someone punched you straight in the face
Names like "Leper", "Creep" and "Scaly" still ring in the back of my mind like it was yesterday. That's why, when I started noticing Samuel scratching his back against a door frame, I lifted up his shirt and noticed all the sure-fire signs of eczema:
Blotchy red skin
Scaly patches with oozing
Incredible itching that keeps coming back
Skin that would heal and then break out again
"Eczema Free Forever" is currently one of best effective Eczema treatments, which can easily get from here.
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is not one specific skin condition but a group of skin conditions that cause inflammation of the skin. Eczema is not caused by an infection. The condition may be temporary or chronic, mild or, in rare instances, very serious.
Serious cases usually occur when:
it is severe enough to cause complications, such as skin infections
an affected person also contracts the herpes simplex virus
an affected person has a violent allergic reaction caused by contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is the most common type of skin inflammation. It's a temporary reaction to an irritant or an allergen (a substance that can cause an allergic reaction). An example is poison ivy.
Atopic dermatitis is the prevalent form of chronic eczema. It is a genetically inherited condition that tends to run in families who also suffer from hay fever and asthma. Atopic dermatitis will affect about 10% to 20% of people at some point in their lives.
Seborrheic dermatitis is eczema of the scalp. It may also affect the face or chest. In adults, mild seborrhea is known as dandruff. In babies, it tends to look more severe and is called cradle cap.
Dyshidrotic dermatitis occurs on the palms of the hands, sides of the fingers, and the soles of the feet, and it is associated with itching and blisters.
Nummular dermatitis normally affects older adults. Although its cause is unknown, it often starts after trauma to the skin (e.g., burn, cut, or scrape). Round patches of scaly, inflamed skin may appear anywhere on the body. Winter is the peak period for this condition. It tends to strike dry skin.
Stasis dermatitis (or gravitational eczema) affects the lower legs of older adults. It is basically a poor circulation problem, usually due to blood not being able to get out of the legs well. It is caused by varicose veins.
Neurodermatitis (or Lichen simplex chronicus) is a non-allergic itch, which often appears in times of stress. The condition is prolonged and sometimes spreads if you scratch.
Causes of Eczema
Genetic inheritance plays a major role in most forms of eczema.
Atopic dermatitis is an inherited oversensitivity of the immune system. Genes play a role in allergies, too, though it usually takes prolonged exposure to a given allergen before it becomes a nuisance.
Of course, there are some chemicals that will irritate any skin. Harsh irritants can give anyone a temporary bout of contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis may be caused by irritants or allergens.
The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is not known, but it appears to be linked to the yeast called Pityrosporum ovale, which inhabits most human scalps. Genetics, emotional stress, and climate play a role in the severity of the condition. Some medical conditions such as HIV and Parkinson's disease may also play a role.
Stasis dermatitis is caused by poor circulation in the lower extremities. Fluid builds up in the capillaries due to raised blood pressure. This causes inflammation of the skin.
Neurodermatitis may be caused by certain triggers, such as insect bites or emotional stress. It occurs when the nerve endings in the skin become irritated. There are also general risk factors than will aggravate any kind of eczema. These include harsh soap, rubber gloves, wool, very hot water, and emotional stress.
Symptoms and Complications of Eczema
Atopic dermatitis appears as red, itchy, dry skin. It tends to first appear in childhood, and may disappear completely before adulthood. It most often affects the area behind the knees and around the elbows, as well as the face. In infants, it often appears on the chest, face, scalp, and neck. Atopic people who contract the herpes simplex virus can be struck by eczema herpeticum, a serious secondary infection of the inflamed skin that causes a worsened rash and fever.
Contact dermatitis often causes a dry and intensely itchy, red rash. Depending on the trigger to the reaction, the rash may actually be painful, forming blisters that cause discharge before then crusting over. Still other reactions caused by irritants cause swelling at the affected area. The area involved may be a clue to the responsible allergen or irritant. The worst forms of allergic contact dermatitis, such as severe latex reactions, can be associated with the potentially fatal allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which is a body-wide response to the allergen.
Seborrheic dermatitis in adults is dandruff. In babies, it can form a thick yellow flaky rash on the scalp. In severe cases, bacteria can build up in fatty deposits, producing an unpleasant odour.
Dyshidrotic dermatitis can cause blisters on the palms of the hands, sides of the fingers, and soles of the feet. The skin will feel itchy or you may feel a burning sensation, and it can crack or peel.
Nummular eczema appears as itchy, red, coin-shaped areas with discharge on the limbs and torso.
Stasis dermatitis appears as inflamed, scaly skin around the lower legs and ankles. Over time, it may turn dark brown.
Neurodermatitis is intensely itchy and tends to promote an itch-scratch-itch cycle that causes red, rough plaques. It usually affects the ankles, lower legs, back, and sides of the neck. Neurodermatitis tends to be most itchy when you are at rest or relaxing.
Diagnosing Eczema
To make a diagnosis of eczema, your doctor will examine your skin, and ask you questions about your symptoms. If you get inflamed skin, it's important to tell your doctor about any allergies you have and any unfamiliar substances you have recently come in contact with.
Looking at the skin itself will often allow a physician to distinguish particular types of eczema. In people over the age of 6, when the doctor suspects the condition is due to an allergen, your doctor may recommend that you undergo a series of allergy skin tests. The physician, usually an allergist, scratches the skin with a variety of common allergens to determine which ones you're allergic to.
Treating and Preventing Eczema
Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan for your eczema that will take into consideration the type of eczema you have, the severity of the eczema, as well as other factors. For most people, a combination of therapies is needed to manage eczema.
The first step in managing contact dermatitis is to remove the irritant responsible for the dermatitis. Treatment options for most types of eczema can include moisturizers and topical corticosteroids (e.g., betamethasone*, desonide, hydrocortisone, prednicarbate). Topical calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus, pimecrolimus) may also be used to treat atopic dermatitis.
For some people with more severe eczema, oral corticosteroids may be needed to control symptoms. For older adults, ultraviolet (UV) radiation is sometimes used, but the skin cancer risk makes this unsuitable for younger people. Antihistamines that cause drowsiness may be recommended for some types of eczema to help with itching and sleep. When skin infections occur, topical or oral antibiotics may be prescribed.
Seborrheic dermatitis can usually be managed with non-medicated shampoos by washing the hair frequently. If this is not effective, over-the-counter dandruff shampoos may help. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a topical corticosteroid. Baby shampoo can be used daily for infants and children to reduce the likelihood of bacteria developing in the fatty deposits. For cradle cap, mineral oil applied to the dry areas can soften the scales, making them release more easily.
Stasis dermatitis can be helped by keeping in good physical shape so that blood flows freely through the legs. Support stockings can also assist in pumping the blood up out of the leg. And elevating your leg also increases circulation.
Susceptibility to most forms of eczema is genetic and unavoidable. Knowing what allergens and irritants to avoid can help you get through life without being inconvenienced by eczema.
Other tips to help you deal with eczema include:
Bathe in cool or tepid water with gentle soap. Minimize the use of soap when possible.
Use moisturizers immediately after you bathe to keep the moisture locked in. Avoid moisturizers with perfumes, as they may worsen the condition.
Avoid scratching affected areas. Some people wear cotton gloves at night to prevent scratching in their sleep.
Keep your fingernails short.
Don't let sweat stay on your skin.
Avoid clothes that don't let the skin breathe.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Reference: http://www.eczemafreeforever.com
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