Eczema

The Greek words “ek” and “zeo”, which means “out” and “boil” respectively, are used to define the skin disorder known as eczema. Boils seem to appear on the skin of patients suffering from this condition due to the visibility of the vesicles. Further, such symptoms as burning, itching, and pain which come with the disease can make the patient feel like his skin is boiling as well. Eczema, and another skin disease called dermatitis, are typically used to describe the same skin disorder.

The real cause of eczema may be hard to point out as the condition has various types, each with different causes. The two major types are atopic eczema and contact eczema. The known cause of atopic eczema has something to do with genetics. A person suffering from this type is prone to have allergies. It should be understood that allergies do not bring about eczema, but allergies to chemicals or certain elements which come in direct contact with the person’s skin can trigger the onset of the disease. Moreover, these allergies can worsen atopic eczema.

Contact eczema, less common than atopic, generally affects adults. It is brought about through the direct contact of an allergen or irritant, which causes irritation on the skin.

Infant eczema or baby eczema occurs in newborn babies. Reddish, dry skin can develop in certain areas, indicating the onset of eczema. The condition can worsen when these areas are scratched or rubbed. However, babies typically outgrow this skin disease. This condition is known to affect babies with either or both of their parents having hay fever, asthma, or eczema. Thus, genetics is pointed out to be the cause of this type of eczema.

The different types of eczema are diagnosed by a pediatrician, dermatologist, immunologist, or an allergist. Since patients with this condition also have allergies, doctors may conduct allergy tests in order to find out potential triggers or irritants.

The development of eczema comes with a lot of symptoms. Itch is present in almost all types of eczema, with intensity varying from minor irritation to an entirely alarming symptom.

Redness is normally existent, and tends to fluctuate within the day. That is, redness is more pronounce during certain parts of the day, and is barely obvious during other times. Redness is mostly distinct after an exercise or a hot bath.

Dryness comes with eczema. Skin can feel scaly, rough, and at times, thickened. Dryness lessens the skin’s ability to protect against cold, heat, bacterial infection, and fluid loss.

Wetness, or the excretion of colorless fluid which sometimes comes with blood, happens with severe eczema. This takes place when the itch is worse and when the area is possibly developing an infection. Wetness mostly happen as a result of blisters which burst after being scratched.

Although eczema is not a contagious skin disorder, experts believe that it is highly unpreventable due to the fact that eczema is an inherited medical condition. However, since certain triggers have been proven to worsen it, flare-ups can be avoided by staying away from potential triggers, such as, dust, mold, pollen, dry winter atmosphere with very little moisture, harsh detergents and soaps, tobacco smoke, sweating, emotional stress, animal dander, certain fabrics, certain food, excessive heat, certain products for the skin, and maintaining a very dry skin. Moreover, patients should keep themselves from scratching the rashes to prevent the symptoms fro worsening. Otherwise, secondary infection or a more severe damage to the skin may develop.

While the various treatment options do not assure patients of a complete cure for eczema, these still work to offer relief from symptoms and prevent frequent recurrences.