Eczema is very common. In fact, over 30 million Americans have some form of eczema a condition that causes the skin to be red, itchy, dry and scaly. Eczema generally appears in the first six months to five years of a childs life. Babies usually develop it on their face (especially the cheeks and chin), but it can appear anywhere on the body (like the folds of the elbows, and/or knees) and symptoms may be different from one child to the next. More often than not, symptoms go away as a child grows older, though some children will continue to experience eczema symptoms into adulthood. Adults can also develop eczema, even if they never had symptoms as a child. Either way, you should know that eczema is not contagious. You cannot catch it from another person, or give it to someone else. Different types of eczema that you should know about: All of these cause itching and redness, but some may also cause your skin to blister, weep, or peel. The most common type, which can also be severe and long-lasting, is atopic dermatitis (AD). Its important to understand which type you or your child may have and also your … Continue reading →

The key to staying healthy while living with eczema is to keep symptoms under control. Thats why its good to know about the everyday triggers in your surroundings like dry skin, irritants, allergens and stress that might make you or your childs eczema flare up, or get worse. In many cases eczema is manageable, especially with a proper skin care routine. This includes bathing and moisturizing daily, sometimes in combination with prescription medications and/or alternative therapies. Some basic things you can do to help control eczema: There are many different treatments that people who live with eczema can use to relieve symptoms. These include: Remember that eczema symptoms can be different for everyone. Not everyone will respond to a treatment in the same way, so its best to familiarize yourself with all of the options and talk to your doctor to find a treatment regimen that works for you. Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments are products or medications you can buy without a prescription. Some OTC eczema treatments are used for moisturizing skin; some are used to help skin symptoms such as rash, redness and itch; and some are for gently cleaning skin to prevent infection. Explore OTC products that earned the … Continue reading →

Eczema usually appears in the first six months to five years of a childs life. In fact, as many as 10% of all infants in the US have some form of eczema. While there are a few different types of eczema that your infant or toddler can develop, the most common form is called atopic dermatitis (AD). AD is a chronic condition that starts with the immune system. Its important to understand which type of eczema your baby may have and also his or her symptoms and triggers. This will help you better treat and manage the condition as your infant or toddler grows, since some will continue to experience eczema as an older child and teenager. The only way to be sure your baby has eczema and what type, is to make an appointment with your doctor. Like all many types of eczema, we dont know the exact cause. What we do know is that infants and toddlers who develop eczema do so because a combination of their genes and environmental factors. When something outside the body triggers the immune system, cells go into overdrive and cause the skin to flare up in the form of rashes, redness and … Continue reading →

Hand eczema, also known as hand dermatitis, is a common condition that affects about 10% of the U.S. population. Both genetics and contact allergens (irritating substances) play a role in triggering this form of eczema. It often affects people who work in cleaning, catering, hairdressing, healthcare and mechanical jobs where they may come into contact with chemicals and other irritants. Hand eczema isnt contagious. You cannot catch it from another person, or give it to someone else. Even so, the symptoms of hand eczema can impact a persons self-esteem and their ability to perform on the job. All types of eczema cause itching and redness of the skin. But some, like hand eczema, look and act slightly different than others. Some symptoms of hand eczema: Irritant contact dermatitis on the fingers and spaces in between them, caused by contact with allergens and irritating substances like chemicals. There is another specific type of hand eczema called pompholyx or dyshidrotic eczema, which causes small, itchy blisters to appear on the palms of the hands. Dyshidrotic eczema tends to affect women more than men. If you think that you might have dyshidrotic eczema, make an appointment with your doctor. Knowing which substances trigger … Continue reading →

What is eczema? Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic allergic condition in which the skin develops areas of itchy, scaly rashes. Eczema can occur on almost any part of the body but eczema on face areas is common, as is eczema on the scalp, inside of elbows, knees, ankles, and hands. It typically appears as extremely itchy patches on the skin. Eczema can get worse when scratched; in fact, itchy skin may appear normal until scratched; the irritating action may then cause the characteristic rash and scales to develop. Other eczema symptoms include: Scratching can introduce infectious agents into the skin, leading to secondary complications including bacterial infection and permanent scars. Eczema is caused by a reaction similar to that of an allergy and can promote chronic inflammation. The condition will often wax and wane and accompany other allergic conditions such as asthma. In some cases, a specific substance, such as certain soaps, detergents, or metals, dust mites, and animal dander, can trigger eczema. For many people, however, there is no known allergen that causes this reaction. Eczema can be worsened by dry climates, exposure to water, temperature changes, and stress. Eczema is particularly common in infants … Continue reading →

What are eczema symptoms and signs? Almost all patients with eczema complain of itching. Since the appearance of most types of eczema is similar, the distribution of the eruption can be of great help in distinguishing one type from another. For example, stasis dermatitis occurs most often on the lower leg while atopic dermatitis occurs in the front of the elbow and behind the knee. An accurate diagnosis requires an examination of the entire skin surface and a careful history. It is important to rule out curable conditions caused by infectious organisms. Occasionally, a sample of skin (biopsy) may be sent for examination in a laboratory. The treatment of acute eczema requires repeated cycles of application of dilute aqueous solutions followed by evaporation. This is most often conveniently performed by placing the affected body part in front of a fan after the compress. Once the acute weeping has diminished, then topical steroids (such as triamcinolone cream) application can be an effective treatment. In extensive disease, systemic steroids may need to be utilized either orally or by an injection (shot). Mild eczema may respond to compresses composed of tepid water followed by room air evaporation. Chronic eczema can be improved by … Continue reading →

The word eczema comes from the Greek word ekzein which means to boil. Eczema (also known as dermatitis) is a dry skin condition. It is a highly individual condition which varies from person to person and comes in many different forms. It is not contagious so you cannot catch it from someone else. In mild cases of eczema, the skin is dry, scaly, red and itchy. In more severe cases there may be weeping, crusting and bleeding. Constant scratching causes the skin to split and bleed and also leaves it open to infection. Eczema affects people of all ages but is primarily seen in children. Those who grow out of their eczema during early childhood may see it recur again in later life. In the UK, one in five children and one in twelve adults have eczema while eczema and contact dermatitis account for 84-90% of occupational skin disease. Atopic eczema is a genetic condition based on the interaction between a number of genes and environmental factors. In most cases there will be a family history of either eczema or one of the other atopic conditions i.e asthma or hay fever. To understand what eczema is and what causes it, … Continue reading →