Understanding Eczema. It's causes and treatments.

Eczema is a harsh skin condition. It blisters, cracks, itches, flakes, crusts and dries. It may also bleed, and be really dry. If you are a sufferer, the symptoms can drive you mad. I have suffered for years, and unfortunately so have my two children. I have tried every drug and herbal therapy going in my attempts to control outbreaks. It is a difficult condition to manage because of the many ways it presents itself and doctors aren't really sure what causes it.




Types

  • Atopic eczema is considered hereditary. More commonly known as eczema or atopic eczema, a chronic itchy rash that tends to come and go. It is usually found on face and scalp, neck, inside of elbows and knees, and on your butt. There is a debate that because we live in a clean society that cases are actually rising due to contact with irritating cleaners and soaps. I tend to think this may be the case as washing our clothes in certain harsh soaps makes everyone break out in a rash which then may or may not turn into a full blown case of dermatitis.

  • Contact Dermatitis can be either allergic or an irritant. Allergic can be many different types of things like nickel, or poison ivy. Irritants can result from many different things. Certain cleaners, cement, heavily fragranced items like a bounce sheet have all been found to be culprits. Obviously it is in your best interest to avoid such items that can cause a break out.

  • Xerotic eczema. You skin becomes so dry that it turns into eczema. Winters can make this worse and it is usually found on your legs and arms. The skin starts to look like a cracked river bed and is really itchy. It also tends to get worse as you get older.

  • Seborrhoeic dermatitis is also called cradle cap. A common scalp condition that often causes dandruff. The head and maybe the eyebrows of the baby start scaling. They may also get pimples in other areas of the body and face. In newborns it causes a thick, yellow crusty scalp rash which is related to a lack of biotin. Very curable. Check out my page on

    biotin deficiencies. It did not cure everybody's eczema but supplementing cut down on occurance and severity. Also it may help with postpartum depression and alopeciea.

To hear another persons account in dealing with the constant itching and scratching of eczema, Click Here! It's an amazing story.

Treatment

  • Apply an anti-itch cream or calamine lotion to the affected area. A nonprescription hydrocortisone cream, containing at least 1 percent hydrocortisone, can temporarily relieve your itch. A nonprescription oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others), may be helpful if your itching is severe.

  • Apply cool, wet compresses.

  • Take a comfortably cool bath. Put an emollient oil in your bathwater and soak the affected area for at least 5 minutes. (emollient oils such as Aveeno, Keri, Avon Skin So Soft) You could also sprinkle your bath water with baking soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal - a finely ground oatmeal that is made for the bathtub (Aveeno, others).

  • Avoid scratching whenever possible. After applying a rich emollient cream, cover the itchy area with a dressing if you can't keep from scratching it. Trim nails and wear gloves at night. If your little ones are scratching try putting socks on their hands.

  • Wear smooth-textured cotton clothing. This will help you avoid irritating the affected area.

  • Use a hypo allergenic laundry detergent when washing clothes, towels and bedding. My favorites are Natura and Purex. Try using the extra rinse cycle on your wash machine.


    For some more great information and treatment options click here. Eczema treatment site will open in a new window.



















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