Everything you need to know about eczema
Eczema is a skin ailment that causes inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough patches of skin. Blisters can also be caused by some types.
Eczema affects 31.6 million people in the United States, or more than 10% of the population, in various forms and phases.
Many people use the term eczema to refer to the most prevalent type of dermatitis, atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis, asthma, and hay fever are just a few of the immune-related disorders that are referred to as a topic. The term dermatitis refers to skin irritation.
Certain foods, such as nuts and dairy, might aggravate eczema symptoms. Smoke, pollen, soaps, and scents are examples of environmental triggers. Eczema is an infectious skin condition.
About a quarter of youngsters in the United States, as well as 10% of African Americans, 13% of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, 13% of Native Americans, and 11% of white people, have the illness.
Some people grow out of it, while others will struggle with it far into adulthood. This article will define eczema and examine the symptoms, treatments, causes, and different forms of eczema.
Atopic dermatitis symptoms vary depending on a person's age and the severity of the ailment, as well as by individual.
Those who have the illness will frequently have periods when their symptoms intensify, followed by periods when their symptoms improve or disappear.
Symptoms of eczema in general
Eczema symptoms are typically moderate. The following are the most prevalent atopic dermatitis symptoms:
- Skin that is dry and scaly
- Flushing of the skin
- Sores that is open, crusty, or weeping
Severe eczema patients may require more rigorous treatment to alleviate their symptoms. Skin infections can also be caused by constant rubbing and itching.
Symptoms of Eczema in People of Color
Eczema rash can seem gray or brown in people of color. This can make epidemics more difficult to detect.
People of Color with eczema, on the other hand, may develop dark or light skin patches even after the eczema symptoms have faded. These have the potential to last a long time. Hyperpigmentation and depigmentation, as well as hypopigmentation, are terms used by doctors to describe these areas.
These patches, which may react to treatments such as steroid creams, might be evaluated by a dermatologist.
The parts that follow will go over some of the probable variances in symptoms in further depth.
Symptoms of infant eczema
In babies under the age of two, the following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common:
- Rashes on the cheeks and scalp
- Rashes that appear to be bubbling before spilling fluid
- Rashes that produce a lot of itching and might make it difficult to sleep
Symptoms of eczema in children
In children aged 2 and up, the following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common:
- Rashes that occur behind the elbow or knee creases
- Rashes on the neck, wrists, ankles, and the buttocks-to-legs crease
- Rashes with bumps
- Sores that can lighten or darken in color
The thickening of the skin, also known as lichenification, can lead to a chronic itch.
Adults' signs and symptoms
Adults with atopic dermatitis may have the following symptoms:
- Scaly rashes those are more severe than those seen in children
- Rashes that typically form in the creases of the elbows or knees, as well as the nape of the neck
- Rashes that cover a large portion of the body
- On the affected areas, the skin is extremely dry.
- Uncomfortable rashes that don't go away
Adults who had atopic dermatitis as children but no longer have it may have dry or easily irritated skin, hand eczema, or eyelid eczema.
The look of atopic dermatitis-affected skin is determined by how much a person scratches and whether the skin is infected. Scratching and rubbing can irritate the skin even more, causing inflammation and worsening the irritation.
Eczema has no remedy at the moment. The goal of treatment for this ailment is to cure the afflicted skin and prevent symptom flare-ups.
Doctors will recommend a treatment plan based on the patient's age, symptoms, and current health status.
Eczema can fade away over time for some people. Others, on the other hand, have it for the rest of their lives.
Some therapeutic possibilities are listed in the sections below.
Care at home
Eczema sufferers can do a number of things to improve their skin's health and lessen symptoms.
They can try this:
- Bathing in lukewarm water
- To “lock in” moisture, apply moisturizer within 3 minutes of bathing.
- Every day moisturizing
- Cotton and soft textiles are worn.
- Avoiding rough, scratchy fibers and clothing that is too tight
- In dry or cold conditions, use a humidifier.
- When washing, use a gentle soap or a non-soap cleanser.
- Taking extra steps in the winter to avoid eczema flare-ups
- Instead of rubbing the skin dry after bathing or showering, let it air dry or gently pat it dry with a towel.
- Avoiding abrupt temperature swings and activities that induce sweating whenever possible
- Identifying and avoiding specific eczema triggers
- Keeping fingernails short to avoid skin damage from scratching
Eczema can also be treated with natural therapies like as aloe vera, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.
To treat the symptoms of eczema, doctors can prescribe a variety of drugs, including:
Anti-inflammatory topical corticosteroid creams and ointments: These are anti-inflammatory drugs that should ease the main symptoms of eczema, such as irritation and itching. They can be applied directly to the skin. Prescription-strength medicines may be beneficial to some persons.
If topical therapies are unsuccessful, a doctor may prescribe oral drugs such as systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressant. These can be taken as injections or pills. They should only be used for a few minutes at a time. It's also worth noting that if the person isn't currently on another medicine for the disease, ceasing these pills may make the symptoms worse.
Antibiotics may be used if eczema is present in conjunction with a bacterial skin infection.
Antihistamines: Because they promote drowsiness, antihistamines can lessen the chance of midnight scratching.
Topical calcineurin inhibitors: This medication reduces the immune system's activity. It reduces inflammation and aids in the prevention of flare-ups.
Barrier repair moisturizers: These moisturizers work to prevent water loss while also repairing the skin.
Phototherapy entails exposing oneself to UVA or UVB radiation. Moderate dermatitis can be treated with this treatment. Throughout the therapy, a doctor will keep a close eye on the skin.
Injected biologic drugs: These treatments inhibit the immune system's ability to respond by blocking proteins in the immune system.
Despite the fact that the ailment is not yet curable, each individual should speak with a specialist to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Even when an area of skin has healed, it is critical to maintain care for it because it can easily become inflamed again.
Researchers are unsure of the exact etiology of eczema, although many doctors believe it is caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors.
If a parent has eczema or any atopic disorder, children are more likely to have it. The risk is even higher if both parents have atopic dermatitis.
Eczema symptoms may be exacerbated by certain environmental variables. These are some of them:
Irritants: Soaps, detergents, shampoos, disinfectants, and juices from fresh fruits, meats, and vegetables are all examples.
Allergens: Eczema can be caused by dust mites, pets, pollens, and mold. Allergic eczema is the medical term for this condition.
Microbes: Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, and some fungi are among them.
Extremely hot and cold conditions, high and low humidity and exercise-induced perspiration can all aggravate eczema.
Foods: Eczema flare-ups can be triggered by dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds, soy products, and wheat.
Stress: Although this is not a direct cause of eczema, it can exacerbate the symptoms.
Hormones: When a woman's hormone levels change, such as during pregnancy or at particular points during the menstrual cycle, she may notice an increase in eczema symptoms.
Eczema comes in a variety of forms. Other kinds of dermatitis, in addition to atopic dermatitis, include:
Contact dermatitis due to allergies: This is a type of cutaneous reaction that happens when the immune system perceives a chemical or allergen as alien.
Dyshidrotic eczema: Irritation of the skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet is referred to as this. Blisters are a common symptom.
Neurodermatitis: Scaly patches of skin appear on the head, forearms, wrists, and lower thighs as a result of this. It is caused by a localized itch, such as that caused by an insect bite.
Eczema discoid: This type of eczema, also known as nummular eczema, manifests as crusty, scaly, and itchy circular patches of inflamed skin.
Dermatitis of stasis: This is a term used to describe skin irritation on the lower thigh. It's frequently linked to circulation issues.
Eczema is an inflammatory skin disorder that affects many people. Topic dermatitis is the most frequent kind. Eczema is most frequent in youngsters, but by the time they reach puberty, the majority of them will have grown out of it.
Eczema is a skin condition that causes discomfort and can vary in severity. Depending on a person's age, it might manifest itself in a variety of ways. The signs may be more difficult to detect in those with darker skin tones.
Although there is presently no cure, patients can use home remedies, moisturizers, pharmaceuticals, and lifestyle modifications to manage and prevent eczema.
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