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Eczema

One in ten people in the United States suffer from a chronic skin condition that, as yet, has no known effective cure. Eczema is a widespread skin disorder that causes rough, dry skin that can erupt into raised, red, weepy rashes.

Although it tends to occur in people with allergies, even infants, in fact twenty percent of all infants, suffer from eczema. As a childhood disorder, however, the condition seems to resolve itself and usually disappears by the age of five.

Defined as a type of dermatitis, eczema, in its milder form, appears as irritated skin. Its symptoms can range from dry, itchy, flaky patches of skin in this form to the more advanced condition which can cause swollen, angry, red rashes that may even bleed.

The treatment of eczema is basically symptomatic. Corticosteroids are widely used to downplay its many symptoms. Antibiotics are administered in an effort to kill any bacteria that maybe present and lead to a secondary infection. Antihistamines are offered in hopes of alleviating the itching.

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Prevention usually involves avoiding situations and conditions that are thought to aggravate eczema. Because dry skin appears to be the precursor in an onset of eczema, moisturizers are routinely recommended. Patients are cautioned against the use of strong soaps that strip natural oils from the skin leaving it excessively dry. Less aggressive soaps with a fat or oil base or even soap-free cleansers are more suitable for fragile skin.

Further measures can be taken to avoid the stresses that can aggravate eczema. Sudden, severe temperature changes, either hot or cold, can be a problem. Cold air can dry out skin, and overheating and sweating put even more stress on sensitive skin layers. Allergies of all kinds appear to exacerbate symptoms of eczema. Certain foods may trigger an onset, or contact with known skin irritants, like wool. Other allergens such as pollen, cat hair, or mites are known to be aggravating factors for some individuals dealing with eczema. One issue appears to be universal in both the onset and treatment of eczema, and that is stress. Stress of any kind - emotional, physical, environmental - appears to precipitate and perpetuate the symptoms of eczema.