Info about Eczema
Signs and Symptoms of Eczema
There are many kinds of skin inflammation known as eczema or dermatitis, as it is sometimes called. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema, but there are many different forms of the skin condition.
People of any age group can be affected by eczema. However, it is most common in babies and about 85% of the people who develop it will do so before the age of five. It is often completely resolved for infants that have it by the age of three. In some cases, it will recur throughout their entire life. People that have eczema commonly have a family history of this condition or allergy related conditions such as hay fever or asthma. It is believed that about twenty percent of children and two percent of adults have eczema. It is more often seen in girls than boys and it affects people of all races.
Eczema is not a contagious condition, but because it is believed to be inherited to some extent, it is very common to see member of the same family affected.
The exact cause of eczema is not known, but it is believed to be a defect in the skin that is combined with an abnormal function in the immune system. There are defects in the genes of people that have atopic dermatitis that cause abnormalities in certain proteins necessary to maintain the barrier of normal skin.
Certain forms of eczema can be brought on by things that come in contact with the skin such as clothing, jewelry, detergents, soaps, or cosmetics. Even sweat can sometimes cause an outbreak. Temperature or humidity changes and stress can also cause some people to have an outbreak.
Eczema can vary in appearance from one person to the next and according to the specific type. It most often appears as dry, red skin that itches or burns. The first symptom is usually a very intense itching of the skin. Eczema can cause blisters or lesions that ooze, but it can also cause dry scaly skin. Scratching repeatedly can cause thick crusty skin.
Eczema can appear on any part of the body but usually is found on the neck, face, and the insides of ankles, knees, and elbows. In infants it is commonly found on the scalp, cheeks, forehead, forearms, neck, and legs. Eczema on the scalp is sometimes commonly called cradle cap.
Sometimes eczema is just a short reaction that only has symptoms for several hours or days. If the symptoms last over a longer period of time it is considered to be chronic dermatitis.
Eczema is treated to control inflammation and itching that can make the condition worse. Treatment often involves the use of medications and lifestyle changes. It is based on the age of the individual and the severity of the condition. The most important steps to treating it is to apply creams or ointments to keep it well hydrated and avoid over washing the skin. Lifestyle sometimes have to be changed to avoid things that trigger outbreaks.