Eczema is a general term for many types of skin
inflammation (dermatitis). Eczema is
synonymous with atopic dermatitis.Typically, eczematous skin is itchy, red, and
dry -- even cracked and leathery. Eczema most frequently appears on the face
and extremities, but it can show up in other areas, too. Eczema is not
contagious, but since it is believed to be at least partially inherited, it is
not uncommon to find members of the same family affected.
Eczema can affect people of any age, although the
condition is most common in infants, and about 85% of those affected have an
onset prior to 5 years of age. Eczema will permanently resolve by age 3 in
about half of affected infants. In others, the condition tends to recur
throughout life. People with eczema often have a family history of the condition
or a family history of other allergic conditions, such as asthma or hay fever.
Eczema is slightly more common in girls than in boys and occurs in people of
all races.
What
Are the Causes of Eczema?
Doctors do not know the exact cause of eczema, but
a defect of the skin that impairs its function as a barrier, possibly combined
with an abnormal function of the immune system, is believed to be an important
factor. Asthma, hay fever, and eczema often occur in the same families. Studies
have shown that in people with atopic dermatitis there are gene defects that
lead to abnormalities in certain proteins (such as filaggrin) that are
important in maintaining the barrier of normal skin.Eczema can be triggered by
substances that come in contact with the skin, such as soaps, cosmetics,
clothing, detergents, jewelry, or sweat. Environmental allergens (substances
that cause allergic reactions) may also cause outbreaks of eczema. Changes in
temperature or humidity, or even psychological stress, can lead to outbreaks of
eczema in some people.
Eczema
most commonly appears as dry, reddened skin
that itches or burns. Intense itching is frequently the first symptom in
most people with eczema. Sometimes, eczema may lead to blisters and
oozing lesions,
but eczema can also result in dry, crusted, scaly, and thickened skin
induced
by repeated scratching.
Signs
in Babies, Children & Adults
While any region of the body may be affected by
eczema, in children and adults, eczema typically occurs in a typical
distribution on the face, neck, and the insides of the elbows, knees, and
ankles. In infants, eczema typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms,
legs, scalp, and neck. Eczema can sometimes occur as a brief reaction that only
leads to symptoms for a few hours or days, but in other cases, the symptoms persist over a longer time and are referred to as chronic dermatitis.
Types
of Eczematous Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is the most
common of the many types of eczematous eruptions, and often people often
inappropriately use the two terms interchangeably. There are many terms used to
describe specific forms of dermatitis that may closely resemble atopic
dermatitis. cases, the symptoms persist over a longer time and
are referred to as chronic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease
characterized by itchy, inflamed skin and is the most common cause of eczema.
The condition tends to come and go, depending upon exposures to triggers or
causative factors. Factors that may cause atopic dermatitis (allergens) include
environmental factors like molds, pollen, or pollutants; contact irritants like
soaps, detergents, nickel (in jewelry), or perfumes; food allergies; or other
allergies. Around two-thirds of those who develop the condition do so prior to
1 year of age. When the disease starts in infancy, it is sometimes termed
infantile eczema. Atopic dermatitis tends to run in families, and people who
develop the condition often have a family history of other allergic conditions
such as asthma or hay fever.
Contact
Eczema
Contact eczema (contact dermatitis) is a localized
reaction that includes redness, itching, and burning in areas where the skin
has come into contact with an allergen (an allergy-causing substance to which
an individual is sensitized) or with a general irritant such as an acid, a
cleaning agent, or other chemical. Other examples of contact eczema include
reactions to laundry detergents, soaps, nickel (present in jewelry), cosmetics,
fabrics, clothing, and perfume. Due to the vast number of substances with which
individuals have contact, it can be difficult to determine the trigger for
contact dermatitis. The condition is sometimes referred to as allergic contact
eczema (allergic contact dermatitis) if the trigger is an allergen and irritant
contact eczema (irritant contact dermatitis) if the trigger is an irritant.
Skin reactions to poison ivy and poison sumac are examples of allergic contact
eczema. People who have a history of allergies have an increased risk for
developing contact eczema.
Seborrheic eczema (seborrheic dermatitis) is a form
of skin inflammation of unknown cause. The signs and symptoms of seborrheic
eczema include yellowish, oily, scaly patches of skin on the scalp, face, and
occasionally other parts of the body. Dandruff and "cradle cap" in
infants are examples of seborrheic eczema. It is commonplace for seborrheic
dermatitis to inflame the face at the creases of the cheeks and/or the nasal
folds. Seborrheic dermatitis is not necessarily associated with itching. This
condition tends to run in families. Emotional stress, oily skin, infrequent
shampooing, and weather conditions are felt to be factors for developing
seborrheic eczema. One type of seborrheic eczema is also common in people with
AIDS.
Nummular eczema (nummular dermatitis) is
characterized by coin-shaped patches of irritated skin -- most commonly located
on the arms, back, buttocks, and lower legs -- that may be crusted, scaling,
and extremely itchy. This form of eczema occurs most frequently in elderly men
and women. Nummular eczema is usually a chronic condition. A personal or family
history of atopic dermatitis, asthma, or allergies increases the risk of
developing the condition.
Lichen simplex chronicus is a chronic skin
inflammation caused by a scratch-itch cycle that begins with a localized itch
(such as an insect bite) that becomes intensely irritated when scratched. Women
are commonly affected, and the condition is most frequent in people 20-50 years
of age. This form of eczema results in scaly patches of skin on the head, lower
legs, wrists, or forearms. Over time, the skin can become thickened and
leathery.
Stasis
dermatitis is a skin irritation on the lower
legs, generally related to the circulatory problem known as venous
insufficiency, in which the function of the valves within the veins has
been compromised. Stasis dermatitis occurs almost exclusively in
middle-aged and
elderly people, with approximately 6%-7% of the
population over 50 years of age being affected by the condition. The
risk of developing stasis dermatitis increases with advancing age.
Symptoms include itching and/or reddish-brown discoloration of the skin
on one or both legs. Progression of the condition can lead to the
blistering, oozing skin lesions seen with other forms of eczema, and
ulcers may develop in affected areas. The chronic circulatory problems
lead to an increase in fluid buildup (edema) in the legs. Stasis
dermatitis has also been referred to as varicose eczema.
Dyshidrotic eczema (dyshidrotic
dermatitis) is an irritation of the skin on the palms of hands and soles of the
feet characterized by clear, deep blisters that itch and burn. The cause of
dyshidrotic eczema is unknown. Dyshidrotic eczema is also known as vesicular
palmoplantar dermatitis, dyshidrosis, or pompholyx. This form of eczema occurs
in up to 20% of people with hand eczema and is more common during the spring
and summer months and in warmer climates. Males and females are equally
affected, and the condition can occur in people of any age.
To diagnose eczema, doctors rely on a thorough
physical examination of the skin as well as the patient's account of the
history of the condition. In particular, the doctor will ask when the condition
appeared, if the condition is associated with any changes in environment or
contact with certain materials, and whether it is aggravated in any specific
situations. Eczema may have a similar appearance to other diseases of the skin,
including infections or reactions to certain medications, so the diagnosis is
not always simple. In some cases, a biopsy of the skin may be taken in order to
rule out other skin diseases that may be producing signs and symptoms similar
to eczema. If a doctor suspects that a patient has allergic contact dermatitis,
allergy tests, possibly including a skin "patch test," may be carried
out in an attempt to identify the specific trigger of the condition. There are
no laboratory or blood tests that can be used to establish the diagnosis of
eczema.
Eczema
Treatment - Basic Therapies
The goals for the treatment of eczema are to
prevent itching, inflammation, and worsening of the condition. Treatment of
eczema may involve both lifestyle changes and the use of medications. Most
doctors will start patients on basic therapies. Keeping the skin well hydrated
through the application of creams or ointments (with a low water and high oil
content) as well as avoiding over-bathing is an important step in treatment. It
is recommended to apply emollient creams such as petrolatum-based creams to
damp skin immediately after a five-minute lukewarm bath, prior to towel drying,
in order to seal in moisture while the body is still wet.
Can
Eczema Be Prevented?
While there is no cure for eczema, you can take
steps to manage your symptoms and lessen the severity of outbreaks. Preventing
eczema may be as simple as changing your laundry detergent or as difficult as
moving to a new climate or changing jobs. Try the measures listed on this and
the following slide to control and help prevent outbreaks of eczema.
Eczema is a chronic, incurable condition that can
often resolve spontaneously. Good skin care is a key component in controlling
eczema. Proper care of the skin can often be enough in many milder cases of
eczema. While eczema is not preventable, the self-care measures provided can
help manage symptoms and reduce the severity of outbreaks.
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Wishing you all the best!
Manpreet Sandhu
Contact No. +919501215888
