Eczema
Eczema is a group of skin diseases that cause dermatitis and irritation. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. The term “atopic” refers to a group of cases with genetic predisposition to the emergence of other allergic diseases such as asthma and hay fever.
Statistics show that 10% to 20% of infants and about 3% of adults have eczema in the United States. Most of these infants will get eczema before the age of ten, while some continue to suffer from their symptoms intermittently for life, Can be controlled with appropriate treatment.
Eczema
There are several types of eczema, all of which cause the itching and redness of the skin, and some of them cause the formation of pimples and even skin peeling, and these types:
- Eczema is one of the most common and affects people who already have asthma or hay fever, who have a family history of eczema or allergies, or who suffer from a skin disorder that allows moisture to enter. This type usually starts in early childhood With the possibility of being infected at any age, affecting the skin in the face, hands, feet, the inner part of the facilities and the back of the knees.
- Contact eczema: There are two types of it: either because of contact with the skin of an irritant such as chemicals and detergents, or contact with an allergen such as nickel, cosmetics and poison ivy plant.
- Eczema in sweating: This affects the hands and feet, but the cause remains unknown.
- Meningococcal eczema: This type affects men more than women; the first outbreak occurs in men before the mid-fifties, and in women as a teenager.
- Dermatomyositis: This type is also known as dandruff, and affects the scalp in children, but in adults also affects the eyebrows and sides of the nose and the area behind the ear and the central region of the chest. This type can result in an increase in the growth of a certain type of fungus living naturally in those areas, in addition to increasing the speed of cell growth in the scalp.
Symptoms of eczema
Eczema symptoms vary from person to person, and the rash can vary from region to region. These symptoms are mild, moderate or severe, and eczema patients generally suffer from:
- Dry and sensitive skin.
- Itching is severe.
- Redness and skin irritation.
- Frequent skin rash occurs.
- Skin exfoliation and roughness of its texture.
- Swelling in affected areas and the possibility of appearance of it.
- Dark areas appear.
Causes of eczema
Although the main cause of the development of eczema is unknown, there are several factors that stimulate the spread of symptoms, so each patient should know what causes him to avoid, and these stimuli:
- Irritant substances : These substances worsen symptoms, including cleaning agents and disinfectants and even when some people touch fruits or vegetables or meat or eat.
- Sensitive substances If a person is genetically exposed to eczema, he or she suffers from exposure to one of these substances, such as house dust, contact with pets (cats over dogs), pollen (in season), and crust.
- Microbes : As a few types of bacteria such as Streptococcus bacteria, viruses, or fungus.
- High or low temperatures .
- Some foods : Some studies suggest that about one-third to two-thirds of children or young people with atopic eczema are allergic to certain types of food, such as dairy products, eggs, nuts, soy products, and wheat.
- Tension .
- Hormones : Where the increase or decrease levels of some hormones can cause seizures of eczema in some women.
Eczema treatment
It is possible to get eczema (especially inactivity) permanently, and therefore may need treatment for a long period may extend for years, and may return symptoms and signs, even if they respond to drugs (so-called seizures), and is usually advised to resort to household methods before resorting to medicines for the itching And softening the skin irritating, and these methods:
- Shower with diluted solution of bleach : It reduces the bacteria on the skin and thus reduce the associated inflammation.
- Apply anti-itching creams Or the preparation of Kalamine on the affected area; as well as hydrocortisone creams that may temporarily relieve itching, and advised to use before the process of moisturizing the skin, and should also ease the use of these preparations if the patient improves it to avoid seizures.
- Moisturize the skin at least twice daily : Using moisturizing ingredients throughout the body while still wet after bathing, should focus on the feet, arms, back and body aspects.
- Avoid scratching : It is recommended to cover the affected area and cut nails and wear gloves at night.
- Take anti-allergic or anti-itching medicines : One option is antihistamines, and these drugs may cause the feeling of indigestion, so it is advised to eat at bedtime.
- Put the dressings cool and moist On the affected area; to protect the skin and to avoid itching.
- Use light soap Which does not contain pigments or perfumes.
- Wear soft cotton clothes Wear coarse clothing causes skin irritation, as well as wearing appropriate clothing in hot climates to avoid excessive sweating.
- Treatment of anxiety and tension , Because of their role in the emergence of attacks of eczema atopic.
- Phototherapy : The simplest forms of this type of treatment include exposure to the sun, and there are also artificial rays such as ultraviolet light, and is not used for the treatment of infants or young children.
If the patient does not improve on home and self-medication, consult your doctor. Some medicines may be used, including:
- Creams for the treatment of itching and skin irritation, such as those containing corticosteroids.
- Medications to help restore the skin, such as those called calcinurine, keep the skin in shape, reduce itching and reduce the incidence of atopic eczema, but because of its multiple side effects, it is recommended to be used if other treatments fail, and for children older than 2 years and for adults.
- Anti-Inflammation: Antibiotics may be used if bacterial infection of the skin occurs or if skin ulcers or cracks occur in the skin due to itching.