Eczema: Symptoms & Treatment

Eczema is also known as Infantile Eczema or Dermatitis Atopic. It is a disease of skin with itching rashes and scaly. People, who have family history of health diseases such as hay fever or asthma, at high risk of getting the Eczema. It is commonly found in infants.

Chronic inflammation may cause by occur a hypersensitivity reaction in the skin and skin become scaly and itchy. The skin become leathery-textured and thickens due to scratching and irritation.

Signs and symptoms of Eczema

• Blisters with crusting and oozing
• Rashes
• Itching
• Inflammation or skin redness
• Skin lesions on the elbows, knees or cheeks
• Bleeding or ear discharges
• Dry or leathery skin areas around the hands, neck, eyelids and behind the knee

Diagnosis

A skin lesion biopsy will be performed by the health care providers to diagnose the disease. The disease can also determine by family history and appearance of signs and symptoms of Eczema.

When to seek medical advice

If someone has signs and symptoms of eczema, consult the health care providers as soon as possible. If treatment is not effective, if signs of eczema such as redness, pain or fever occur or if eczema does not respond to moisturizers, call for an appointment with the doctor.

Treatment

The types of treatment depend on the appearance of the skin lesions such as dry scaly lesions, weeping lesions, thickened lesions and chronic lesions. In case of dry skin lesions, patient should use less soap and keep water contact as brief as possible. It is necessary that apply lubricating cream on the affected area to trap the moisture in the skin. Sweating may caused by stress and changes in temperature.

Mild soaps, soothing moisturizers or wet dressings are useful to treat the weeping lesions. Sometimes, topical corticosteroids or mild anti-itch lotions may soothe less dry scaly lesions or healing areas.

Creams or ointments that include corticosteroids, tar compounds and other ingredients that soften the skin are effective to treat the chronic thickened areas. In some cases, systemic corticosteroids may be prescribed by the doctor to reduce the inflammation.

Medications known as topical immunomodulators is the latest treatment for eczema. Ascomycin and tacrolimus are the main medications which are steroid-free. These medications are very effective to reduce the disease.

Complications

Complications of Eczema are permanent scar formation and secondary bacterial infections of the skin.

Prevention

• The control of anxiety, stress, depression and nervousness are beneficial in most cases of Eczema. There are some dietary restrictions such as fish, soy, eggs and peanuts, help to reduce the disease.

• Patient should clean your skin rapidly and dry your skin with a soft and clean towel after bathing.

• People, who have eczema, don’t need to take shower daily. Antibacterial soaps and Deodorant may dry to your skin. Use mild soaps to remove natural oils.

• Patients should apply moisturizer on the skin with a specific cream. Pay special attention to the arms, back and legs of your body. Use only lubricating cream such as Eucerin made for dry skin.