Eczema is a skin condition like no other. While it can be troublesome and annoying, it rarely causes serious health problems. The most frustrating part of this chronic condition, apart from being itchy and unsightly, is that its cause can be notoriously hard to pinpoint, making it difficult to treat. However, sometimes eczema can become infected, requiring treatment by a medical professional and, more often than not, a course of antibiotics and/or anti-fungal cream.
What is Eczema?
Eczema, also referred to as dermatitis, is a blanket term for a type of skin inflammation, resulting in dry, itchy patches of skin that sometimes turn red and bleeds, and occasionally become infected. Eczema varies from person to person, and most children who have the condition tend to outgrow it before they turn two.
In people with light skin, areas affected by eczema can turn red and then brown. People with darker skin can experience areas of pigmentation due to the condition, resulting in patches of skin that turn lighter. Babies often get oozing patches of eczema on the face and scalp, but eczema can appear anywhere at all – although characteristically on the backs of the elbows and knees and the wrists.
Causes of Eczema
There are several reasons why we get eczema. One theory is that it is an overactive response by the body’s immune system to specific unknown triggers. People who have a family history of eczema, allergies or asthma are often more prone to eczema than others.
Different types of eczema can also occur due to different causes. Some people react to certain allergens such as specific metals or materials, others to specific household soaps, detergents or shampoos. Some people get a flare-up when stressed, others when they get too hot or cold.
There are three medically recognized elements in identifying eczema:
- A red, scaly rash characteristic of the condition
- Accompanying itching of the rash
- A family history of asthma, eczema and/or allergic rhinitis (hayfever) or other allergies
Different Types of Eczema
There are many different types of eczema, here are some of the most common ones:
Atopic eczema, or atopic dermatitis. The most common type affecting usually people with a history of allergies in their family. Interestingly, allergies to house dust mites and specific food allergies (milk, eggs, soya, wheat etc) can make eczema worse.
Contact dermatitis. Caused by an irritant coming in contact with the skin and resulting in a reaction. Common culprits are soaps, bubble baths and detergents – less common ones are sweat, saliva and even water. People can also get contact dermatitis caused by an allergy to items containing nickel, which is why it’s not uncommon on the earlobes – thanks to nickel-plated earrings.
Varicose eczema: Affects older people due to poor circulation and can cause great upset in the skin around the ankles, and eventually could result in an ulcer.
Hand eczema: Often caused by repeated hand-washing; sometimes the result of a latex allergy. Changing soaps can help but it can be a reaction to water.
Treating Eczema
There is no real cure for eczema, although people often outgrow the condition (see above). If you are among the unlucky who doesn’t, then avoiding certain triggers – such as allergens etc – can help you to avoid flare-ups, as well as keeping your skin as well-moisturized as possible.
Here are other ways to control the condition yourself – you may also have to get prescription-strength steroids and antihistamines from your doctor or dermatologist, although very severe cases may require other treatments…
- Steroid creams. These are often used when there is a flare-up, usually non-prescription hydrocortisone. Do not skip a day and use until the eczema is gone, then use a non-steroidal moisturizer several times a day to keep the eczema at bay.
- Moisturizing often with creams and emollients recommended by your doctor or dermatologist – those that are unscented without certain chemicals.
- Taking warm, not hot showers instead of baths. Sometimes an oatmeal bath can help alleviate the itching. Your doctor or dermatologist can also recommend special bath oils.
- Using only special soaps to wash with which do not exacerbate the tender, sensitive nature of your skin.
- Avoiding triggers that can make things worse, such as being in the company of animals which are a known allergen.
- Avoiding wearing clothes that can exacerbate the symptoms, such as tight-fitting garments or those made of fibers that can irritate, such as wool.
- Resisting the urge to scratch. People who have eczema so badly that this becomes next to impossible often have to resort to wearing special gloves at night so they don’t scratch in their sleep.
- Avoiding anything that can make you sweat excessively, such as exercise, during a severe flare-up.
Dealing with Severe Eczema
In rare cases, individuals experience such severe eczema that life can become almost unbearable. For people who suffer intolerable itching and have unbelievably cracked, bleeding skin, then wet wrap therapy may be the answer. It is also recommended for people with hand eczema.
Wet wrap therapy involves wrapping the affected areas to calm and re-hydrate the skin. The patient has a lukewarm bath with special bath oil, then applies moisturizers and any steroid creams. After that, bandages are soaked in either bath oil or moisturizer and applied to the affected areas. Afterwards, dry bandages are applied over the wet ones.
This therapy has been shown to be beneficial, not only in re-hydrating the skin but in stopping the scratching and allowing the affected areas time to heal. The wet wraps have also been shown to aid sleep. If you are interested in trying this method, however, speak to a doctor first. Special care must be taken with small children in particular to make sure they don’t get a chill from the procedure.
Maintaining Results
Eczema is a chronic condition that cannot really be cured; however, with a lot of time and effort is it almost always possible to keep it under control. Avoid triggers and irritants that tend to make your eczema worse, and when it flares up stick assiduously to a regular moisturizing routine to calm it down. And if your eczema becomes infected, seek advice from a medical professional at once. Good luck!
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