Eczema - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment to Get Rid of Eczema Fast

Definition

Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent or recurring skin rashes characterized by redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, with possible crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration sometimes characterize healed lesions, though scarring is rare. In the United Kingdom, up to one fifth of all children of school age have eczema, along with about one in twelve of the adult population. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. Eczema can be triggered by just about anything coming in contact with the skin. It occurs in atopic people, who are extra sensitive to skin irritation. Dry, flaky skin appears over red, inflamed areas, causing intense itching and burning.

Causes

1. Heredity: It is a genetic disease. It arises from interplay of multiple genes with external environmental factors. The more atopic genes that are present, the less environmental initiators are required to produce eczema.
2. Sudden change in temperature may cause eczema to occur.
3. Coming into contact with rough or coarse materials may cause the skin to become itchy which further can lead to exzema.
4. Stress makes the condition even worse.
5. Some food is also responsible to cause this disease. For example, egg, nuts or some dairy products can cause eczema in infants.
6. Leg circulation problems - can cause exzema.
7. The chemical irritants, such as - pesticides, paint strippers, alcohol, astringents, perfumes; harsh soaps, detergents, and household cleaners may lead to the condition of eczema.

Symptoms

1. The rash of eczema is itchy, red and symmetrical across the body. It may become dry, scaly and cracked, oozing yellowish fluid and forming crusts, especially if the child has been scratching.
2. Small water blisters on the skin, particularly on the hands and feet or the skin can become wet and weepy if it gets infected.
3. Thick, callused skin resulting from excessive scratching.
4. If it is scratched, it may ooze and become crusty, especially in young children.
5. The rash can be located anywhere on the body but is most often found on the face and on the arms and legs, particularly in creases and on hands and feet. This pattern makes sense because the face and extremities are in contact with external agents more than any other part of the body.

Treatment

1. Strength steroid cream and antihistamine medication are the usual treatments.
2. Wet or damp dressings can sometimes help with severe itching. A wet-to-wet dressing can be made by having your child wear wetted pajamas after he takes a bath and then apply a dry layer over this.
3. Avoid food and environmental triggers when possible.
4. A topical medication may be prescribed to help relieve itching and inflammation.
5. Keep your child's fingernails cut short to limit the damage caused by scratching.