Eczema is a skin disorder that makes your skin become inflamed or irritated. The most common type of eczema is atopic eczema, which refers to a person's predisposition to get allergic conditions such as hay fever and asthma.
Eczema is thought to be triggered by an overactive immune system that responds when exposed to irritants. At times it can be caused due to an abnormal response to proteins that are part of the body. There are hardly any treatments for eczema, but most people can cope with their symptoms by getting treatment and avoiding irritants. Eczema isn't transmissible, so it does not spread to another person.
Eczema includes conditions such as:
Atopic dermatitis- It is characterized as dry, itchy skin that often appears with a red rash.
Contact dermatitis- When your skin comes into contact with irritants that cause burning, itching, and skin redness. The inflammation vanishes when the irritant is removed.
Dyshidrotic Eczema- This condition affects fingers, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. It causes itchy, scaly patches of skin that flake or become red, cracked, and painful. The condition is more prevalent in women.
Nummular Eczema- Patients with this type of eczema get round sores, often after a skin injury like a burn or insect bite.
Dry, itchy, rough, flaky, inflamed, and irritated skin are the main symptoms of eczema. Eczema can affect the arms, inner elbows, backs of the knees, or head, particularly the cheeks and the scalp. It's not transmissible, and, in some people, the symptoms of eczema reduce with age.
A few other symptoms of Eczema include:
An allergist or a dermatologist can help you identify the correct treatment for eczema. A combination of more than one treatment can be employed to treat eczema.
Medications
Oral over-the-counter antihistamines may help you to get relief from constant itching. These medicines work by blocking histamine, which triggers allergic reactions. Some medicines include cetirizine, diphenhydramine, fexofenadine, loratadine, etc. Steroid ointments and creams can relieve itching and scaling.
Therapies
Phototherapy or light therapy by using ultraviolet light suppresses the immune system's response that triggers eczema. It requires a combination of treatments and can help reduce or clear up eczema. It can also prevent bacterial skin infections.
Lifestyle changes
Stress can trigger or aggravate symptoms. There are many ways by which pressure can be reduced that include:
Alternative Treatments
Alternative treatments may help alleviate the symptoms of eczema. Before using any herbal supplement, check with your doctor for any possible side effects. Popular home remedies include green tea, acupuncture, and aromatherapy, to name a few.
Call San Pedro at (310) 832-6487 or schedule an online appointment to know more about Eczema.
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