What Is Eczema?
Eczema: Eczema or dermatitis is a condition of the skin in which patches of skin become rough, scaly or bumpy and are accompanied by varying degrees if itchiness. Eczema is estimated to afflict up to 30% of the US population. This skin condition is thought to be genetic and cannot be cured. Some cases of eczema disappear after childhood while others remain throughout life.
Itchiness of the infected skin will often be the first sign of an outbreak. Red bumps will also emerge throughout the body. Common affected body parts are face, knees, hands, feet, and elbows. The outbreaks of eczema vary in degrees of pain and severity. Weeping, where a liquid is produced from the cracking, scaly skin, may occur within an extremely severe case.
The most common reason of an eczema flare-up is an allergic reaction. An individual may have an allergic reaction to something in the environment, such as temperature changes, harsh fabrics, or the chemicals and dyes found in certain shampoos, soaps, and detergents. Eczema can also be triggered by stress or foods.
In order to prevent an outbreak or flare-up of eczema, the individual should remove or avoid triggers. Moisturize the skin daily so that the breakout prone areas do not get dry. If there is a persistent itch, use a damp, cool cloth to relieve the urge to scratch.
Doctors often prescribe hydrocortisone creams or corticosteroids. Hydrocortisone creams are available over the counter. Corticosteroids are available by prescription. Depending on the severity of the condition, corticosteroids may be prescribed in a cream for topical use, or orally for more severe cases. Oral doses may produce side effects especially when used over a long period of time. Therefore, oral doses should be prescribed for short doses only.
TIMS, topical immunomodulators, may be doctor prescribed in an extreme breakout. They are often used as a last result after other treatments have been tried and have not worked. Elidel, TIMs, and Protopic all have side effects that have been linked to cancer and are risky for the patient.
Summary: Eczema is a skin condition that results in itchy bumpy skin. Eczema can affect any area of the body and may be hereditary. It is a condition that cannot be cured but is not contagious. Triggers include environmental factors such as chemical dyes and perfumes found in soaps and detergents, rough fabrics against the body, extreme heat/cold and stress.
A daily use of moisturizers can help prevent a breakout. If a breakout does occur, over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams are suggested. A doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid or TIMs, but only in extreme cases.
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