The Department of Dermatology at the CK Birla Hospital offers prevention, detection and treatment of eczema. Our dermatologists are highly experienced in the management of skin conditions. We aim to alleviate your symptoms and treat your eczema to avoid flare-ups.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes your skin to become red and itchy. It is a chronic condition that can affect anyone. However, it is most prevalent in children. The flare-ups or breakout of eczema occur on a periodic basis accompanied by asthma or hay fever.
There are different types of eczema. The type of eczema you have can determine what type of rash you develop and where on your body it occurs.
Eczema symptoms differ from one person to another. Common signs and symptoms include:
The most common symptoms of eczema are itchy, dry, rough, flaky, inflamed and irritated skin. It can flare up, subside and then flare up again.
Eczema can occur anywhere on the body, but it usually affects the arms, inner elbows, back of the knees, cheeks, and scalp. Eczema is not contagious and sometimes it becomes less severe with age.
Other symptoms of eczema include:
Many people find it difficult to sleep at night as the symptoms get worse at night. Scratching eczema further irritates and inflames the skin, which can cause infection.
There are different types of eczema that include the following:
Eczema usually begins before the age of 5 and persists over the years. The cause behind this condition is a variation in genes that makes your skin unable to protect itself from bacteria, irritants and allergens. Eczema can also be triggered by food allergies in some children.
The exact cause of eczema is not clear. However, researchers believe that it is triggered by an overactive immune system. Also, eczema tends to flare when skin is exposed to external irritants, which causes the immune system to overreact.
Additionally, it has also been found that some people with eczema do not have enough of a protein called filaggrin. This protein is responsible for helping the skin stay moisturised and healthy.
Eczema flares up when one or more symptoms of eczema appear on the skin. According to the National Health Service (NHS), research has shown that internal and external factors can contribute to flares of eczema. This mainly includes the following:
Eczema is treated by a dermatologist, allergist or primary care doctor. The doctor helps you identify the correct treatment for eczema. However, the right treatment for you depends on the type and severity of your eczema. The doctor may recommend combining more than one treatment. The treatment options for eczema include medications, therapies and lifestyle changes.
Your dermatologist will diagnose your condition simply by analysing your skin patches and reviewing your symptoms as well as your family history. Since eczema is a chronic condition, its treatment is persistent. Your doctor may prescribe certain medicines to relieve your symptoms. They may also provide certain creams and lotions to control itching and help repair the skin. Other treatment alternatives are sometimes used in combination with medication. These include light therapy and wet dressing.
You should moisturise your skin daily, apply anti-itching cream to the most affected areas, avoid scratching and wear cool clothes.
Asthma, hay fever, skin infections, dermatitis and sleep problems are some common complications of eczema.
You can prevent eczema flareups by taking shorter baths, using gentle soaps, moisturising your skin, and avoiding your triggers.
