Eczema

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:

• Skin dryness
• Severe itching, especially at night
• Red coloured patches on the skin
• Small, raised bumps
• Scaly and thick skin
• Sensitive and swollen skin from scratching
• Intense itching
• Red or brownish-grey patches
• Small, raised bumps filled with pus
• Crusty patches of dried yellowish ooze, which can indicate infection
• Thickened and scaly skin
• Sore or raw-feeling skin

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.

Types of eczema

There are different types of eczema that include the following:

• Atopic dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis
• Dyshidrotic dermatitis
• Nummular dermatitis
• Stasis dermatitis

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:

• Scented products
• Cigarette smoking
• Synthetic fabrics
• Rough scratchy material, like wool
• External allergens such as pollens, dust, mold or dust mites
• Chemical or preservatives found in cleansers and detergents
• Sweating, stress or temperature changes
• Food allergies
• Animal dander
• Upper respiratory infections

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.