Eczema, also known as Atopic dermatitis, can be defined as an inflammation (reddening and swelling) of the skin that shows its prime feature, the itching. The severity of the condition, however, may vary. In milder condition, the skin becomes dry, hot and itchy, whereas, in more severe conditions, the skin becomes broken, raw and might bleed.

In only UK , up to 1/5 th of all children of school age suffer from eczema, along with about one out of twelve of the adults’ population. The commonest type of eczema is Atopic dermatitis and as said before, it is an allergic condition making the skin dry and itchy. The condition is more commonly seen or observed in babies and children. Factors that can cause eczema are varying including due to some other conditions, irritating substances (irritants), allergies (allergens) and after all, the genetic makeup.

Some of the people having eczema scratch their skin too much that it turns almost leathery in texture. Others discover that their skins have become extremely dry and scaly. Eczema permanently gets solved by the age of 3 in about 50 per cent of infected infants. In others, the condition inclines to recur throughout life. Most affected individuals have their very first symptom before the age of five years.

Few facts about eczema

Eczema is not communicable disease and it can affect people of any age, although the condition is most commonly found in infants. About 1-2% of adults suffer from eczema, and as many as 20% of children are suffering. Eczema can appear on just about any site of the body; nevertheless, in infants, eczema ideally occurs on the forehead, cheek, forearm, leg, scalp, and/or neck. Sometimes the itching starts before the rashes appear, but when it does the rash generally appears onto the face, knees, hands or feet.

This might also affect other areas as well other than described ones. The toilet bars or soaps remove dirt but also remove natural oil from the skin and thus they make the skin dry, irritated and itchy. It is therefore, on should not try to scratch the irritated areas onto the skin even if they itch.

The remedy for eczema

The remedy of weeping lesions involves soothing moisturizers, using herbal soaps, or wet dressing. Moisturizing gloves are to be worn during sleeping. Emollient bath oils are to be added to bathwater and then appropriate agents can be applied after patting the skin dry.

Chronic thickened areas might be treated with some lotions or creams containing tar compounds, corticosteroids (medium to very high in strength), and ingredients those are well-known for lubricating or softening the skin. Mild anti-itch solutions or topical corticosteroids (low strength) might soothe less severe or healing areas, or drier scaly lesions. Systemic corticosteroids might be prescribed for reducing the inflammation in some severe conditions.

The light therapy using UV light may help controlling eczema. UVA is mostly looked after; but UVB and Narrow Band UVB are also in use. However, UltraViolet rays exposure carry their own risks, particularly inducing skin cancer from its heavy or intense exposures.

In some homemade remedies, tea-tree oil in a gel or diluted form has shown favorable results since it is natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent. This is helpful in calming down swelling and local irritation. Non-conventional medical approaches include traditional herbal medicines and/or herbs such as Neem, Garcinia, Turmeric, Ginger, Eclipta, Boswellia, Butea, Rubia and many more.

Eczema tips

Emollients are essential for reducing water loss from the skin and also to prevent the dryness normally linked with eczema.

Avoid substances that stress the skin. Avoid using chemically made cosmetics.

Dietary restrictions and chemical skin-drying components can also be offered, but their success is still to be established.

One can use lukewarm water with mild soaps or non-soap cleansers during the bathing.

One should give up using scented soaps.

Go for some application of cool packs/compresses onto the irritated areas, especially when suffer is child. This eases itching.

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