Rick was exhausted. Increased stress at school, home, and work
had made him extremely tired. It also made his skin act up. Not
again, he thought - not another eczema flare-up!
Eczema is a common skin problem. If you have eczema or think you
might have it, here's how to deal with it.
Some Skin Facts
Your skin, which protects your organs, muscles, and bones and
regulates your body temperature, can run into plenty of trouble.
Acne occurs when your pores become clogged. But zits aren't the
only skin problem you may encounter. Have you ever tried a new type
of soap and developed an itchy rash? That reaction may just be
eczema in action.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema
(pronounced:
ek
-zeh-ma) is a group of skin conditions that cause
skin to become red, irritated, itchy, and sometimes
develop small, fluid-filled bumps that become moist and ooze.
There are many forms of eczema, but
atopic
(pronounced: ay
-tah-
pik)
eczema
is one of the most common and severe. Doctors don't know
exactly what causes atopic eczema, also called
atopic dermatitis
(pronounced: der-muh-
tie
-tis), but they think it could be a difference in the way a
person's immune system reacts to things. Skin allergies may be
involved in some forms of eczema.
If you have eczema, you're probably not the only person you
know who has it. Eczema isn't contagious like a cold, but most
people with eczema have family members with the condition.
Researchers think it's inherited or passed through the genes.
In general, eczema is fairly common - approximately 1 in 10 people
in the world will be affected by it at some point in their
lives.
People with eczema also may have asthma and certain allergies,
such as hay fever. For some, food allergies (such as allergies to
cow's milk, soy, eggs, fish, or wheat) may bring on or worsen
eczema. Allergies to animal dander, rough fabrics, and dust may
also trigger the condition in some people.
Signs and Symptoms
It can be difficult to avoid all the triggers, or irritants,
that may cause or worsen eczema flare-ups. In many people, the
itchy patches of eczema usually appear where the elbow bends; on
the backs of the knees, ankles, and wrists; and on the face, neck,
and upper chest - although any part of the body can be
affected.
In an eczema flare-up, skin may feel hot and itchy at first.
Then, if the person scratches, the skin may become red, inflamed,
or blistered. Some people who have eczema scratch their skin so
much it becomes almost leathery in texture. Others find that their
skin becomes extremely dry and scaly. Even though many people have
eczema, the symptoms can vary quite a bit from person to
person.
What Do Doctors Do?
If you think you have eczema, your best bet is to visit your
doctor, who may refer you to a dermatologist (a doctor who
specializes in treating skin). Diagnosing atopic eczema can be
difficult because it may be confused with other skin conditions.
For example, eczema can easily be confused with a skin condition
called
contact dermatitis
, which happens when the skin comes in contact with an irritating
substance like the perfume in a certain detergent.
In addition to a
physical examination
, a doctor will take your
medical history
by asking about any concerns and symptoms you have, your past
health, your family's health, any medications you're
taking, any allergies you may have, and other issues. Your doctor
can also help identify things in your environment that may be
contributing to your skin irritation. For example, if you started
using a new shower gel or body lotion before the symptoms appeared,
mention this to your doctor because a substance in the cream or
lotion might be irritating your skin.
Emotional stress can also lead to eczema flare-ups, so your
doctor might also ask you about any stress you're feeling
at home, school, or work.
If you're diagnosed with eczema, your doctor might:
- prescribe medications to soothe the redness and irritation,
such as creams or ointments that contain corticosteroids, or
antihistamine pills
- recommend other medications to take internally if the eczema
is really bad or you get it a lot
For some people with severe eczema, ultraviolet light therapy
can help clear up the condition. Newer medications that change the
way the skin's immune system reacts may also help.
If eczema doesn't respond to normal treatment, your doctor
may do allergy testing to see if something else is triggering the
condition, especially if you have asthma or seasonal allergies.
If you're tested for food allergies, you may be given
certain foods (such as eggs, milk, soy, or nuts) and observed to
see if the food causes an eczema flare-up. Food allergy testing can
also be done by pricking the skin with an extract of the food
substance and observing the reaction. But sometimes allergy testing
can be misleading because someone may have an allergic reaction to
a food that is not responsible for the eczema flare-up.
If you're tested for allergy to dyes or fragrances, a patch
of the substance will be placed against the skin and you'll be
monitored to see if skin irritation develops.
Can I Prevent Eczema?
Eczema can't be cured, but there are plenty of things you
can do to prevent a flare-up. For facial eczema, wash gently with a
nondrying facial cleanser or soap substitute, use a facial
moisturizer that says noncomedogenic/oil-free, and apply only
hypoallergenic makeup and sunscreens.
In addition, these tips may help:
-
Avoid substances that stress your skin.
Besides your known triggers, some things you may want to avoid
include household cleaners, drying soaps, detergents, and
fragranced lotions.
-
H
2
0 is a no-no.
Too much exposure to water can dry out your skin, so take
short warm - not hot - showers and baths and wear gloves if your
hands will be in water for long periods of time. Be sure to
gently and thoroughly pat your skin dry, as rubbing with a coarse
towel will irritate the eczema. Also, it isn't the water that
causes your skin to react; it's the water evaporating if not
dried soon enough.
-
Say yes to cotton.
Clothes made of scratchy fabric like wool can irritate your skin.
Cotton clothes are a better bet.
-
Moisturize!
A fragrance-free moisturizer such as petroleum jelly will prevent
your skin from becoming irritated and cracked.
-
Don't scratch that itch.
Even though it's difficult to resist, scratching your itch
can worsen eczema and make it more difficult for the skin to heal
because you can break the skin and bacteria can get in, causing
an infection.
-
Keep your cool.
Sudden changes in temperature, sweating, and becoming overheated
may cause your eczema to kick in.
-
Take your meds.
Follow your doctor's or dermatologist's directions and
take your medication as directed.
-
Unwind.
Stress can aggravate eczema, so try to relax.
Dealing With Eczema
There's good news if you have eczema - it usually clears up
before the age of 25. Until then, you can learn to tune in to
what triggers eczema and manage the condition. For example, if you
have eczema and can't wear certain types of makeup, find brands
that are free of fragrances and dyes. Your dermatologist may be
able to recommend some brands that are less likely to irritate your
skin.
Your self-esteem doesn't have to suffer just because you
have eczema, and neither does your social life! Getting involved in
your school and extracurricular activities can be a great way to
get your mind off the itch. If certain activities aggravate your
eczema, such as swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool, suggest
activities to your friends that won't harm your skin.
Even if sweat tends to aggravate your skin, it's still a
good idea to exercise. Exercise is a great way to blow off stress -
just try walking, bike riding, or another sport that keeps your
skin cool and dry while you work out.
Reviewed by:
Patrice Hyde, MD
Date reviewed: August 2006
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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