|
Ask questions ?
Share views !
Share difficulties with your conditions !
Meet people with a similar condition !
Your not alone !
UK
US
Click logo for forums
|
|
|
|
Almost one-fifth of children and 10 per cent of adults have eczema. It can be treated, but correct diagnosis is essential…
What is Eczema?
Eczema covers a range of conditions - from dry, itchy skin to more serious cases where skin is raw, bleeding and infected. It is unsightly and sore and, while not contagious, it's often hereditary. There are several forms of eczema:
Atopic Eczema
This is the most common form of eczema, especially in infants. It is thought that 10-20% of the whole world is affected by atopic eczema as a child. It is linked with other allergy-related diseases such as asthma and hay fever and is thought to be genetic. It's triggered by an allergic reaction to something in the environment such as pets, the droppings of dust mites, or to certain foods or drugs. This sends the immune system into overdrive, resulting in dry, inflamed, itchy skin. If atopic eczema is left untreated, it may become infected.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Some people can't wear silver jewelry and some people can't wear rubber gloves. This is due to allergic contact dermatitis. When someone comes into direct skin contact with a substance that they are allergic to, a rash and irritation can occur. Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by an over sensitive immune system that reacts badly to substances that are usually harmless - metals, perfume etc.
Irritant Contact Eczema
Irritant contact eczema has the same characteristics as allergic contact dermatitis but is caused by the repeated exposure to a substance that is poisonous to humans. Substances that can cause irritation can be everyday, household substances such as washing powder and cleaning products.
Seborrhoeic Eczema
This form of eczema is harmless and is not sore. It is commonly found on the scalp and greasy areas of the face. Babies, in the first year of their life, often have seborrhoeic eczema. However, it usually clears up soon after. Adults can also experience the affects of seborrhoeic eczema, which tends to last for a few years.
Varicose Eczema
This form of eczema tends to affect middle-aged and elderly people. It is commonly associated with varicose veins and is found on the lower legs. Varicose eczema is caused by poor circulation and can be very itchy and speckled in looks.
Discoid eczema
Discoid eczema can be characterised by coin-shaped patches on the arms and legs that can be extremely itchy and irritating. Discoid eczema will appear as a red, scaly patch with a defined edge. This form of eczema usually occurs in elderly people.
What are the Symptoms of Eczema?
The type of symptoms experienced depends greatly on the form of eczema that is apparent. Symptoms can vary in their looks, texture and where they can be found. Below, the symptoms of each form of eczema discussed above are outlined:
Atopic Eczema
- Most commonly found where the skin creases - front of elbow, neck, back of knees etc.
- The skin feels dry to the touch.
- Parts of the skin may become inflamed and red.
- The area concerned becomes itchy.
- Occasionally, blisters will appear on the inflamed skin and become weepy
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
- This can sometimes take a few hours for your skin to react to the allergen.
- The skin will usually be extremely itchy, red and blistered.
- To determine what is causing your rash, try and determine what it is you have come in contact with in the areas affected. For example, if it is a silver necklace that you are allergic to, then it is likely you will have a ring of irritation around your neck.
Irritant Contact Eczema
- Depending on the severity of the occurrence, the skin could merely be slightly red or perhaps be swollen, red and blistery.
- The symptoms are almost instantaneous after coming in contact with the substance.
Seborrhoeic Eczema
- Faint reddish patches on the skin.
- It is possible that the area affected will be covered with yellowy, greasy-looking scales.
Varicose Eczema
- Initial signs of varicose eczema involve a mild itchiness of the skin above the ankles.
- The skin will then become speckled, itchy and inflamed.
- Varicose eczema is associated with varicose veins and is most common in elderly people.
Discoid eczema
- One or more coin-shaped, red patches will appear on the arms and/or legs.
- The patches will have well-defined edges.
- The patches may become very itchy and will perhaps have blisters.
What Causes Eczema?
Eczema is not contagious and therefore cannot be caught off someone near you with eczema. It is thought by researchers that certain types of eczema such as, atopic, are possibly hereditary and if you have it, then other family members are likely to experience it also. The actual cause of most eczema is not yet known. It is thought that an oversensitive immune system could be to blame. Our immune system is designed to fight off possible infections that may enter the body. However, an oversensitive immune system will sometimes mistake a normally harmless substance to be a foreign body. The substances that cause eczema in some people are in fact, not causes at all, but instead, are triggers. Each trigger (for example, silver jewelry, detergents etc), merely encourages an underlying skin problem to evolve.
How can I Treat Eczema?
The exact causes of eczema are not yet known and due to the lack of understanding of the skin disease, there is currently no cure. However, there are a range of treatments available that may help alleviate the symptoms. Below are a few examples:
Topical Treatments (can be applied directly to the skin)
- Hydrocortisone Cream - This cream can be affective as an anti-inflammatory. However, it is not recommended that you use this on a long-term basis as it can cause thin skin, excess body hair and stretch marks.
- Coal Tar - This age-old treatment helps in alleviating inflammation and itching of the skin. However, it can cause sensitivity to the sun and is very messy.
- Topical Immunomodulators - This is a new non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory treatment used on sufferers with eczema. It has been suggested by conducted medical trials that the treatment is 80% affective in clearing-up or significantly improving the symptoms of eczema.
- Emollients - These are moisturisers that re-hydrate the skin and therefore prevent dryness and cracking.
Oral Treatments (can be taken through the mouth)
- Antihistamines - These maybe prescribed to an eczema sufferer by a doctor to help alleviate itching and help with sleep. However, these are not considered to be the best treatment for itching and can make you very drowsy.
- Corticosteroids - These may be prescribed in extreme cases of eczema, where the hydrocortisone cream is not enough. The risk of side-effects is increased and it is not recommended to use this treatment for an extensive amount of time.
- Antibiotics - As eczema causes the skin to be damaged, it increases the chances of catching a bacterial infection. Antibiotics can aide in fighting off the infection.
Before deciding on any treatment method, be sure to understand any possible side-effects that may be associated with it. If you are unsure about anything, seek the opinion of your doctor.
Living with Eczema.
Eczema, unfortunately, is a chronic condition. This means that once you have eczema, you will probably have it for a long time or perhaps life. This doesn't mean to say that the effects of eczema will be constant throughout your life. Eczema is episodic, which means that it will come and go and symptoms may vary each time.
Some of the symptoms that are commonly associated with eczema may get in the way of your every day activities. The itching may prevent you from sleeping and the swelling may disturb chores or work.
Itching and swelling aside, the look of eczema may put you off participating in normal activities. You may feel anxious that people are looking at you in a night club or from just walking down the street. Depending on its severity, some eczema can be unsightly which highlights the importance to try and treat it. The way to decrease your eczema symptoms is to avoid the triggers that are likely to be setting it off. For example, if for work you wear rubber gloves and as a result you experience a rash on your hand, then talk to your boss and ask for an alternative. Sooth your skin and keep it moisturised by using emollients.
Remember, you are not alone. Around 15 million people in America have eczema and around 1.3 million in the UK. If you are concerned about your eczema, talk to someone about it and try not to add stress to your list of concerns. Educate yourself on your condition to reduce any anxiety you may have about it. Read through this health zone again and check out some of the links on the right-hand side to get some more information.
How Can I help?
Researchers, to this day, do not have a full understanding of the causes of eczema. Continued research is constantly being conducted to better the understanding of the condition and to move closer to a cure. There are certain treatments available to the general public that help alleviate some of the symptoms of eczema. Without medical research and medical trials, these treatments would not exist. Medical research allows researchers to monitor the effects and safety of new treatments and eventually, make them available to the general public. Thanks to medical research, millions of people can live more productive and comfortable lives. Although clinical research is the tool for discovering new treatments, the key is the medical trial participants. If you participate in a clinical trial, you could be at the forefront of the discovery of a new treatment or even cure for eczema.
Medical research studies may be conducted and are carefully designed to answer specific medical questions while protecting participants´ safety. Well conducted medical trials are the fastest and safest way to find improved treatments and preventions for diseases. Clinical trials or interventional trials determine whether experimental preventions, treatments, or new ways of using known therapies are safe and effective under controlled conditions. Observational or natural history studies examine health issues and disease development in groups of people or populations. For more information on current medical trials or to register on the BioTrax database, view the study section at www.biotrax.com .
Why not E-Mail this Health Zone News Letter to a friend who may benefit or print copies to give to your support groups or friends? Click on the buttons below.
|
