We often use the term eczema to refer to a topic dermatitis, the most prevalent form of the disease. The word atopic means several immune system conditions, including hay fever, asthma, and atopic dermatitis. Dermatitis refers to skin inflammation. Therefore, you can say eczema is a skin inflammation resulting from immune system conditions. You may want to seek help from a dermatologist because while some victims outgrow the condition, others continue having it all through adulthood.
Quick Eczema Facts
The article is going to explain what eczema is, along with discussing its symptoms and causes. For starters, we are going to give some key points on the condition.
- Some foods like nuts and dairy products can trigger their symptoms
- The symptoms of eczema vary depending on the victim’s age, although they often include itchy and scaly patches on the skin
- Smoke and pollen among other environmental factors can trigger eczema
- Eczema is not curable, but you can manage the symptoms
- The condition is not contagious
- Treatment gravitates on alleviating symptoms and healing skin that is damaged
What Are The Symptoms of Eczema?
Atopic dermatitis has varied symptoms according to the age of the patient. The condition often occurs among infants by showing itchy, dry, and scaly patches on the skin. Most victims begin showing eczema symptoms before the age of five. The condition sustains in adulthood for nearly half of those whose eczema develops in childhood. However, the signs at adulthood are different from those that kids experience.
Victims experience periods with flare-up symptoms and times when the signs will improve or disappear.
Symptoms in Children below 2 Years
- Rashes on the scalp and cheeks
- Rashes that bubble up and leak fluid
- Extremely itchy rashes that interfere with sleeping
- Continuous scratching leads to skin infections
Symptoms Between 2 Years And Puberty
- Outbreaks commonly showing on the elbows and knees
- Rashes on the wrists, ankles, neck, and between the legs and buttocks
The following symptoms can occur over time:
- Bumpy rashes
- Lightening or darkening rashes
- Lichenification or thickening of skin patches
Symptoms in Adulthood
- Outbreaks often come on the neck’s nape, elbow, or knee creases
- Rashes covering almost the whole body
- Prominent rashes on the face, neck, and around the eyes
- Dry skin resulting from rashes
- Permanently itchy rashes
- Skin infections
Adults who no longer experience their childhood atopic dermatitis may still have hand eczema, easily irritated or dry skin, and eye problems.
Skin appearance in atopic dermatitis depends on the level of scratching and the presence of skin infections. Rubbing and scratching often worsen itchiness, increases inflammation, and irritates the skin.
What is the cause of eczema?
While eczema’s specific cause is unknown, it can result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. The non-contagious skin condition is likely to develop in a child whose parent has a similar history or a different atopic infection. The risk is higher where both parents have a positive diagnosis of atopic disease. Researchers believe that certain environmental factors can trigger the symptoms of eczema, including;
- Allergens: They include pests, mold, dust mites, and dandruff.
- Hot and cold temperatures: Weather that is very cold or hot plus low and high humidity can bring out atopic dermatitis. Also, sweat from exercise can catalyze the symptoms to show up.
- Stress: While stress isn’t a direct eczema cause, it can worsen the symptoms
- Irritants: They include detergents, disinfectants, soaps, shampoos, and juice from vegetables, meats, or fresh fruits.
- Microbes: They include viruses, some fungi, and bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus.
- Foods: Certain foods such as eggs, soy products, nuts and seeds, and wheat can trigger eczema flare-ups.
- Hormones: Some women experience increased symptoms during hormonal changes, like in the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.
The Wrap Up
One of the best things you can do to prevent itching is avoiding the causative factors. Itching is a dangerous practice for eczema patients as it can lead to infections. Most doctors will recommend creams and lotion to keep the skin moist because the disease makes it dry and itchy. However, seeing a competent dermatologist is the best approach to effective eczema treatment.