Health Information
Eczema and Dermatitis
Eczema & Dermatitis
What is eczema?
Eczema is a general term used for many types of inflammatory skin conditions, also known as dermatitis. It is extremely common skin condition affecting one in three Australasians at some stage throughout their lives. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease characterised by itchy, inflamed skin.
The appearance of eczema varies from person to person and varies according to the specific type of eczema. Intense itching is generally the first symptom in most people with eczema. Sometimes, eczema may lead to blisters and oozing lesions. It can also result in dry and scaly skin.
Eczema is a chronic dermatitis that may be inherited and often occurs in people with a family history of eczema, asthma or hay fever. It usually begins in early childhood and often disappears by the teenage years. Eczema is slightly more common in girls than in boys. The area of skin affected can vary with age, but it frequently affects the face, elbows, wrists, knees and ankles. In infants, eczema typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp and neck.
What causes eczema?
The exact cause of eczema is not known, but a skin defect together with an immune system abnormality can impair the skins function to work as a barrier and is believed to be a possible cause. Many things can trigger a flare-up of eczema, including emotional stress, allergies, changes in temperature or humidity, skin infection and contact with irritating chemicals and fabrics. Heat is a also common trigger for eczema.
How to treat eczema
The goals for the treatment of eczema are to prevent itching, inflammation, and worsening of the condition. Treatment of eczema may involve both lifestyle changes and use of medications. Treatment is always based upon an individual's age, overall health status, and the type and severity of the condition. Corticosteroid creams are prescribed to decrease the inflammatory reaction in the skin. These may be mild-, medium-, or high-potency corticosteroid creams depending upon the severity of the symptoms. If itching is severe, oral antihistamines may be helpful. To control itching, the older generation antihistamine drugs with sedative effects appear to be most effective. These antihistamines are not recommended to children under 2 years unless prescribed by the doctor.
In some cases, a short course of oral corticosteroids (such as prednisone) is prescribed to control an acute outbreak of eczema, although their long-term use is discouraged in the treatment of this non life-threatening condition because of potentially harmful side effects.
Eczema is often made worse by dry skin. Hence, moisturizing the skin is very important in not only the prevention of eczema but also in the treatment of symptoms as it may help to relieve itching, prevent drying and cracking, and restore the skin’s protective function.
How can eczema flare ups be prevented?
The symptoms of eczema can be prevented by some measures which include:
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Avoidance of over-bathing
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Bathing in warm but not hot water and using a soap-free or oatmeal based wash
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Applying moisturiser frequently, especially after bathing
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Limiting or avoiding contact with known irritants like soaps, perfumes, detergents, chemicals, jewellery, abrasive materials, environmental irritants, etc.
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Avoid cats, dogs and other animals if the dermatitis worsens on contact with them.
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Wearing loose-fitting clothing (cotton clothing may be less irritating for many people compared to wool or synthetic fibers)
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The use of cool compresses to help control itching, or cover itchy skin with a dressing if necessary
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Exercise, meditation, or other stress management techniques can help those for whom stress is a trigger
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Wearing protective gloves for activities that require frequent submersion of the hands in water
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When possible, avoid abrupt changes in temperature and activities that make you hot and sweaty
It is important that eczema sufferers learn the triggers that cause and exacerbate their condition and find ways to avoid them.
