Anti Aging Skin Care » How to Take Care of Eczema

How to Take Care of Eczema

A type of dermatitis or inflammation of the upper surface of the skin is called eczema. The term eczema is broadly applied to a variety of persistent or recurring skin rashes characterized by redness, itching and dryness with possible crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration sometimes characterize healed wound though scarring is an exceptional.

The most common types of eczemas are:

• Atopic eczema : It is thought to be inherited and often runs in families whose members also suffer from hay fever and asthma. Itchy rash is mostly visible on face and scalp, inner side of elbows, behind knees and buttocks.
• Contact dermatitis : Experts are advising doctors to be more cautious in weeding out cases that are in reality irritant contact dermatitis. It is very common in developed countries and increasing. This is of two types : allergic which results from a delayed reaction to some allergen such as poison ivy or nickel and irritant, which result from, direct reaction to say a solvent. Some substances act both as allergen and as irritant for example wet cement. Moreover, some substances cause a problem after exposure to sunlight, which cause phototoxic dermatitis. About three fourths of contact eczema is of the irritant type, which is the most common occupational skin disease. Contact eczema can be cured by avoiding the offending substance and its traces removed from one’s environment.
• Xerotic eczema : The dry skin becomes so severe it turns into eczema. It deteriorates in dry winter weather. Of the whole body, limbs and trunk are most frequently affected. The itchy tender skin resembles dry cracked skin .This disorder is very common among the older population. Ichthyosis is a related disorder.
• Seborrhoeic dermatitis : This is also known as cradle cap in infants. Dry or greasy scaling of the scalp and eyebrows is caused due to dandruff. Scaly pimples and red patches occasionally appear in various adjacent places. In newborns, it causes a thick yellow crusty scalp rash called cradle cap, which seems related to lack of biotin and is often curable.

Eczema analysis is generally based on the appearance of inflamed, itchy skin in eczema sensitive areas such as face, chest and other skin crease areas. Dermatologist is likely to determine a number of other things before making a judgment.

Dermatitis severely dries out the skin. Keeping the affected area moistened can encourage healing and maintain natural moisture. This is the most significant self-care treatment, which one can use in atopic eczema.

Discontinue the use of normal soaps, dish soaps, detergents and bubble baths that may dry out the skin as they remove the natural oils from the skin.

The moistening agents are called 'emollients'. Match the thicker ointments to the driest flakiest skin. Light emollients like Aqueous Cream might dry the skin if it is very flaky.

In the bath water, add emollient bath oils and then appropriate agents must be applied after patting the skin dry. Generally, daily applications of emollients twice a day works best .The creams are easy to apply, as they are quickly absorbed into the skin and thus needs frequent re-application.

Ointments with their slighter water content stay on the skin for longer, therefore they need fewer applications but they must be applied sparingly to avoid a sticky mess.

Discuss with a professional for the latest treatment options available if you or someone you know suffers from eczema.