Eczema

What Is Eczema

Eczema is a chronic inflammation of the outer layers of the skin. It is most common in infants and children. It can occur in adults. This condition is not contagious. Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis.

What Causes Eczema

The exact cause of eczema is unknown. Factors that may contribute to eczema include:

Genetics
Environment
Allergic Rhinitis -may include allergies to things that touch the skin (such as wool or perfumes in soaps), allergies to dust mites (very common), or allergies to foods
Stress, especially if it leads to scratching
Frequent washing of affected areas
Use of rubber gloves in persons sensitive to latex
Scratching or rubbing of skin

Risk Factors For Eczema

Factors that increase your chance of eczema:

Age: five years old or younger (eczema becomes less common after the ages of 5-10)
Asthma-Adult or Allergic Rhinitis
Urban areas or places with low humidity
Relatives who have eczema or allergic disorders
Race: Black or Asian

Diagnosing Eczema

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You may be referred to specialist. A dermatologist focuses on skin disorders. An allergist focuses on allergies.

Symptoms of Eczema

The symptoms vary from person to person. Scratching and rubbing can cause or worsen some of the symptoms. Symptoms include:

Dry, itchy skin
Cracks behind the ears or in other skin creases
Rashes on the cheeks, arms, and legs
Red, scaly skin
Thick, leathery skin
Small, raised bumps on the skin
Crusting, oozing, cracking, or scaling of the skin
Worsening in the winter, when inside air is dry due to central heating

Prevention

It is difficult to prevent eczema. This is most true when there is a strong family history.

You may be able to reduce your child’s risk of eczema by:

Breastfeeding
Exposing your child to pets at an early age

If you already have eczema, there are several things you can do to try to control it:

Follow guidelines to limit house dust mites in bedding.
Avoid direct contact with wool to the skin.
Talk to your doctor about any natural or herbal treatments. Some of these may make eczema worse.
Avoid scratching or rubbing when possible.
Follow your treatment plan. Improvement may take several weeks or even months after a new medicine is started.
Maintain a cool stable environment. Keep consistent humidity levels.
Recognize and limit emotional stress.

Medication And Treatment

The main goals of eczema treatment are to:

Heal the skin and keep it healthy
Stop scratching or rubbing
Avoid skin infection
Prevent flare-ups
Recognize and avoid precipitating allergens, if there are any
Learn to avoid scratching

Treatment options may vary. Your doctor may recommend more than one depending on your condition. They include:

Skin Care

Avoid hot or long baths or showers. Keep them less than 15 minutes.
Use mild, unscented bar soap or nonsoap cleanser. Use it sparingly.
Air-dry or gently pat dry after bathing. Apply gentle moisturizer right after.
Treat skin infections right away.

Medications

Prescription creams and ointments containing cortisone, tacrolimus, or pimecrolimus
Oral medications (eg, prednisone or cyclosporine )-for severe cases
Antibiotics applied directly to the skin or taken by mouth (only for treating infections)
Prescription or over-the-counter antihistamines to help prevent itching