Causes of Eczema
The exact cause of Eczema is still unclear and it is said the main cause can be related to over reactive immune system. Eczema is a skin disorder and an inflammation that may be caused by different factors, such as, environment, diet or lifestyle. The skin can become itchy and when scratched it becomes red and very uncomfortable. As the eczema grows, the skin becomes scaly, thick, and drier, making it more likely to be irritated and harder to treat. Eczema is more difficult to manage in children because scratching and rubbing is difficult to control, especially at night while they try to sleep. Eczema is also mainly common in infants.
Some forms of eczema can be triggered by substances that come in contact with the skin, such as cosmetics, detergents, jewelry, or types of cloths. Environmental allergens may also cause eczema. Psychological stress, can lead to outbreaks of eczema in some people.
There are different types of Eczema, such as:
- Atopic eczema is an allergic disease believed to have a hereditary component often running in families whose members also have asthma. An itchy rash is most noticeable on head and scalp, neck, inside of elbows, behind knees, and buttocks.
- Contact dermatitis is of two types: allergic (resulting from a delayed reaction to some allergen, such as poison ivy or nickel), and irritant (resulting from direct reaction to a detergent, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, for example).
- Xerotic eczema is dry skin that becomes eczema because of its severity. It is accelerated in dry winter weather, usually affecting the limbs and trunk. The itchy, tender skin resembles dry, cracked land. This disorder is very common among older people.
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis or Seborrheic dermatitis ("cradle cap" in infants) is a condition sometimes closely related to dandruff. It causes dry or greasy peeling of the scalp, eyebrows, and face, and sometimes trunk. The condition is relatively harmless except in severe cases of cradle cap. In newborns it causes a thick, yellow crusty scalp rash called cradle cap, which seems related to lack of biotin and is often curable.
Treatments for Eczema
There are many treatments for eczema; however, there is no cure. Common prescription treatments have been used for years to help reduce the symptoms of eczema. A combination of medication and lifestyle changes are recommended.
Some doctors may prescribe Antibiotics. If a skin infection is present, antibiotics may be prescribed before starting other treatments. Doctors may also prescribe or recommend antihistamines to help reduce itching. Antihistamines may cause drowsiness, which may help those with eczema to sleep, but should be avoided during work and school hours.
Keeping the skin well hydrated using creams and ointments can help reduce the condition.
Research also demonstrates that changes in diet, especially the avoiding dairy products, can reduce the effects of Eczema.
Some types of ingredients can trigger eczema reactions in susceptible individuals; avoidance of these elements in food types has similarly been shown to improve the eczema. Triggers included food additives, histamine, salicylates, benzoates, processed sugar, and other compounds (such as aromatic compounds) found in fruits, vegetables, and spices. These reactions do not represent true food allergies but are instead a type of food sensitivity reaction.
We welcome you to sign up to our free newsletter on http://www.currenthealthissues.org/
The website looks at specific health issues or current health topics.
Please feel free to add a comment to the article and let us know your thoughts and whether you have found it useful?
You can find related blog post relating to this article on:
http://www.currenthealthissues.org/index.php/2012/01/what-causes-eczema/
No comments:
Post a Comment