Cooling Off Inflammation To Get Rid Of Itchy Skin Rashes

Red itchy rashes are commonly recognized as Eczema (Atopic dermatitis), a long-lasting inflammatory skin disease caused by multifaceted associations between genetics and environmental issues.

Eczema symptoms involve:

--Redness or brownish patches
--Itching
--Swelling
--Thickened, cracked or scaly skin
--Sore, sensitive skin

The precise origin of Eczema remains unspecified, but it has been linked to an increased response by the body's immune system to various triggers. Recent researches have underscored important role of inflammation in Eczema.

Critical Role Of Inflammation In Eczema Outbreak

Based on recent scientific and medical investigations, inflammation promotes to Eczema by:

--Producing irritants and amplifying oxidative stress;
--Pushing premature cell dying and delaying wound healing and skin regeneration;
--Destructing skin barrier and weakening cellular metabolism and protection;
--Escalating allergen dispersion and triggering self-propagating cycles of allergic sensitization;
--Exaggerating immune and auto-immune reactions.

Topical Corticosteroid Treatments For Eczema Relief

To break nasty circle and aggravation of inflammatory responses, control of inflammation and rebuild skin barrier function are the vital steps toward eczema cure.

Topical corticosteroid treatments are often used to restrain inflammation and alleviate skin irritation, itchiness, scaliness and rash. General adverse reactions of corticosteroids include skin thinning (atrophy), loss of pigmentation, sensitive to steroids, and more susceptible to infection.

Additives In Skincare Formulations May Harm Eczema Skin Lesions

Lotions, creams and oils are commonly used to help the skin maintain moisture. These cosmetic products are also routinely used by Eczema patients. Recent researches indicate that additives in these skincare products (e.g., alcohol and preservatives) may exacerbate inflammation and provoke Eczema to break out.

Control Inflammation With Natural Remedies For Eczema Cure

The age old traditional medicine offers alternative therapies to ease inflammation. Many botanical medicinal herbs, used in the traditional medicine for thousands of years, have strong anti-inflammatory properties. These anti-inflammatory plants and herbal remedies have been carefully examined and a large number of valuable publications become available.

Benefits Of Anti-inflammatory Remedies For Eczema Relief

Anti-inflammatory remedies offer many benefits to Eczema by:

--Inhibiting a broad panel of inflammatory mediators rather than a single inflammatory factor, thus a more efficient solution to complex skin conditions.
--Promoting a balanced immune response against allergens, trauma, and infection.
--Helping repair endogenous (i.e., derived internally) antioxidants, the most important disease-fighting molecules in the body.

To learn more about inflammatory skin disorders and how to cool inflammation with natural anti-inflammatory herbs, follow blog series "Nature's Best Anti-inflammatory Herbs" and "Natural Cures For Chronic Inflammatory Conditions".

Dr Yi Shi, founder of Innovative Drug Discovery and 3rSkinCare.com is well established in inflammatory disease research. Dr Shi has accomplished numerous research projects and published over 40 research articles in medical journals. For close to a decade, Dr Shi has led collaborative efforts to develop better anti-inflammatory products and 3R Skin Care System for long-lasting inflammatory skin conditions and eczema cure.

Original article

Itchy Rash on Neck - Eczema or Psoriasis?

Itchy rashes on the neck may develop due to several reasons. They may be caused by an allergic reaction to food or hair dye, an insect bite, sunburn, or even acne. However, it may also be a symptom of skin disorders such as psoriasis or eczema. Millions of people in the United States suffer from these two conditions, which both cause an itchy and uncomfortable rash that does not seem to go away.

Both eczema and psoriasis may cause red, itchy, and scaly skin rashes. Although they are quite similar, their symptoms are usually different enough so your doctor can easily tell them apart even without diagnostic testing. To find out what kind of treatment or medication you need, you have to know the difference between these two conditions.

Eczema - causes and symptoms

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, commonly appears during early childhood or infancy. Irritant contact dermatitis, the most widespread type of eczema, usually develops when your skin becomes inflamed due to exposure to acids, soaps, detergents, and harsh chemicals. On the other hand, allergic contact dermatitis may occur if you have developed sensitivity to a substance such as metal and certain fragrances.

The common symptoms of eczema include red, itchy skin as well as tiny red bumps that feel rough when touched. Burning sensations and pain are also associated to both irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. If you are suffering from the former, you may continue to experience itching and pain until you have discovered the cause and learned how to avoid it.

Psoriasis - causes and symptoms

Psoriasis is different from eczema because it is an inflammatory condition that is related to internal rather than external causes. The small percentage of patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis may also experience widespread pain in the joints. Its common symptoms include visible patches of indented red skin, bleeding or weeping when the scale crust is removed, and a thick coating of silvery scales.

Psoriasis is caused by internal inflammation but it may still be aggravated by external factors. Dyes, perfumes, and extreme heat or cold are only some of the factors that may worsen its symptoms. Constant scratching of the inflamed areas may also stimulate the growth of the silvery scales on the rash and make things much worse for the sufferer.

Now that you already know the difference between psoriasis and eczema, it will be easier for you to determine what type of treatment you need. The next time you experience itchy rashes on your neck, hands, or feet, you have to diagnose your condition before resorting to medicated baths, topical creams, or UV light treatments.

To find out more about skin conditions that cause skin rashes and itchy red bumps on skin, read this article on eczema vs psoriasis, and on itchy rash on neck.

Original article

Eczema And Infants: An Itchy Problem

Eczema is a dermatological disorder, which means it affects the skin. It can cause redness, inflammation, red blotches plus general irritation and often creates a massive urge to scratch the afflicted area. Eczema in infants is quite common; doctors have identified children as being prone to the condition of atopic dermatitis. The condition can flare up as a result of environmental conditions such as heat and humidity, allergic reactions are also a factor in dermatitis appearing.

The most commonly affected areas of the body are the elbows, inner folds of joints and behind the knee. The symptoms can vary from being slight; to the extent that they are barely noticeable, to more severe, with massive patches of affected skin. Eczema can be very painful; fortunately there are a number of ways in which it can be treated. This article will discuss both the natural and conventional treatment methods which have been proven to be effective.

A quick internet search will provide a number of home remedies which claim to be effective in the treatment of dermatitis. The common themes however are good diet, exposure to sunlight and the use of creams containing natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Chamomile. Eczema is considered by some to be caused by the body's immune system's over reaction to a bacteria found on the skin. Exposure to sunlight can help with this for some, though others find it too drying.

Some say that sunlight helps because it helps the body produce certain vitamins that can combat the skin irritation. It is important to remember to use sunlight in proportion. You should not expose yourself to the sun between 11am - 2pm, as the sunlight will be at its strongest and you may run the risk of being burnt. You should use sunscreen when out in the sun, generally one hour is long enough for your body to start to produce the vitamins you need. Moisturizing is very important for dermatitis, whether you are in the sun or not. Moisturizing with a lotion that doesn't contain alcohol has been helpful for improvements. Omega 3 oils are another natural remedy for skin repair.

The most common medical treatments for infant eczema are hydrocortisone creams and stronger steroid creams. Steroid cream may be required for more severe symptoms and is known to provide fast acting relief. You should always consult a physician before treating any dermatitis in infants at home. Oral steroids are not generally given to very young children, though they may be prescribed for adults.

Original article