Understanding Eczema - the Basics

Understanding Eczema - the Basics

What Is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition caused by inflammation. Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of eczema. While the word "dermatitis" means inflammation of the skin, "atopic" refers to an allergic tendency, which is often inherited. These eczema sufferers have a higher risk of developing other allergic conditions (like asthma or hay fever).
Typically, eczema causes skin to become itchy, red, and dry -- even cracked and leathery. Eczema most frequently appears on the face and extremities, but it can show up in other areas, too.
Eczema is a chronic problem for many people. It is most common among infants, many of whom outgrow it before school age.

What Causes Eczema?
Like asthma, eczema seems to run in families. Certain genes make some people have extra-sensitive skin, and certain environmental factors -- like stress -- can trigger an episode of eczema.
Eczema is also caused or worsened by contact with irritants in common substances such as:
woolen and synthetic fabrics
soap and other agents that dry skin
heat and sweat
Eczema can also be worsened by dry skin.
Since eczema may in part be an internal response to stress, any emotionally charged event -- from a move to a new job -- may trigger a flare-up.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition caused by inflammation. Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of eczema. While the word "dermatitis" means inflammation of the skin, "atopic" refers to an allergic tendency, which is often inherited. These eczema sufferers have a higher risk of developing other allergic conditions (like asthma or hay fever).

Typically, eczema causes skin to become itchy, red, and dry -- even cracked and leathery. Eczema most frequently appears on the face and extremities, but it can show up in other areas, too.

Eczema is a chronic problem for many people. It is most common among infants, many of whom outgrow it before school age.

What Causes Eczema?
Like asthma, eczema seems to run in families. Certain genes make some people have extra-sensitive skin, and certain environmental factors -- like stress -- can trigger an episode of eczema.

Eczema is also caused or worsened by contact with irritants in common substances such as:
woolen and synthetic fabrics
soap and other agents that dry skin
heat and sweat

Eczema can also be worsened by dry skin.
Since eczema may in part be an internal response to stress, any emotionally charged event -- from a move to a new job -- may trigger a flare-up.

What Are the Symptoms of Eczema?
Almost always, there's an itch before a rash appears in eczema. Typically, eczema shows itself as:

* Patches of chronically itchy, dry, thickened skin, usually on the hands, neck, face, and legs. In children, the inner creases of the knees and elbows are often involved.

* Scratching can lead to sores with crusts.

Call Your Doctor About Eczema If:
* You develop an otherwise unexplained rash and have a family history of eczema or asthma. You should have a medical diagnosis of the condition.

* The inflammation does not respond within a week to treatment with over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. A physician may suggest more aggressive forms of treatment.

* You develop yellowish to light brown crust or pus-filled blisters over existing patches of eczema. This may indicate a bacterial infection that should be treated with an antibiotic.

* During a flare-up of eczema, you are exposed to anyone with a viral skin disease such as cold sores or genital herpes. Having eczema puts you at increased risk of contracting the viral disorder.

* You develop numerous small, fluid-filled blisters in the areas of eczema. You may have eczema herpeticum, a rare but potentially serious complication caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Eczema Causes
The exact cause of eczema is not known. Although it is activated by the immune system and is related to allergic reactions, it is not the same as other allergic reactions. People with eczema do have the IgE antibodies (immunoglobulin E) produced by the immune system as part of allergic reactions.

* Contact with the external trigger (allergen) causes the skin to become inflamed. The duration of the contact is not important. Eczema can develop on first contact (in days to weeks) or over time with repeated contact (in months to years).

* Common triggers of eczema include the following:

* Soaps
* Detergents
* Weather (hot, cold, humid, or dry)
* Environmental allergens
* Jewelry
* Creams
* Food handling
* Clothing
* Sweating
* Gloves
* Rubbing
* Bacteria
* Emotional or mental stress

* Severe forms of eczema are caused by powerful allergic responses to external agents that cannot be eliminated from the environment.

* Risk factors for eczema include the following:
* People with severe eczema usually also have hay fever and asthma.
* Eczema is probably hereditary and often is found in other family members.
* Eczema is not contagious.

* Risk factors for an eczema flare include the following:
* Illness
* Physical or mental stress
* Exposure to skin irritants