Eczema Overview

Eczema is often referred to as inflammation of the epidermis, though broadly the term applies to a range of persistent skin conditions. Itching and dryness, blistering and cracking of the skin form a part of eczema. Eczema is common in infants and one out of five infants is known to suffer from some symptoms of the disease. Some children tend to carry the symptoms of eczema in adulthood also. Community, region and ethnicity is of little concern in eczema and it is found in people all across the globe.

Eczema causes red inflamed patches on the skin that are accompanied by intense itching. Eczema is not known to cause any major health problem though it affects the social and emotional development of a person. Eczema has outer physical manifestations and rashes appear on the infected region. Intense itching on the affected region is a clear sign of the presence of eczema.

Excessive skin dryness has been identified as the major cause of eczema. Skin dryness occurs due to lack of certain skin proteins. Certain substances as soaps, detergents or jewelry are also responsible for trigerring eczema. Psychological stress has also been found to be responsible for initiation of eczema in some people.

Intense itching is the first sign of eczema. Red and bumpy rashes that make their appearance after itching add to the woes of the person suffering from eczema. In case you are suffering from the condition, identify the prime symptoms that trigger it. This can be an allergy to certain soaps and shampoos. Avoid using soaps and detergents that trigger skin dryness which can lead to eczema.

One needs to seek medical care in case of eczema. A doctor will be able to identify the cause of eczema and suggest remedial solutions. Scale sample from rashes are examined microscopically to look for any potential fungus that might have caused eczema to get aggravated.

Steroid creams and antihistamine medications are usually recommended by the medical practitioner as a first line of defense to cure eczema. In case high potency steroid creams do not work, the doctor usually recommends alternate treatments. These include use of coal tar and chemotherapeutic agents. A range of alternative therapies are also available for eczema. These include use of sea water for curing eczema. Sea water is known to have antiseptic properties that offer cure for skin complications.

Bathing in sulfur springs is also known to cure a person of their skin allergies including eczema. Chiropractic spinal manipulation and acupuncture treatments are also known to relieve a person from eczema. The duration of the treatment depends on the level of infection and generally it takes two to four months for a person to get rid of any complications arising from this condition. Eczema is a minor health complication, though the patient might feel alienated from others due to skin discoloration and persistent itching problems. Support from family and friends is vital in curing this disease and help a person get back on track.