Eczema Information
A Primer On Eczema
By Charlene J. Nuble
Eczema is one of the very rampant skin diseases that affect
people all over the world who are allergic to certain skin
allergens.
Eczema occurs with some other atopic or skin diseases, whose
exact infected locations can not be really traced. Some of these
diseases include asthma, hay fever and conjunctivitis.
Eczema is often chronic and symptoms and manifestations can
further and continually develop, continue to exist or disappear
over some period of time. When you say chronic, it means the
disease is treatable but not curable.
There are several forms of treatment or medications for eczema.
Treatments like ointments and other forms are generally used to
ease or relieve the itchiness caused by eczema. These are also
used to reduce or diminish the affected area in the skin.
Eczema is often mistaken for psoriasis, which is another chronic
another skin disease.
Eczema shows up or affects infants whose ages may range from one
month to six months. In the united States alone, 60% of people
diagnosed with eczema have had experienced their first onset of
the skin disease when they were just a year old.
About 90% of eczema infected patients in third world countries
got the skin disease when they were about 5 years old and below.
There are cases of eczema onset during adolescent years but they
are very uncommon and rare.
Symptoms of eczema
Be aware that manifestation or symptoms of this itchy and
uncomfortable skin disease vary with age.
Overall, eczema is characterized by the presence of lesions
which occur or can be found in different areas of the body,
depending on age.
For example, an infant has eczema if he has lesions in the
extensor surfaces, the face or in the trunk. For young children,
they are found in ankles and wrists. In adults, these lesions
may be found in the upper chest, in the neck, in the face and in
the genitals or sex organs.
Eczema in infants and children show up through rashes occurring
during warmer weather. These rashes will surely worsen with the
climate change from warm to winter or colder climate.
Skin areas infected with eczema also are characterized by
unusual and unaesthetic skin drying.
Treating eczema
Modern medicine believes that eczema may be worsened or
complicated by stress or emotional and psychological anxieties.
The dryness in the infected area in the skin can be practically
reduced by avoiding and preventing further contact with the
allergen that may have caused or triggered eczema.
Also, moisturizers are available and easily accessible in local
drug stores and retail chains. But remember, it is important to
seek a doctor's or a dermatologist's prescription and
consultation first. Self-treatment or self-prescription should
be avoided for it may only worsen the skin disease.
Use of strong and harsh soaps must also be reduced to help
prevent further drying of the skin. Most soaps today have
chemicals that wash away and put out the natural oil produced by
the skin. These natural oils contain substances that will help
prevent skin drying.
Eczema Prevention
Of course, just like other skin diseases, the most basic and
general prevention is hygiene.
Avoid skin contact with allergens like skin irritating
chemicals, solvents and clothes. As much as possible, also avoid
too much exposure to extreme climates like very high or very low
temperatures.
It can be hard to explain but emotional stress can also be a
factor causing eczema so as much as possible avoid it, as well
as exposure to excessive or little tobacco smoke.
About the author:
Charlene J. Nuble. For answers to All your frequently asked
questions about eczema, please go to: eczema.allergyanswers.ne
t or go to: allergyanswers.net/
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