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Eczema: what you should know |
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Itching, flaking and sore skin eczema can be a problem for many people especially when it affects children. First of all people should know that eczema is in no way contagious, often it starts as dry skin but can then progress to a more inflamed uncomfortable condition. The cause of eczema is not yet understood, although the most common is genetic. How to helpBy making small changes in the way your life is lived you can improve your eczema, diet, fabrics, avoiding allergens and irritants and frequent bathing in special emollient can all help the situation.There are also the creams and ointments available from the doctors, if you prefer an alternative course of medication, herbal and complementary therapies have been known to be useful. For further information and advise contact The National Eczema Society, 163 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 1BU, telephone 0171 388 4097. Also available from Mead Johnson Nutritionals is a new information sheet on eczema and diet on 0181 754 3764. |
Types of eczemaThere are eight different types of eczema, atopic is the most common (genetic linked eczema), the rest are listed below:"Allergic contact dermatitis: an allergic reaction which develops through repeated contact with an allergen, such as nickel, perfumes and rubber. Irritant contact dermatitis: eczema caused by frequent contact with detergents and chemicals. Contact dermatitis can be patch tested. Seborrheic eczema: involves flaking, itchy scalp - sometimes spreading to the face, ears and chest. Thought to be triggered by the Pityrosporum yeast. Pompholyx eczema: itchy blisters occur on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, usually as a complication of other forms of eczema. Nummular/discoid eczema: often seen in adults who had atopic eczema in infancy, this condition involves scaly, coin-shaped patches which blister and weep. Light-sensitive eczema: a rare form of eczema triggered by ultraviolet rays. Varicose/gravitational eczema: associated with poor venous circulation, affects those with varicose veins or a previous deep vein thrombosis." Although eczema in not life threatening, for the people who suffer it can make there lives a misery, affecting their sleep, jobs, love lives etc |
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