Emollients And Fire Safety
Lotions, creams or ointments used to moisturise your childs skin are also known as emollients.
Emollients are very effective at treating chronic dry skin conditions, such as eczema.
But it is important to be aware of the fire risk linked with them.
Emollients wont cause a fire on their own. But if there is a build-up of emollient residue on clothing and bedding, this can quicken the speed of a fire.
Do not smoke near your baby or allow them near naked flames:
- while they are wearing emollient
- if they are wearing clothes or bandages that may have emollient on them
There is a fire risk with all paraffin-containing emollients. There may also even be a fire risk with paraffin-free emollients. There might also be a fire risk with other products that you put on skin over large body areas for more than a few days.
Washing clothing or fabric at a high temperature may reduce emollient build-up. But it might not totally remove it.
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Of Atopic Dermatitis Or 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 .
Eczema is a chronic problem for many people. It is most common among infants, many of whom outgrow it before school age.
Eczema Symptoms & Signs
Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin that is very common. There are different types of eczema, including atopic dermatitis, contact eczema, neurodermatitis, allergic contact eczema, and others.
Symptoms, signs, and severity can depend upon the exact type of eczema that is present. The location of the skin inflammation also varies according to the type and cause of eczema. Signs and symptoms associated with eczema include patches of chronically itchy, dry, thickened skin, usually on the hands, neck, face, and legs, inner creases of the knees and elbows. If the irritated areas are scratched, dry patches of skin and open sores with crusts may develop and may become infected.
Almost all patients with eczema complain of itching. Since the appearance of most types of eczema is similar, elevated plaques of red, bumpy skin, the distribution of the eruption can be of great help in distinguishing one type from another. For example, stasis dermatitis occurs most often on the lower leg while atopic dermatitis occurs in the front of the elbow and behind the knee.
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Creams To Treat Eczema On A Body Part
The more popular route of treatment is topical. You cant technically cure the condition so the best course of action is to reduce or eliminate outbreaks of rash. Here is a sampling of creams to treat eczema that can be directly applied on a body part:
Corticosteroid. Again this steroid treatment is a magic solution. It is available to buy in creams, ointments, foams, and gels. Lower strength dosage is available over-the-counter while higher strength products require a prescription. Doctors typical start with these spreadable things first before evolving into more aggressive tactics.
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Anti-inflammatory pain relievers. NSAIDs are more widely known as pills, but you can use them as topical treatments too. A new version called crisaborole is gaining momentum as an OTC option.
Barrier repair moisturizers. Functionally, a top priority is to retain skins moisture and protect from outside irritants. The best barrier lotions will contain at least one of the following kind of ingredients:
- Occlusives: petrolatum, silicone, mineral oil, and lanolin.
- Emollients: ceramide, cholesterol, and fatty acids.
- Humectants: alpha hydroxy acids and glycerin.
Eczema Coping Tips Reducing Skin Irritation
People with eczema have sensitive skin. Irritants such as heat or detergents can easily trigger a bout of eczema.Suggestions for reducing skin irritation include:
- Avoid overheating your skin. Wear several layers of clothing that you can remove, as required, instead of one heavy layer. Dont put too many blankets on your bed and avoid doonas.
- Dont use perfumed bubble bath or bath products labelled medicated.
- Wear soft, smooth materials next to your skin, preferably 100% cotton. Avoid scratchy materials, such as pure wool, polyester or acrylic. You could try a cotton and synthetic mix material this is fine for some people with eczema. Remove labels from clothing.
- Always wear protective gloves when using any type of chemical or detergent. You may want to wear cotton gloves inside rubber or PVC gloves.
- Avoid chlorinated pools. If you have to swim in a chlorinated pool, moisturise your skin well when you get out.
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Causes Of Discoid Eczema
The cause of discoid eczema is unknown, although it may happen as a result of having particularly dry skin.
When your skin is very dry it cannot provide an effective barrier against substances that come into contact with it. This could allow a previously harmless substance, such as soap, to irritate your skin.
It’s important to look carefully at all the chemicals in cosmetics and toiletries that may have come into contact with your skin. Contact dermatitis, a type of eczema caused by coming into contact with a particular irritant, may have a role in discoid eczema.
Some people with discoid eczema also have a history of atopic eczema, which often happens in people who are prone to asthma and hay fever. However, unlike atopic eczema, discoid eczema does not seem to run in families.
Types Of Skin Conditions That Cause Eczema
There are at least 11 distinct types of skin conditions that produce eczema. In order to develop a rational treatment plan, it is important to distinguish them. This is often not easy.
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Why Does Eczema Appear On The Hands
There can be a variety of reasons why eczema appears on the hands. For example, the hands can be affected by irritant or allergic contact dermatitis or both at the same time.
Coming into contact with irritants such as dust, detergents, cleaning agents, airborne sprays or even just frequent hand-washing can cause irritant hand eczema . The skin on the palms of the hands is much thicker than elsewhere on the body and is normally able to withstand a great deal of wear and tear. But in people who regularly immerse their hands in detergents or solvents, the protective barrier of the skin breaks down, and eczema may develop. People who have this form of hand eczema often have a history of eczema in childhood.
Allergic hand eczema arises as a result of an allergic reaction to a particular substance in the environment. It is possible to be allergic to a number of different substances, but common causes of contact sensitivity include nickel, fragrances, preservative chemicals, rubber and various plants, amongst other things. Once a persons immune system has identified a substance as harmful, they will react to the substance every time their skin is exposed to it, and this reaction becomes more severe on every exposure to the allergen.
When an allergic reaction of this kind is suspected, your GP should refer you to a dermatologist, who will normally perform patch tests to try to identify the allergic cause.
When Adults Get It
You might notice itchy patches on the hands, elbows, and in the “bending” areas of the body, such as the inside of the elbows and back of the knees. But eczema can appear anywhere, including the neck, chest, and eyelids. People who had atopic dermatitis as a child may see drier, scaly rashes as adults. The skin may be discolored or thickened.
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Eczema Rash Treatment Therapies
Outside of swallowing a pill or covering yourself in the ointment, what else can you do to hedge your bets and find relief? A few alternative therapies have shown promise in studies, like.
Talk therapy. No matter the format, seeing a therapist is one of the best things you can do for your health. Eczema is extremely sensitive to stress and a shrink can offer tools to process stress in a healthy way.
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Does Your Child Need To See A Doctor About Eczema
Yes. Take your child to see your GP if your child:
- might have eczema for the first time
- is very itchy and uncomfortable
- has eczema thats weeping or bleeding
- has eczema that hasnt improved much after a few days, even though youve been treating it as usual
- is having trouble sleeping because the rash is so itchy
- has painful or eczema that has developed pus
- has eczema and is generally unwell for example, has a fever and/or is sweating, feeding poorly or tired.
You should also take your child to the GP if youre not sure whether the rash is eczema.
If your childs eczema doesnt improve with a combination of medical treatment and management at home, your GP might refer your child to a dermatologist. If the GP thinks your childs eczema might be from allergies, they might also refer you to an allergy and immunology specialist.
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Toxicity And Side Effect Management
It is crucial that the patient and parents understand that the use of topical steroids should only be used for active lesions. They can also be used prophylactically by applying the topical steroid a few times a week to prevent flare-ups. Topical steroids should not be routinely used daily. Long term use of topical steroids can cause atrophy , stretch marks , acne, telangiectasia and rebound dermatitis/rosacea. The strength and formulation of the topical steroid need to be carefully determined based on the location of the body affected. Less potent steroids should be used on the face and intertriginous regions.
Eczema Rash On Skin: Diagnosis Symptoms Treatments With Pictures
It is estimated that approximately 31.6 million people in America are living with some form of eczema. Both genders are affected, but it plagues women at a higher rate. Serious complications from eczema are rare, but anything that causes open wounds put the person at an elevated risk of contracting infections. Pairing that with the fact that is it generally related to a dysfunctional immune system, and eczema could be a wake up call to take better care of your health.
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Recognizing Eczema On Different Skin Tones
Variations in skin color can cause eczema to have a different appearance for different people. While eczema may appear red on fairer complexions, it can present as brown, purple, or grey/ashy in deeper skin tones, Dr. Yadav says.
The way you respond to your eczema flare-up can also change how it presents on your skin. Active eczema or scratching can result in two types of pigmentary skin changes: hyperpigmentation, the darkening of skin, and hypopigmentation, the lightening of skin, Dr. Palm says. Hyperpigmentation is more common in people with darker skin tones. Someone with a lighter skin tone might experience more redness as a result of eczema, but in people with darker skin tones, eczema can present as brown or pink.
Try A Thick Moisturizer
If you have eczema, your skin requires a lot of moisturizing. Use thick moisturizers and apply them immediately after bathing or showering. Petroleum jelly is a good option. Lotions may not be as effective at treating winter eczema.
For painful, itchy flare-ups, you may also use a cream containing hydrocortisone or hydrocortisone acetate. You should talk to your doctor before using hydrocortisone or hydrocortisone acetate cream, though. Your doctor may also prescribe something stronger to curb your flare-up.
Make sure to moisturize your skin more than once per day.
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What Is Dermatitis And What Does It Look Like
Dermatitis is a word used to describe a number of skin irritations and rashes caused by genetics, an overactive immune system, infections, allergies, irritating substances and more. Common symptoms include dry skin, redness and itchiness.
In the word dermatitis, derm means skin and itis means inflammation. The word as a whole means inflammation of the skin. The rashes range from mild to severe and can cause a variety of problems, depending on their cause.
Dermatitis causes no serious harm to your body. It is not contagious, and it does not mean that your skin is unclean or infected. There are treatment methods and medications that can manage your symptoms.
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Types Of Eczema Commonly Found In Older Adults
There are many different types of eczema so its important to know your type so that you can avoid the triggers and heal the skin. Here are the most common types of eczema in older adults:
Asteatotic Eczema
Common in adults over the age of 60, this type of eczema appears as fissures or grooves that are pink and red, affecting the superficial layers of skin. Its usually found on the legs but can be found on the upper arms, thighs and lower back. Other symptoms include soreness and itchiness.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is temporary and occurs when your skin is exposed to an irritant such as chemicals in a cleaning product or laundry detergent.
Venous Eczema
Venous Eczema mostly shows up on the lower legs in the form of itchy, red and scaly patches. Older adults who have a high body mass index or a family history of varicose veins are most susceptible.
Nummular Eczema
Nummular eczema is characterized by coin-shaped scores on the skin. These sores may be open and are very itchy. The lesions may also be dry or weeping.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic eczema tends to appear on areas of the body where there are a lot of oil-producing glands . It appears as red, greasy or swollen skin with white or yellow crusty flakes. While people of any age can develop seborrheic dermatitis, people with certain diseases such as Parkinsons Disease are believed to be at an increased risk.
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How Is Eczema Diagnosed What Tests Are Done
Your healthcare provider will take a close look at your skin. They will look for classic signs of eczema such as a redness and dryness. They will ask about the symptoms youre experiencing.
Usually your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose eczema based on examining your skin. However, when there is doubt, they may perform the following tests:
- An allergy skin test.
- Blood tests to check for causes of the rash that might be unrelated to dermatitis.
- A skin biopsy to distinguish one type of dermatitis from another.
General Tips For Coping With Eczema
Other tips to manage your eczema include:
- Keep your fingernails short longer nails are more likely to injure your skin when you scratch.
- If the water in your area is hard or alkaline, consider installing a water-softening device.
- Swim in the sea in warm weather whenever you can seawater is known to reduce the symptoms of eczema.
- Use sun exposure for limited periods for example, when swimming at the beach. This can help relieve eczema symptoms. But be aware that ultraviolet radiation is a risk factor for skin cancer and premature ageing of the skin. Also, if sun exposure causes overheating, this can also aggravate eczema.
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What Types Of Eczema Affect Your Legs
There are multiple types of eczema. Its not contagious, but it has genetic and environmental triggers.
All types can break out on your legs .
- Atopic dermatitis. Normally, this will take the form of rough patches on the backs of your knees .
- Contact dermatitis. This eczema is caused by contact with irritants or allergens. If you start using a new soap and get itchy red patches that sting like crazy, its contact dermatitis.
- Dyshidrotic eczema. Itchy blisters on your feet ? Its probably dyshidrotic eczema.
- Neurodermatitis. Thick, scaly patches that appear out of nowhere, forming on your legs and the bottoms of your feet, could be neurodermatitis.
- Nummular eczema. If your leg rash is a bunch of red or scaly circles, then its probably nummular eczema. Nummular eczema is typically caused by allergic reactions to insect bites or chemicals.
- Stasis dermatitis. Stasis dermatitis is caused by weakened veins leaking fluid. Its almost exclusive to the legs and is most common in older folks.
In more severe cases, eczema also causes bleeding, swelling, and fluid discharge. Not fun.
Eczema on your legs is common. Eczema symptoms on your legs may reveal the root cause and how to treat it.
Explaining what different kinds of eczema look like can seem a bit pointless since one persons bumpy rough patch is another persons area of leathery skin.
Heres how different flavors of legzema can look.