What Causes Discoid Eczema
The cause of discoid eczema is unknown, although it is often accompanied by dry skin and is thought to be triggered by irritation of the skin.
Discoid eczema tends to affect adults and is rare in children. It is more common among men aged from 50 to 70 and women in their teens or twenties.
Some people with discoid eczema may also have other types of eczema, such as atopic eczema.
Read more about the causes of discoid eczema.
What Questions Might My Healthcare Provider Ask To Diagnose Eczema
The conversation with your healthcare provider will need to cover a lot of information. Be sure to be specific about your symptoms.
- Where is your eczema located?
- What have you used to try to treat your eczema?
- What medical conditions do you have? Allergies? Asthma?
- Is there a history of eczema in your family?
- How long have you had symptoms of eczema?
- Do you take hot showers?
- Is there anything that makes your symptoms worse?
- Have you noticed that something triggers or worsens your eczema? Soaps? Detergents? Cigarette smoke?
- Is there so much itchiness that you have trouble sleeping? Working? Living your normal life?
Cucumber To Get Rid Of Eczema On The Face Naturally
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How To Use It
People can buy aloe vera gel in health stores or online, or they can purchase an aloe vera plant and use the gel directly from its leaves.
Individuals should aim to use aloe gel products with few ingredients others can contain preservatives, alcohol, fragrances, and colors, which can irritate sensitive skin. Additionally, alcohol and other drying ingredients could make eczema worse.
However, start with a small amount of gel to check for skin sensitivity, as sometimes, aloe vera can cause burning or stinging. However, it is generally safe and effective for adults and children.
What Is Facial Eczema
“Eczema is an inflammation of the skin caused by either an allergen or irritant,” says New York-based board-certified dermatologist Anthony Rossi, MD. It can also be genetic, and triggered by irritants.
Facial eczema has many different symptoms that can manifest themselves differently from person to person, but some common things to look for are red patches, itchy skin, stinging, and dryness. With darker skin tones, it also tends to be scaly, says Dr. Rossi.
Eczema is a common condition that can appear anywhere on the body, but if you’re grappling with facial eczema, it’s likely on the eyelids, eyebrows, cheeks, or chin. And while it is common, you definitely should bring it to your dermatologist. “Eczema that develops near the eyes needs special attention because the eyes themselves can be affected,” adds Dr. Alexiades. “Those with eczema around the eyes are more susceptible to certain eye problems such as conjunctivitis, inflamed cornea, and changes in the shape of the cornea, a condition called keratoconus.”
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How To Treat Eczema
Ive learned to constantly be on alert when touching gym equipment, sleeping in hotel sheets, trying on clothes in a fitting room, or even applying mascara. A strangers perfume in a crowded elevator or subway car could set my skin off. So can public-restroom hand soap or scented detergents. Above all, less is more when it comes to topical products.
Go for minimal ingredients and less fragrance, because many people with eczema are allergic to fragrance, advises Emma Guttman, M.D., director of the Laboratory of Inflammatory Skin Diseases at Mount Sinais Icahn School of Medicine.
Avoiding triggers is also really important, Wallace says of the factors that spark flare-ups. My own triggers are both varied and inconsistent, so its difficult to play detective. To give you an idea, the list includes climate, weather changes, dust, pollen, stress, inadequate sleep, alcohol, spicy foods, and my own sweat.
To treat my eczema, Ive been prescribed five different topical steroid treatments, the most effective being triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% ointment, which I sometimes dilute with moisturizer for large areas. Options abound beyond topical steroids for moderate to severe case, like immunosuppressants, immunomodulators, and biologic injections. These require a doctor visit, but theres also plenty of over-the-counter remedies and hacks you can try. Below, the ones that have saved my skin.
My neck during an eczema flare-up
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Identify And Avoid Products That Cause Irritation
You can also treat facial eczema by identifying triggers and removing the source of irritation. Keep in mind that labeling a product as sensitive doesnt mean that it cant cause irritation.
Even so, choosing fragrance-free or hypoallergenic makeup and skin care products can reduce the risk of irritation.
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What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
- How can you tell that I have ear eczema?
- What kind of ear eczema do I have?
- If I dont have ear eczema, what other skin condition might I have?
- Is there a specific brand of moisturizer or skin care ointment that you recommend?
- Is there a prescription cream or ointment that you can prescribe?
- Should I see a dermatologist or another specialist?
- What soaps, lotions, hair care products and other skin care products should I avoid?
- What medications do you recommend?
- What at-home treatments do you recommend?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Ear eczema is annoying and embarrassing, and it can be alarming if it impacts your hearing. It can affect your quality of life or make you feel self-conscious. However, its common and very normal. With a proper skin care routine and treatment, you can reduce its impact. See your healthcare provider as soon as you notice signs of ear eczema.
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Eczema On The Face And Neck Poses Special Treatment Issues
If were talking about topical treatments such as creams or ointments that we are applying to eczema, we do have to be mindful that the skin on the face and neck is much thinner than the skin on other parts of the body, Wan says.
Potent topical corticosteroids can cause skin thinning if applied too frequently and for a long time without a break, according to the National Eczema Association. In some people, topical steroids used on the face can cause tiny bumps and acne.
For these reasons, We often have to limit the duration of time that we might be able to use stronger corticosteroid creams or ointments, Wan says. For example, a steroid cream that we could use for two weeks on one part of the body, we might only use for a week on the face.
If the eczema on the face and neck is a chronic issue, a dermatologist is likely to prescribe steroid-sparing treatments. These are not the typical steroid-based creams and ointments and so they can be more safely used on the face and neck in a continuous manner, she says.
The nonsteroid cream ruxolitinib , for instance, is a relatively new option for adults and children 12 and up with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.
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Eczema Remedies You Can Probably Skip
There are a lot of folk remedies out there, and not all of them are helpful. Dr. Anthony recommends avoiding these eczema treatments.
- Anti-itch ointments and sprays. Theyre not always harmful, but theyre complicated. In some people, they can cause allergies, Dr. Anthony explains.
- Essential oils. Essential oils, including tea tree oil, are often touted as natural cures for all sorts of maladies. But theres no evidence that any of these oils help with eczema, Dr. Anthony says. And some people can develop allergies to essential oils, so its best to avoid them.
- Botanicals. Plants are natural, so they must be gentle right? Not necessarily. Creams with botanical ingredients such as calendula can trigger allergies, he says. Its better to choose bland moisturizers with few ingredients and no added fragrance.
- Evening primrose oil. Some people claim this herbal supplement helps reduce eczema symptoms. Unfortunately, theres no solid evidence to show that it helps.
Tips To Prevent Facial Eczema Flare
Apart from treatment, the management of facial eczema is essential for recovery. Here are some tips you can follow to take care and prevent flare-ups:
- Cut your fingernails and avoid scratching your facial skin. Use gloves to prevent scratching in sleep.
- Use an emollient, moisturizer, or topical corticosteroid cream to control itching.
- Moisturize and hydrate your skin two or three times each day. Use petroleum jelly or moisturizers without alcohol, fragrances, scents, dyes, and chemical irritants. Keeping a humidifier at home can help prevent skin dryness.
- Avoid irritants like wool, strong soaps, or detergents that can worsen your eczema.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature because sweating can irritate your skin.
- Avoid long baths or showers. Have lukewarm baths and avoid hot baths. Hot baths can dry and irritate your skin.
- Use gentle body washes and cleansers instead of soap. Avoid scrubbing or drying your skin harshly or for prolonged durations.
- Moisturize immediately after bath to lock in the moisture and repair your skin.
These tips will help you manage and heal the skin damage caused by facial eczema. If your symptoms get worse, contact your doctor to find a more suitable treatment for your skin.
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What Causes Facial Eczema
This is where it gets a little complicated. There are several types of eczema, Shah says. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form, and often when people say eczema this is the condition they are referring to.
Atopic dermatitis is chronic, meaning that it comes and goes over a long period of time, according to the National Eczema Association. It’s generally caused by genetics, and can flare up in the face, arms, legs, and other parts of the body.
Another type of facial eczema: contact dermatitis. This is a form of eczema that is triggered by one specific irritant, like extreme weather, super-hot showers, skincare ingredients, laundry detergents, fragrancesthe list goes on. What triggers eczema in one person may not irritate another persons skin at all.
The Symptoms Of Eczema
Itchiness ranging from a mild tickle to a severe and intense itch is a symptom of nearly all types of eczema. In fact, the skin can become itchy before the appearance of any rash. Eczema is also a common reason for itchy bumps on your elbows.
Respected dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman says that dry skin is usually associated with eczema. The affected skin often develops a rash and become thickened or scaly.1 These patches of reddened skin can turn a brownish-gray color and the skin can feel like leather.
The symptoms of eczema can be aggravated if a person scratches the itchy rash because this allows Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to infect broken skin. The end result is that the skin becomes raw, swollen and very sensitive. It may also ooze fluid which can leave the skin with crusty patches when the fluid dries.
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How To Get Rid Of Eczema Fast
The steps above can definitely help you to improve your skin and clear up dermatitis. However as you can see, eczema can be caused by many different things, so its important to find the root cause of your breakout.
Addressing the root cause is one of the best ways to get rid of eczema fast and forever!
Breakouts on the skin is often a signal that there is something around that may be making us breakout. If youre looking to get rid of the red itchy skin forever, then it can really help to look at whats around us.
I hope this guide helped you know more about eczema and find some easy ways to clear your skin. If it helped and inspired you, please let me know in the comments below! I always love hearing from you!
PS: Don’t know where to start? Sign up to my free series The Clear Skin Plan !
Yoga Qigong And Tai Chi
Yoga, qigong and tai chi are all examples of ancient mind-body practices that combine breathing with body movement and meditation to attain focus, clarity and relaxation. Some individuals with eczema believe these gentle exercises have helped them reduce stress, lower inflammation and distract from itch.
Tai chi and qigong are martial art forms that combine graceful movements with diaphragmatic breathing to help circulate vital energy called Qi in order to achieve balance between the body and mind. Yoga is rooted in Ayurveda and based on a Hindu philosophy that combines deep, slow breathing with a series of poses to help achieve balance, focus and inner peace.
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Identify And Avoid Potential Triggers
A person can take steps to improve eczema by avoiding substances that may irritate the skin, such as soap, essential oils, and scented products.
While sun exposure can decrease inflammation in the skin and improve eczema, the heat and sweat from sun exposure can trigger a flare.
Other potential triggers for eczema symptoms include:
Best Treatment For Baby Eczema
There is no one right treatment for eczema in children. What works for another child may not work for yours. You may have to go through several treatments or combinations of treatments in partnership with your doctor before you find one that helps manage your childs symptoms. Be persistent and patient as treating eczema can take several weeks or longer before you see real progress.
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Triggers Of Eczema Flare
- Soaps. Never use bubble bath. It can cause a major flare-up.
- Pollens. Keep your child from lying on the grass during grass pollen season.
- Animals. Avoid any animals that make the rash worse.
- Foods. If certain foods cause severe itching , avoid them.
- Wool. Avoid wool fibers and clothes made of other scratchy, rough materials.
- Dry Air. Use a humidifier if the air in your home is dry.
- Herpes Virus Infection . Keep your child away from anyone with fever blisters . The herpes virus can cause a serious skin infection in children with eczema.
- Eczema is not caused by laundry soap you use to wash clothing.
How To Find A Food Trigger
Some are obvious. If your child eats lobster for the first time and breaks out in hives 15 minutes later, itâs probably not hard to figure out.
But with eczema, its often tougher. Symptoms may not show up for days after you eat something. If you do find a trigger food and get rid of it, that may help. Still, it may not make the eczema go away. Remember, 2 out of 3 kids with eczema dont have a food allergy at all.
Thats why working with a doctor is so important. They can guide you toward the real cause through tests like:
Elimination diets. If your doctor thinks a food may be harmful, they may ask you not to give it to your kid for 10 to 14 days. Watch to see if it makes a difference.
Food challenges. After youve taken a food out of your childs diet, your pediatrician might want you to add a small amount back in to see if it causes symptoms. They may want to do this in the office, just in case your child has a reaction.
Skin testing. A doctor can take an extract of the food and use it to scratch the skin lightly. If the area swells up, that could be an allergic reaction. However, its not always accurate.
Blood tests. RAST a radioallergosorbent test can check for special cells in the blood that signal specific food allergies. Again, its not always accurate. Other lab tests can check for cells that trigger swelling.
Tracking down a food trigger can take patience and detective work.
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Risk Factors For Seborrheic Dermatitis
There are many factors that may increase your risk of developing seborrheic dermatitis.
One of the main ones is having a family history of dandruff.
Additional risk factors for developing seborrheic dermatitis or experiencing flare-ups include:
- Oily skin means that there is more natural oil that offers a place for yeast to grow.
- Stress often precedes flare-ups. The reason behind this isnt fully understood, but its possible that your bodys chemical responses to stress make you more prone to an inflammatory reaction to yeast.
- Cold, dry weather can make the scalp prone to itchiness and flaking.
- Hormonal changes may worsen seborrheic dermatitis or contribute to flares.
- Use of alcohol-based skin products or harsh cleansers or soapsmay irritate skin.
- History of acne, psoriasis, rosacea, or other skin disorders can mean skin inflammation, scaly skin, or excess oil.
- Certain medications, such as psoralen used to treat skin conditions, interferon, or the mood-stabilizer lithium for bipolar disorder can make you more prone to flare-ups.
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Skin Care For Facial Eczema
Moisturize. The best way to keep your skin from drying out is with thick creams and ointments , not with thinner lotions. The best time to do this is right after you wash your face. If ointments are too greasy for your face, try using them only at night.
Clean gently. Soap can irritate your skin, but washing with water alone may not be enough, especially if your face is oily. Use a gentle non-soap cleanser or a medical emollient instead. Pat dry with a soft towel.
Watch the temperature. Use only cool — not hot — water on your face, and for as little time as possible.
Skip makeup.Donât use cosmetics on irritated skin.
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