What Causes Eczema On Face

Avoid Irritants And Triggers Where Possible

Many people with atopic eczema have flare-ups from time to time for no apparent reason. However, some flare-ups may be caused or made worse by irritants to the skin, or by other factors. It is commonly advised to:

• Avoid soaps, bubble baths, etc, when you wash. They can dry out the skin and make it more prone to irritation. Instead, use a soap substitute plus a bath/shower moisturiser – see below.
• Biological washing powders and fabric conditioners can also sometimes cause problems.
• Try as much as possible not to scratch. To help with this, keep nails short and use anti-scratch mittens in babies. If you need to relieve an itch, rub with fingers rather than scratch with nails.
• Wear cotton clothes next to skin rather than irritating fabrics such as wool. However, it is probably the smoothness of the material rather than the type of the material which helps. Some smooth man-made fabrics are probably just as good as cotton.
• Avoid getting too hot or too cold as extremes of temperature can irritate the skin.
• After you wash clothes with detergent, rinse them well. Some biological detergents are said by some people to be irritating. But there is little proof that commonly used detergents that are used in the normal way make atopic eczema worse.

When To Speak With A Doctor

A person should see their doctor if they suspect they have a skin infection. This is particularly true when the infection develops in an area where their eczema tends to flare up.

If a person has noticed their eczema has worsened or is no longer responding to their usual treatment, they may benefit from speaking with a doctor or dermatologist.

A dermatologist can help a person identify the type of eczema they have and prescribe treatments that may be more effective. They can also refer someone for diagnostic tests, such as allergy testing, if necessary.

If a rash appears suddenly, spreads quickly, or shows signs of infection, see a doctor as soon as possible.

When To Call A Healthcare Provider

If you think you have atopic dermatitis, you should be seen by a healthcare provider. Your regular healthcare provider can, in most cases, diagnose and treat atopic dermatitis. You may also be referred to a dermatologist. The diagnosis of eczema is largely based on your medical history and a visual examination of the rash.

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How Common Is Eczema

Eczema affects up to 15 million Americans. Infants are prone to eczema and 10% to 20% will have it. However, nearly half outgrow the condition or have significant improvement as they get older.

Eczema affects males and females equally and is more common in people who have a personal or family history of asthma, environmental allergies and/or food allergies.

Q : How Should Eczema Flares And Severe Eczema Be Treated

Skin damage can be prevented by applying creams or ointments prescribed by your doctor as soon as eczema is present. In contrast, not using enough of the treatments can cause skin damage due to itching, which can lead to scarring.

If prescribed, use topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors:

• These treatments actively treat inflammation .
• Ensure that adequate amounts are used. As a guide, one fingertip unit is the amount of ointment from the first bend in the finger to the fingertip, which will cover an area equal to two adult hands.
• Apply moisturiser after corticosteroid cream or ointment has been applied.

If prescribed, use an immune modulating treatment for severe eczema:

• People aged 12 years or older with severe eczema which has not responded to other prescribed topical treatments can now be prescribed an immune modulating treatment known as dupilumab on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in Australia.
• Immune modulating treatments modify the bodys immune response to prevent inflammation that plays a central role in eczema, but they are not immunosuppressants.

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What Makes Atopic Eczema Flare

• Many factors in a persons environment can make AE worse these include heat, dust, woollen clothing, pets and irritants such as soaps, detergents and other chemicals.
• Being unwell, for example having a common cold cancause a flare-up.
• Infections with bacteria or viruses can worsen AE. Bacterial infection makes the affected skin yellow, crusty and inflamed, and may need specific treatment. An infection with the cold sore virus can cause a sudden painful widespread flare-up of AE, with weeping small sores.
• Dryness of the skin.
• In some, food allergens may rarely cause a flare up
• Stress

The Signs Of Eczema And Symptoms Of Acne

Eczema almost always causes an itchy, red rash in patches on the face or body, commonly in the creases of the elbows or knees. Redness and itching are the main symptoms of eczema, but affected skin areas can also become dry, flaky, and scaly.

The most common form of eczema called atopic dermatitis is frequently seen in people with a personal or family history of hay fever or asthma as these conditions commonly occur together. Affected areas of the skin may turn darker, and small bumps that can become infected may develop if scratched and the skin is broken.

Eczema can also develop from an allergic reaction to a particular substance. This type of eczema is called contact dermatitis, which can also cause increased skin redness, pain, and swelling.

Acne produces pimples from clogged pores. Acne most commonly develops on the face, forehead, upper back, chest, and shoulders. Acne pimples are small, raised bumps that are red or the color of your skin and have a white center or enlarged and darkened pores .

Acne is typically not itchy, and most acne is not painful, with the exception of cystic acne. Cystic acne causes larger, swollen, and painful nodules and cysts under the skin.

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Steroid Creams And Ointments

Topical steroids work by reducing inflammation in the skin. Topical steroids are grouped into four categories depending on their strength – mild, moderately potent, potent and very potent. There are various brands and types in each category. For example, hydrocortisone cream 1% is a commonly used steroid cream and is classed as a mild topical steroid. The greater the strength , the more effect it has on reducing inflammation but the greater the risk of side-effects with continued use.

Creams are usually best to treat moist or weeping areas of skin. Ointments are usually best to treat areas of skin which are dry or thickened. Lotions may be useful to treat hairy areas such as the scalp.

As a rule, a course of topical steroid is used when one or more patches of eczema flare up. You should use topical steroids until the flare-up has completely gone and then stop them. In many cases, a course of treatment for 7-14 days is enough to clear a flare-up of eczema. In some cases, a longer course is needed. Many people with atopic eczema require a course of topical steroids every now and then to clear a flare-up. The frequency of flare-ups and the number of times a course of topical steroids is needed can vary greatly from person to person.

Allergic Eczema On The Face Or Neck

Contact eczema is caused by an allergy. It occurs when your skin has an allergic reaction after coming into contact with a specific product. You may have been exposed to this product several times in the past without having a reaction. Indeed, one characteristic of contact eczema is that the allergy can appear suddenly.

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Home Remedies For Eczema On Face

The periodic flare-ups of eczema are very common and instead of going to the doctor every single time, these home remedies can be really beneficial in subsiding the symptoms.

Dos and Donts of Eczema on Face

ALWAYS:

NEVER:

What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Eczema

The signs of eczema :

• are mainly dry, itchy skin. Because it is so itchy, it is often called “the itch that rashes.”
• include redness, scales, and bumps that can leak fluid and then crust over
• tend to come and go. When they get worse, it is called a flare-up.
• may be more noticeable at night

Symptoms can vary:

• Infants younger than 1 year old usually have the eczema rash on their cheeks, forehead, or scalp. It may spread to the knees, elbows, and trunk .

• Older kids and teens usually get the rash in the bends of the elbows, behind the knees, on the neck, or on the inner wrists and ankles. Their skin is often scalier and drier than when the eczema first began. It also can be thicker, darker, or scarred from all the scratching .

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Importance Of Eczema Treatment

There is growing evidence that allergens introduced into the body through the skin can lead to the later development of food allergy, asthma and hay fever. Aggressively treating eczema in children and taking steps to restore normal skin barrier function may lower the risk of future development of these conditions.

Causes And Risk Factors Of Eczema

Skin affected by eczema is unable to retain moisture well, possibly because of low production of fats and oils. It is also caused by a disrupted skin barrier, allowing whatever moisture the skin has to freely evaporate into the air. This causes it to become dry and lose its protective properties.

It’s not clear what causes certain people to develop eczema, specifically atopic dermatitis.

Children are more likely to develop eczema if other allergic diseases such as hay fever and asthma run in the family, which suggests that there may be a genetic component to the condition. Read more about conditions related to eczema below.

Though dermatologists dont necessarily consider eczema an autoimmune disorder, the symptoms of atopic dermatitis are thought to be the result of an immune system overreaction or dysfunction.

Indian Journal of Dermatology

In addition to genetic and immune system factors, environmental factors also play a role in worsening or triggering eczema.

Philipp Oscity/Alamy

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Tips For Reducing Outbreaks

Here are a few ways to prevent eczema flare-ups and manage symptoms:

• Apply cool compresses to your skin, or take a colloidal oatmeal or baking soda bath to relieve the itch.
• Moisturize your skin daily with a rich, oil-based cream or ointment to form a protective barrier against the elements. Apply the cream right after you get out of the shower or bath to seal in moisture.
• After you bathe, gently blot your skin with a soft towel. Never rub.
• Avoid scratching. You could cause an infection.
• Use fragrance-free detergents, cleansers, makeup, and other skin care products.
• Wear gloves and protective clothing whenever you handle chemicals.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes made from soft fibers, like cotton.

You should also avoid any known triggers.

What Are The Home Remedies For Face Eczema

A doctors recommendation is a must at first instance. Eczema shows up at different portions of the body and it is difficult to find a cure. Each type of eczema has its own special treatment and needs tender care. What causes eczema on the face is difficult for a doctor to find out, but, the doctor can suggest lots of home remedies and medications. Lukewarm baths are one of the important home remedies. All year round cotton lingerie and underwear should be preferred.

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Food Allergy May Be A Trigger In Some Cases

About 1 in 2 children with atopic eczema have a food allergy which can make symptoms worse. In general, it is young children with severe eczema who may have a food sensitivity as a trigger factor. The most common foods which trigger symptoms in some people include cow’s milk, eggs, soya, wheat, fish and nuts.

If you suspect a food is making your child’s symptoms worse then see a doctor. You may be asked to keep a diary over 4-6 weeks. The diary aims to record any symptoms and all foods and drink taken. It may help to identify one or more suspect foods. If food allergy is suspected, it should be confirmed by a specialist. They may recommend a diet without this food if the eczema is severe and difficult to control by other means.

What Can I Expect If Ive Been Diagnosed With Eczema

Nearly half of children with eczema will outgrow the condition or experience great improvement by the time they reach puberty. Others will continue to have some form of the disease. For adults with eczema, the disease can be generally well-managed with good skin care and treatment, although flare-ups of symptoms can occur throughout life.

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What Causes Eczema In Adults

Though its not so common, people can develop eczema later in life, even if theyve never suffered from the chronic condition before. What’s going on, and what can you do about it?

Its tricky to diagnose or determine the main cause of adult-onset eczema, as everyones eczema presents differently. Overall, though, eczema in adults tends to act the same way as most variants of eczema: inflammation plus a faulty skin barrier makes skin dry, sore, and insanely itchy.

What causes adult-onset eczema?

Most people living with eczema can hardly remember not having it, and more often than not eczema starts at a very young age. About 1 in 5 children have childhood eczema, but most outgrow it as they get older. When diagnosed in adults, however, the condition tends to persist, meaning that its something they might always be prone to, even if flares come and go.

Studies have shown that adult-onset eczema is more common than one would expect, and it tends to present differently than when diagnosed in childhood.

Physiological changes to the skin as it ages is likely to be the main culprit as the skin structure changes over the years, wrinkles start to form, and the skin becomes more fragile, less elastic, and more sensitive to damage and irritation, as well as slower to heal.

Add general health and well-being to the mix, and anything from hormonal changes to developing allergies can make people more susceptible to experiencing eczema for the first time.

Managing adult-onset eczema

Q : What Triggers Should Be Avoided

People with eczema should avoid known triggers and irritants, which may include:

• Dry skin – this is one of the main triggers of eczema.
• Scratching – keep fingernails clipped .
• Viral or bacterial infections.
• Playing in sand, such as sandpits.
• Sitting directly on carpets or grass.
• Inhaling pollen allergens from grasses, weeds or trees in spring and summer.
• Irritants such as perfumes, soap and chemicals.
• Contact with animals, house dust mite allergen, wool and synthetic fabrics.
• Temperature changes, such as overly heated rooms.
• Stress, which can make eczema worse, although eczema is not a psychological condition.
• Constant exposure to water or chemicals, which can damage the protective barrier function of the skin.

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The purpose of the Southern Cross Medical Library is to provide information of a general nature to help you better understand certain medical conditions. Always seek specific medical advice for treatment appropriate to you. This information is not intended to relate specifically to insurance or healthcare services provided by Southern Cross. For more articles go to the Medical Library index page.

Natural Treatments For Seborrheic Dermatitis

Research on natural treatments for seborrheic dermatitis is lacking, but there are some supplements and topical options that some people use:

• Fish oil supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids, making them a possible option.
• Tea tree oil can have antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. You can find it in some shampoos or facial products. However, allergic reactions to tea tree oil sometimes happen, so always test a small amount on your skin before using it.
• Aloe vera gelmay have some anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties.
• Apple cider vinegarthat’s diluted in water is also sometimes used as a scalp treatment due to its potential anti-itch and antifungal benefits.

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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?