What Is Eczema And What Causes It

What Are The Symptoms Of Nummular Eczema

The most common and noticeable symptom of nummular eczema is a patch of coin-shaped lesions on the body. The lesions frequently develop on the arms or legs, but they may eventually spread to the torso and hands.

They may be brown, pink, or red. Some lesions may itch and burn. Other lesions may ooze fluid and eventually crust over. The skin around the lesions may be red, scaly, or inflamed.

Signs And Symptoms Of Eczema

People with eczema have very dry, itchy skin and rashes on various parts of the body particularly the face, hands, feet, insides of the elbows, and behind the knees.

In addition, skin lesions and blotches may develop on the wrists, ankles, sides of the neck, or around the mouth.

For most people, the main symptom of eczema is itching, which can lead to scratching and rubbing that further irritates the skin. This can, in turn, lead to the itch-scratch cycle or increased itching and scratching that worsens eczema symptoms.

Other skin symptoms associated with eczema include:

• Rough, leathery patches of skin
• Red, raised bumps

Southern Cross Medical Library

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.

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Eczema Coping Tips Good Hygiene

Skin affected by eczema is more vulnerable to a range of infections, including impetigo, cold sores and warts. The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus may cause a secondary infection of impetigo, and possibly contribute to the symptoms of eczema.Suggestions for washing include:

• Take lukewarm baths or showers, and avoid really hot showers.
• Dont use ordinary soap, as the ingredients may aggravate your eczema. Wash your body with warm water alone. For armpits and groin, use soap-free products, such as sorbolene cream.
• Bath oils can help to moisturise your skin while bathing.
• When towelling dry, pat rather than rub your skin.

Favorite Resource For Becoming An Advocate

We love that the NEA has made it so easy to advocate for better healthcare policies. Their Advocacy Action Center enables people to browse legislation related to eczema in various states. If you wish to take action, you can click on a button and fill out an online form to send a message to your local lawmaker.

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What Is Eczema What Does It Look And Feel Like

Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, red, itchy and bumpy. Its one of many types of dermatitis. Eczema damages the skin barrier function . This loss of barrier function makes your skin more sensitive and more prone to infection and dryness.

Eczema doesnt harm your body. It doesnt mean that your skin is dirty or infected, and its not contagious. There are treatments that can help manage your symptoms.

In the word dermatitis, derm means skin and itis means inflammation. The word as a whole means inflammation of the skin. Eczema originates from the Greek word ekzein which means to boil over or break out.

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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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.

D Ayurvedic Diet For Eczema

Ayurveda recommends a complete change of lifestyle when dealing with eczema or Vicharchika.

• Consumption of wholesome foods that are high in vitamins and minerals such as zinc and magnesium are advised for faster skin healing.
• Fruits and vegetables that have a high water content help your body flush out harmful toxins.
• Foods rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B3, Vitamin C and Vitamin E help in skin renewal. Include carrots, sweet potatoes, eggs, seafoods, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, amla, tuna, almonds, soy, beans, pumpkin seeds, cashews in your diet.
• Omega-3 and Alpha-Lipoic Fatty Acids help in case of inflammations. Include fish oils, flax seeds, salmon, mackerel, soybean oil, yams, broccoli.
• Including Ayurveda suggested spices in your meals can further help reduce eczema symptoms such as inflammation, dryness and itchiness. Include spices like turmeric, ginger, clove, cardamom, fenugreek, cinnamon, nigella seeds .

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Is There A Root Cause Of Eczema Its Complicated

While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, researchers do know the immune system is undeniably involved.

With eczema, an overactive immune system produces excess inflammation, which can contribute to symptoms like itch and rash. Inflammation can also cause your skin barrier to become damaged, leading to water loss , and allowing irritants to penetrate. Scratching further damages the skin barrier, increasing the exposure to irritants and bringing on even more inflammation, symptoms, water loss, and possibly infection.

While we know irritants and environmental factors alone arent the cause, some people living with eczema also try to manage their triggers. For people with eczema, triggers can be anything that’s more likely to worsen symptoms and activate a response from the immune system. Researchers also know genetics can play a role in this chronic inflammatory disease, so you may already know that someone in your family has eczema.

What Causes Eczema Or Atopic Dermatitis

So in 4 words: A damaged skin barrier. That my friends, is it. The skin barrier is the outer most layer of the skinâs epidermis layer. This layer is called the stratum corneum. You can picture it as a brick wall. This wall contains skin cells bound together by lipids. A nice new brick wall is a solid wall that doesnât let anything in our out. But picture a brick wall where the mortar is crumbling away. This is the skin barrier in someone with atopic dermatitis.

A healthy skin barrier keeps external things like allergens, bacteria, chemicals etc, out. It also keeps good things in, such as water. Hence, with an impaired skin barrier youâre prone to dry and dehydrated skin, which can lead to further skin barrier damage. Also, external things including bacteria and viruses can easily enter the system initiating an immune response leading to flareups and infections in people with atopic dermatitis. I am allergic to dust, so dust would be able to enter my system through the skin also causing an immune response and an eczema flare up for me.

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What Causes Dyshidrotic Eczema

This is still a bit of a mystery. In studying this disease, researchers have learned that it is NOT caused by a problem with a persons sweat ducts, as previously thought.

It appears that people who get dyshidrotic eczema have a hypersensitivity to something. The list of things that can cause this hypersensitivity include:

• Metal, especially nickel or cobalt

• An ingredient in a personal care product

• Medication, especially aspirin or birth control pills

• An infusion of intravenous immunoglobulin

• Smoking tobacco

• A skin infection, such as athletes foot

When you come into contact with something that causes a hypersensitivity, its thought that this triggers the dyshidrotic eczema. For example, if you have a hypersensitivity to an ingredient in your soap, dyshidrotic eczema may flare up every time you use that soap.

Some people find that when they avoid what causes this hypersensitivity, they avoid flare-ups. For example, if you have dyshidrotic eczema on your hands and you are hypersensitive to the fungus that causes athletes foot, getting rid of the athletes foot may get rid of the dyshidrotic eczema on your hands. You may never get another flare-up of dyshidrotic eczema unless you develop athletes foot again.

How Can Parents Help

Help prevent or treat eczema by keeping your child’s skin from getting dry or itchy and avoiding triggers that cause flare-ups. Try these suggestions:

• Kids should take short baths or showers in warm water. Use mild unscented soaps or non-soap cleansers and pat the skin dry before putting on cream or ointment. Teens should use unscented makeup and oil-free facial moisturizers.
• Ask your doctor if it’s OK to use oatmeal soaking products in the bath to help control itching.
• Kids should wear soft clothes that “breathe,” such as those made from cotton. Wool or polyester may be too harsh or irritating.
• Keep your child’s fingernails short to prevent skin damage from scratching. Try having your child wear comfortable, light gloves to bed if scratching at night is a problem.
• Kids should avoid becoming overheated, which can lead to flare-ups.
• Kids should drink plenty of water, which adds moisture to the skin.
• Get rid of known allergens in your household and help your child avoid others, like pollen, mold, and tobacco smoke.
• Stress can make eczema worse. Help your child find ways to deal with stress .

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The Inherited Barrier Defect

There is emerging evidence that inflammation in atopic dermatitis is associated with immune-mediated and inherited abnormalities in the skin barrier. This barrier failure causes increased permeability of the skin and reduces its antimicrobial function.

The main inherited abnormality causing disordered barrier function is filaggrin expression. Filaggrins are filament-associated proteins which bind to keratin fibres in the epidermal cells. The gene for filaggrin resides on chromosome 1 . This gene was first identified as the gene involved in ichthyosis vulgaris. Abnormal filaggrin is associated with early-onset, severe and persistent atopic dermatitis.

It is postulated that the loss of filaggrin results in:

• Corneocyte deformation , which disrupts the organisation of the extracellular lipid the lamellar bilayers.
• A reduction in natural moisturising factors, which include metabolites of pro-filaggrin.
• An increase in skin pH which encourages serine proteaseactivity these are enzymes which digest lipid-processing enzymes and the proteins that hold epidermal cells together. Serine proteases also generate active cytokines like IL-1a and Il-1beta and promote skin inflammation.

Proteins under investigation in atopic eczema include structural compounds, such as hornerin, cornulin, claudin 1/23 and ceramides, enzymes, such as kallikrein and serine peptidases.

Who Gets Dyshidrotic Eczema

Your risk of developing dyshidrotic eczema increases if you have one or more of the following:

• Another type of eczema, especially atopic dermatitis

• Hay fever, asthma, or allergic sinusitis

• An allergy, especially to nickel or cobalt

• Sweaty hands often

• One or more blood relatives who have dyshidrotic eczema, atopic dermatitis, hay fever, asthma, or allergic sinusitis

• Worked as a metalworker or mechanic

• Worked with cement

If you develop dyshidrotic eczema, its likely to begin between 20 and 40 years of age.

Dyshidrotic eczema can also begin earlier or later in life. While rare, children sometimes develop this disease.

Dyshidrotic eczema can come and go

Many people find that warm weather or feeling stressed out can trigger the itchy blisters.

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What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Eczema

• How can you tell that I have eczema?
• If I dont have eczema, what other skin condition might I have?
• Is there a specific brand of moisturizer that you recommend?
• Is there a prescription cream that you can prescribe?
• How often should I see a dermatologist regarding my eczema?
• What soaps, lotions, makeup, etc. should I avoid?
• What medications do you recommend?
• What at-home treatments do you recommend?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Eczema is very normal, very common, and very, very uncomfortable. It can affect your quality of life. At its worse it can keep you from sleeping, distract you and make you feel self-conscious in public. See your dermatologist or other healthcare provider as soon as you start to see signs of it. Explore at-home remedies and prescribed treatments.

Youre not alone! 15% to 20% of people experience eczema or another type of dermatitis at some point in their lives.

How Do I Take Care Of Myself

Reducing your stress is very important. Try these tips:

• Count to ten as you take a deep breath.
• Exercise daily.
• Try not to drink as much caffeine and alcohol.
• Sleep eight hours a night.
• Eat healthy.
• Try to have a positive attitude.
• Journal every day.
• Talk about your life with friends, family and a therapist.

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How Is Allergic Contact Dermatitis Diagnosed

An allergy specialist can perform patch testing, which involves exposing your skin to small amounts of substances that commonly cause allergies.

Youll wear the skin patch for about 48 hours, keeping it as dry as possible. After a day, youll return to your doctors office so they can look at the skin exposed to the patch. Youll also come back about a week later to further inspect the skin.

If you experience a rash within a week of exposure, you likely have an allergy. Some people may experience an immediate skin reaction, however.

Even if your skin doesnt react to a substance, you can be on the lookout for substances that commonly cause your skin to be irritated. Some people keep a journal of their skin symptoms and determine what they were around when the reaction occurred.

Your doctor can recommend allergic contact dermatitis treatments based on whats causing your reaction and its severity. The following are some examples of common treatments.

For mild reactions:

• antihistamine medications, such as diphenhydramine , cetirizine , and loratadine these may be available over the counter or with a prescription
• topical corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone
• oatmeal baths

For severe reactions causing facial swelling, or if the rash covers your mouth:

• prednisone

For an infection, antibiotics are recommended.

Avoid scratching your rash because scratching can cause infection.

What Causes Nummular Eczema

Theres no known cause for nummular eczema. However, many people with nummular eczema have a personal or family history of allergies, asthma, or atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that causes itchy or scaly rashes. People with nummular eczema also tend to have sensitive skin that gets irritated easily.

The following factors may also contribute to the development of nummular eczema:

• temperature changes
• environmental irritants, such as soaps, metals, and formaldehyde
• surgery

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Atopic Dermatitis Or Eczema

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition that requires symptom management. Its characterized by an itchy, red rash that usually appears at joints in your body, such as knees or elbows, and even around the neck.

This condition occurs in flare-ups or bouts, meaning that it gets worse and improves in irregular cycles. Symptoms include:

• asteatotic eczema

To determine what type of eczema you have, make an appointment with your doctor. Following your diagnosis, your doctor will provide a plan for treatment and management.

Most forms of dermatitis and eczema are chronic conditions. One exception is contact dermatitis. It can be prevented by finding and avoiding the irritant that caused the skin condition.

Other forms of dermatitis can usually be avoided or managed with proper self-care, which includes the following:

• Avoid long showers or baths, which can dry out the skin.
• Use moisturizers such as oils, lotions, or creams.
• Avoid irritants that make your skin more susceptible to breakouts.
• Dont scrub your skin too hard.
• Use topical steroids to help with itching.
• Keep your fingernails short if you have a habit of scratching.
• Avoid stressful situations that may cause a flare-up.

Establishing a skin care routine can help you manage your atopic dermatitis or eczema symptoms. A doctor can help you come up with a regimen that works for you. You should also take note of things that may have caused your breakouts.

Q : What Is The Scratch And Itch Cycle Of Eczema

The scratch and itch cycle of eczema can cause discomfort, disrupt sleep and affect quality of life:

• In people with eczema the skin does not retain moisture very well, which causes it to dry out easily.
• This makes the skin more open to allergens and irritants, which can trigger the skin to release chemicals that make the skin itchy.
• Scratching itchy skin causes more chemicals to be released, making the skin feel itchier.
• If eczema is well managed this can avoid the scratch and itch cycle. It is therefore important to keep skin that is prone to eczema well moisturised, by using moisturising creams on the skin every day.

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What Are The Risk Factors Of Eczema

There are a number of risk factors associated with the development of eczema, an itchy skin condition affecting millions of people worldwide.

If you suffer from eczema, you may want to look into the following risk factors to determine if any apply to you.

If you have Atopic Dermatitis, your family members may also be at a higher risk of developing the condition.