Skin: Condition: Infomation Moisturisers
These should be applied several times every day to help the outer layer of your skin function better as a barrier to your environment. The drier your skin, the more frequently you should apply a moisturiser. Many different ones are available, varying in their degree of greasiness, and it is important that you choose one you like to use. The best one to use is the greasiest one you are prepared to apply. Moisturisers containing an antiseptic may be useful if repeated infections are a problem.
Aqueous cream was originally developed as a soap substitute. It is often used as a moisturiser but can irritate the skin and make your AE worse. For this reason it is recommended that aqueous cream is not used as a moisturiser.
CAUTION: This leaflet mentions emollients . When paraffin-containing emollient products get in contact with dressings, clothing, bed linen or hair, there is a danger that a naked flame or cigarette smoking could cause these to catch fire. To reduce the fire risk, patients using paraffin-containing skincare or haircare products are advised to avoid naked flames completely, including smoking cigarettes and being near people who are smoking or using naked flames. It is also advisable to wash clothing and bed linen regularly, preferably daily.
General Aspects Of Eczema
- There are at least 11 unrelated skin diseases that produce eczemas.
- Studies have found that 1/3 to nearly 2/3 of children and young people with atopic eczema also had a food allergy.
- Statistics in the United States show that about 80% of contact dermatitis is irritantbased and about 20% is allergic.
What Foods Should I Eat Or Avoid To Reduce My Risk Of Eczema
The connection between eczema and food allergies is unclear. If you have food allergies, then one of the reasons why you must avoid that food is that it may cause or worsen dermatitis. Examples of common allergies include peanuts, dairy, eggs, sugar, alcohol and gluten. Pay attention to what you eat. If your eczema flares up after you eat a certain food, then you might have an allergy to it.
If you dont have a food allergy then there are no foods, including chicken, that will cause or worsen your eczema.
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How Many People In The Uk Have Asthma
We found that 8 million people over 12% of the population have been diagnosed with asthma. This means more people have had an asthma diagnosis than have been diagnosed with all other lung diseases combined.
This does not mean that there are 8 million people living with the condition, however. Many children diagnosed with asthma grow out of it. Asthma UK states that around 5.4 million people receive treatment for the disease. Research has also suggested asthma maybe considerably over-diagnosed.
Further research is needed to understand if this is a more accurate indication of the number of people living with asthma in the UK. Or whether this is an underestimate due to the number of people who no longer take treatment for asthma in adulthood, despite still having symptoms.
Our data also confirm that the number of people who have had a diagnosis of asthma is plateauing. There has only been a small increase of under 3% in recent years. However, asthma is still the most common lung condition by a considerable margin.
Estimated numbers of people ever diagnosed with asthma 200412
How Can Atopic Eczema Be Treated
Topical means applied to the skin surface. Most eczema treatments are topical, although for more severe eczema some people need to take oral medication as well.
Complete emollient therapy is the mainstay of treatment for all patients with eczema as the most important part of their treatment this means regular application of a moisturiser and washing with a moisturiser instead of soap .
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Asthma Facts And Figures
Asthma causes swelling of the airways. This results in narrowing of the airways that carry air from the nose and mouth to the lungs. Allergens or irritating things entering the lungs trigger asthma symptoms. Symptoms include trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing and tightness in the chest. Asthma can be deadly.
- There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed with proper prevention of asthma attacks and treatment.
- More Americans than ever before have asthma. It is one of this countrys most common and costly diseases.
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Eczema Symptoms In People Of Color
In People of Color, an eczema rash may appear gray or brown. This can make outbreaks harder to see.
However, People of Color who get eczema may also get dark or light skin patches even after eczema symptoms go away. These can last a long time. Doctors call these patches hyperpigmentation and depigmentation or hypopigmentation.
A dermatologist can evaluate these patches, which may respond to treatments like steroid creams.
The following atopic dermatitis symptoms are common in babies under the age of 2:
- rashes on the scalp and cheeks
- rashes that bubble up before leaking fluid
- rashes that can cause extreme itchiness, which may interfere with sleeping
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What Are The Complications Associated With Eczema
As eczema skin is often broken, it places the sufferer at risk of contracting skin infections. Professional medical advice should be sought at the first sign of any infection. An eczema sufferer is also at risk of developing herpes simplex type 1 which can spread over a large area of the skin and occasionally prove dangerous.
Sufferers are also at risk of contracting a widespread skin infection known as impetigo . In order to avoid any complications associated with vaccination, the disease should be discussed with a medical professional. However, normal childhood immunisations generally pose no risk to the eczema sufferer.
Can Atopic Eczema Be Prevented
Regular use of medical moisturisers can help restore the skins barrier in children who might otherwise develop AE.
Although exclusive breast-feeding has been advocated for the prevention of eczema in susceptible infants, there is no evidence that this is effective. There is also no definite evidence that organic dairy products help to reduce the risk of eczema, or that eating fish oil during pregnancy helps to prevent eczema in childhood.
For some patients who flare-up frequently, intermittent use of a topical steroid or calcineurin inhibitors may reduce the number of flare-ups.
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Who Strategy For Prevention And Control Of Asthma
Asthma is included in the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
WHO is taking action to extend diagnosis of and treatment for asthma in a number of ways.
The WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions was developed to help improve NCD management in primary health care in low-resource settings. PEN includes protocols for the assessment, diagnosis, and management of chronic respiratory diseases , and modules on healthy lifestyle counselling, including tobacco cessation, and self-care.
Reducing tobacco smoke exposure is important for both primary prevention of asthma and disease management. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is enabling progress in this area as are WHO initiatives such as MPOWER and mTobacco Cessation.
Eczema Is Sometimes Limited To The Hands
Eczema doesnt have to affect the entire body. Hand eczema comes with many of the same symptoms of regular dermatitisincluding chapped skin, painful cracks, red patches, and itchy blistersbut is limited to the hands and forearms. Many people without eczema deal with dry hands, especially during the colder months, so it can be difficult to know when these symptoms are signs of a medical condition. If your itchy, irritated hands cant be treated with moisturizer alone, ask a dermatologist if you may have hand eczema.
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What Does Atopic Eczema Look Like
Atopic eczema can affect any part of the skin, including the face, but the areas that are most commonly affected are the creases in the joints at the elbows and knees, as well as the wrists and neck . Other common appearances of AE include coin-sized areas of inflammation on the limbs , and numerous small bumps that coincide with the hair follicles .
Affected skin is usually red and dry, and scratch marks are common. When AE is very active, it may become moist and weep fluid and small water blisters may develop especially on the hands and feet. In areas that are repeatedly scratched, the skin may thicken , and this may cause the skin to itch more. Sometimes affected areas of the skin may become darker or lighter in colour than the surrounding, unaffected skin.
What Is The Impact Of Eczema
- 75 percent of those with eczema visit the doctor at least once a year and 12 percent missed 1 to 2 days of work due to their condition.3
- Studies estimate that each doctor visit for AD costs the patient $274.3
- 60 percent of children and up to 30 percent of adults with AD experience sleep problems.1
- Children with AD tend to develop other health conditions such as food allergies, hay fever, asthma, depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder .1
- Both children and adults with AD have an increased risk of getting serious bacterial, viral and fungal skin infections.1
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Whats The Risk In Taking Ibuprofen If You Have Asthma
If you have asthma, but arent aspirin-sensitive, you should be able to take ibuprofen as directed.
If you do have aspirin-sensitive asthma, ibuprofen can trigger symptoms of asthma or allergy. Symptoms of severe allergic reaction usually develop within a few hours after taking the drug. Some of them are:
- nasal congestion, runny nose
If youre ibuprofen-sensitive, its important to scrutinize medicine labels carefully. Avoid products that contain ibuprofen, aspirin, or any other NSAID.
Most people with asthma can safely take acetaminophen to treat fever or pain.
Certain asthma medications block leukotrienes. These include zafirlukast , montelukast , and zileuton . Ask your doctor if these medicines affect your ability to take ibuprofen. Your doctor can also guide you on the safest pain relievers, potential side effects, and what to do if you have an allergic reaction.
For frequent or chronic pain, your doctor may be able to provide alternate solutions based on the cause.
If youve had a bad reaction in the past and accidentally take ibuprofen, contact your doctor right away. Seek emergency medical care or call 911 if you have symptoms of severe allergic reaction such as:
- facial swelling
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Although the causes are not clear, experts believe the rise could be due to environmental factors associated with urbanisation.
The prevalence of atopic eczema has increased two- to three-fold over the last 40 years.
Atopic eczema affects up to 20 percent of children and up to three percent of adults in northern Europe – where the number is higher than in southern Europe. A Swedish study even reports that up to 50 percent of girls aged 13-15 suffer or have suffered from atopic eczema, compared to five percent in the south.
Another study from Statistics Netherlands revealed this week that 5.5 percent of the Dutch population suffer from atopic eczema compared to 4.5 percent almost 20 years ago.
“It is hard to say exactly how many Europeans suffer from atopic eczema because there is no clear definition of it”, said Susanna Palkonen, Director of the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations .
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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.
Why Are Cases Of Adult Eczema On The Increase
Dr Mervyn Patterson, cosmetic doctor at Woodford Medical, says there may be several reasons for the higher incidences of eczema, especially in women.
Females are more likely to encounter a whole variety of cosmetic products, perfumes, cleaning agents, detergents and common household materials that can cause irritation, he says.
A very high percentage of the population now identifies themselves as having sensitive skin and when this occurs on the face, the most likely triggers are ingredients within the multiple skincare products that are constantly being experimented with.
Dr Patterson says women may also be less likely to tolerate the appearance of dermatitis and therefore more likely to present themselves for treatment.
Females are also more likely by nature of their occupation to come into contact with known potent sensitisers such as hair colouring agents used in the hair industry, solvents and glues used by nail technicians, peeling materials used by beauty therapists and general cleaning materials, he says.
Healthcare professionals are also at much greater risk of sensitisation from materials used to sterilise the skin and frequent use of latex gloves.
Its also possible that changing hormone levels in women, particularly during pregnancy and at difference stages of their menstrual cycle, could be playing a role in the gender disparity of eczema sufferers.
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Eczema Is More Common In Kids
Eczema affects roughly 11 percent of U.S. children and 7 percent of adults . Most kids with eczema develop it within the first five years of life, with 65 percent percent of child eczema patients first showing symptoms as infants. Living with eczema can be taxing for both kids and parentsespecially when kids cant stop themselves from scratching their rashesbut fortunately, half of kids with the condition grow out of it by the time they reach their teen years.
Skin: Condition: Infomation Antibiotics And Antiseptics
If your AE becomes wet, weepy and crusted, it may be infected and a course of antibiotics may be needed. Antiseptics, when applied to the skin alone or as part of a moisturising preparation, can be helpful in stopping the infection. Incorrect use of antiseptics can, however, irritate the skin and make AE worse. Antiseptics should not be used continuously because this can result in excessive drying of the skin.
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Why Is It Important To Treat Eczema
Eczema can cause quality-of-life struggles. Its painful and extremely itchy. Its linked to an increase in depression and insomnia, and it can make some sufferers self-conscious about their appearance. Eczema is a chronic disease, and theres no cure, but staying on top of the symptoms can improve your quality of life.
Environmental Factors And Microbial Exposure
Significant variations in the prevalence between and within countries suggest environmental factors in addition to genetic factors as the main drivers of change in disease burden. Environmental risk factors such as climate, urban versus rural setting, diet, breastfeeding and time of weaning, obesity and physical exercise or tobacco smoke and pollution have been proposed .
Table 1
Environmental risk factors for AD
Also, studies have suggested that microbial exposure could influence the development of AD . The revised’ hygiene hypothesis states that the decrease in early childhood exposure to prototypical infections and, by extension, in any microbial exposure has increased the susceptibility to allergic disease. For AD, this hypothesis has been supported by some observations such as that the youngest among siblings has the lowest risk of AD or that AD risk is decreased in infants attending day care during their first year of life. The influence of a farm environment has also been extensively studied within cohorts . The results showed that rather than living on a farm, it is the consumption of unpasteurized farm milk during the first 2 years of life and the direct contact of pregnant mothers with farm animals which appeared to be protective .
Table 2
Individual factors linked to microbial exposure
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What Is The Most Common Treatment
We try to address all underlying problems that may be contributing to the eczema, including allergies, asthma and the patients skin care routine. Because eczematous skin cant seal itself tightly like it should, we try to do that artificially and make sure patients have a good skin care routine to keep as much moisture in the skin as possible. Its also important to avoid products that have fragrance or irritating chemicals, which can make eczema worse. The first line of treatment is typically a basic topical corticosteroid or other anti-inflammatory medication applied directly to the affected skin. They are safe, effective, and fairly easy to use. When thats not enough, we look at medicines given in pill and shot form. A specific type of light therapy is also an option for more serious cases.
Eczema Isn’t Just One Condition
Rather than describing one specific skin condition, eczema is used as a catch-all term for a group of related conditions. When people mention eczema, theyre often referring to atopic dermatitis: This is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by dry, itchy red patches that flare up across the body when the immune system overreacts to a trigger. Theres also contact dermatitis, which is when rashes are triggered by irritants coming in contact with the skin nummular eczema, when rashes are coin-shaped and stasis dermatitis, when fluid weeps out of weakened blood vessels in the skin. Eczema shouldn’t be confused with psoriasis: While both are conditions that lead to dry, itchy skin, the latter is an autoimmune condition while the former is primarily caused by allergic reactions.
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