Living Better With Eczema

The term eczema refers to a set of medical conditions which cause inflammation or irritation of skin. The most common type of eczema is termed as atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis. Atopic means a cluster of diseases with a usually inherited tendency to suffer from other allergic conditions, like hay fever and asthma.

In the US alone, around 10% to 20% of infants and around 3% of children and adults are affected by eczema. Most infants outgrow the condition when they reach the age of 10, while some individuals continue having symptoms on and off for their entire life. However, the disease can be controlled with proper treatment. Especially if you beware of dry skin,you can manage eczema well.

Symptoms of Eczema

The major symptom of eczema is itchiness of skin. Sometimes itching starts before the appearance of rashes. The rash appears most commonly on face, hands, wrists, back of knees or feet. It also affects other areas.

When affected by eczema, the skin appears very dry, thick or scaly. In fair-skinned individuals, the affected areas look reddish first and then they turn brown, while in dark-skinned individuals, eczema may affect pigmentation and the affected area turns lighter or darker.

In infants, there is a possibility of the itchy rash producing a crusting and oozing condition that appears mainly in the scalp and on face. However, patches may appear everywhere.

Causes of Eczema

The cause of eczema is not known yet. However it is thought that eczema is an overactive response of the immune system of the body to an irritant.

Besides, eczema commonly occurs in families having a history of asthma or other allergies. Also the skin barrier defects can allow germs in and moisture out.

There seems to be a vast variation in the causes of dry itchy skin in different people. Some people develop itchy rash because of specific substances or conditions, while some others develop them after getting in touch with some coarse material. For some others, exposure to certain soaps or detergents, extreme heat or cold or contact with animal dander may cause itchy rash. In some patients, upper respiratory tract infections may trigger the condition and stress can worsen the condition.

Though there is no definite cure, most patients can control the disease with medical treatment and by keeping away from irritants. Good thing is eczema is not contagious.

Treatment

Treatment of eczema aims at relieving and preventing itching, which can cause infection. Since the skin becomes dry and itchy, creams and lotions are prescribed to keep skin moist. They are usually applied on damp skin, e.g. after a bath, to help skin hold moisture. Itching can also be relieved by cold compresses.

OTC products like hydrocortisone 1% cream or prescription ointments and creams containing corticosteroids are also usually prescribed to reduce inflammation. And if the affected area is infected, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics too.

Other treatments are antihistamines to reduce harsh itching, tar treatments, phototherapy (using UV rays) and drug cyclosporine for those who don’t respond to other treatments.

Prevention of Flare-ups of Eczema

Some simple measures can prevent or lessen eczema outbreaks, like:

Frequent moisturizing of skin
Avoid abrupt changes in humidity and temperature
Avoid overheating and sweating
Stress reduction
Avoid scratchy material like wool
Avoid strong soaps, solvents and detergents
Keep an eye on foods that cause the outbreak and avoid them

Thus, though you cannot completely cure your eczema, you can control it well and improve your quality of life.

Tips To Relieve Eczema Home Remedies To Help You Ease The Symptoms Of Eczema

As all eczema sufferers know, they are stuck with the skin condition for life. Eczema is a chronic skin disorder that has no cure, but it can be managed to reduce the severity of symptoms and the frequency of eczema flare-ups or outbreaks.

The major symptoms that characterize the disease are rashes and itchiness. The affected skin area can appear red or brownish-gray, blistery, leathery, thick, scaly or cracked. At times, small, raised bumps may be seen on the skin. Out of these, fluid may seep out when scratched, and then the bumps crust and heal.

The common locations of these rashes and bumps are the elbows, knees, arms, hands and feet. They can also appear on the face, especially the eyelids, around the eyes, and on the cheeks. They can be very unsightly, and the person will normally want to stay at home until the facial rashes disappear.

Some tips to relieve eczema during a flare-up are:

Apply creams and ointments to relieve the itching. Most over-the-counter anti-itch topical medications will bring relief.

Avoid harsh soaps and chemicals which can further irritate the skin. Scented commercial skin products are potential irritants.

Also avoid long baths (especially warm baths) to prevent aggravating the skin outbreak.

Avoid triggers that may induce an eczema flare-up or worsen one when it is already underway. Triggers can include strong perfumes, rough clothing, heat, sweating, stress, low humidity, drastic temperature changes, and exposure to cats and dogs.

Also avoid food triggers such as eggs, fish, milk, and soy products.

Meanwhile, these are tips to relieve eczema that are specifically aimed at breaking the itch-scratch cycle:

Use cold or wet compresses to relieve the itching.

Wear soft mittens at night.

Keep the fingernails short.

Take over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl.

Wrap the skin with loose gauze wraps to protect it from scratches.

Apply moisturizers.

The itchiness may increase at night, and scratching can occur during sleep, so be prepared beforehand by using these tips to relieve eczema. It is important to avoid scratching because this can lead to scars and infection. When the skin becomes infected, it may be necessary to take antibiotics under medical supervision.

It is also important to use natural and organic items as much as possible when treating eczema. Many commercial soaps, shampoos and skin products contain sodium hydroxide, propylene glycol and sodium lauryl sulfate. These substances aggravate eczema for many people. Likewise, dyes and perfumes in laundry products, and most fabric softeners, are unsafe for eczema sufferers. It is recommended that vinegar be used instead as a natural fabric softener.

Instead of OTC anti-itch creams, one can also opt to use natural, herbal mixtures instead. A variety of natural ingredients can be used in the making of homemade anti-itch pastes and lotions. These ingredients include blueberry leaves, dandelion leaves, camphor, sandalwood, nutmeg, spearmint leaves, turmeric powder, papaya seeds, neem leaves, and virgin coconut oil. Most of these can be pounded or crushed, and then mixed with a few drops of oil to form a paste or lotion. It then should be placed on the affected area, and left on for ten to thirty minutes.

Out of these many tips to relieve eczema, anyone who has the skin condition is sure to find at least a few remedies that he can use.

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Lip Eczema

Lip eczema is associated with the medical terms atopic dermatitis and cheilitis exploliativa or exfoliative cheilitis. Eczema that is present on the lips falls under the atopic dermatitis category which means that there is a part of the skin that has reddish patches and is typically tender and infected. Like any other type of this particular skin disorder, lip eczema gives a person the urgency to scratch the affected area thus, creating sore and blistered spots on the lips.

Exfoliative cheilitis, on the other hand, is a more particular attribute to lip eczema wherein the lips has the tendency to be so dry that crusts form over them. In this specific instance, the person is more likely to peel off the parched skin on their lips. This condition of the lips takes place repeatedly over a lengthy span of time making it such a distressing situation to be in. Aside from physical and emotional stress, a person’s appetite is also affected.

Time to Seek Some Valuable Help It is bewildering that no matter how advanced the scientific and medical world is right now, there is still no established cure for lip eczema. There are, nonetheless, various alternative treatments that work to diminish and taper the symptoms of eczema preventing the onset from getting increasingly worse. Mild cases of lip eczema are controllable through the use of trusted OTC’s or over the counter medicine. For serious cases, one will need a dermatologist’s prescription to be able to purchase the required medications. Recommended OTC’s and prescribed medicine for lip eczema may include:

Antihistamines Lip eczema can be so irritating and scratchy, making the situation unbearable. Antihistamines are suggested to counteract histamine, an allergen. This is also a sleep inducer so it is best taken at night. Antihistamines cause the muscles to relax. When this happens, rubbing or scratching the affected surface is minimized.

Hydrocortisone Ointments and creams containing 1% hydrocortisone lessen itching of swollen lips. This also aids in reducing soreness. Application is done after a regular bath. This corticosteroid is mild in nature and is thinly spread over the damaged area.

Antibiotic Medication Once the lips are parched, the skin tends to break leaving small cuts that may be sensitive to bacteria. Unprotected as it is, the lips are vulnerable to other germs or microorganisms. Antibiotic medications act right away to remedy the predicament by directly eradicating the infectious bacteria.

On Using Hypoallergenic Skin Care Products When purchasing skin care products especially if you are prone to lip eczema, you have to be cautious in finding the right moisturizer, lip balm, lip cream, facial soap and body lotion. It pays to examine the label. Hypoallergenic brands are said to minimize allergic reactions. They do not include chemicals or elements that are harsh. Gentle products for skin care are suggested if a person is prone to skin disorders like lip eczema.

Finally, keeping the body hydrated each day by taking in eight to ten glasses of fresh and safe drinking water is a must. Learning to cope with the risks of skin problems is doable for as long as we are armed with the right information.

For more information please read this article on Lip Eczema and on Skin Disorder Treatments.

Knowing The Symptoms Of Eczema And How To Cure Your Eczema 101

Itchiness and rashes are some of the most common symptoms of eczema. To learn more about the signs of eczema and how to treat eczema, continue reading this piece.

Eczema is a skin disorder that is also referred to by health experts as -the itch that rashes’. If you’re suffering from it, for sure, you want to find out immediately how you can cure your eczema. For people who are not sure whether or not they have eczema, it is best to become aware of the symptoms of eczema, then, proceed to the doctor and have themselves checked up.

The Signs Of Eczema

Among the very first symptoms of the condition called eczema is extreme itching. After a while, the individual may notice the appearance of rashes. Those rashes are characterized by bumpiness and redness, and, aside from itching, those rashes also bring about burning sensations. Scratching the eczema rash may lead to crustiness and very thick skin plaques, that are, of course, quite irritating. If an eczema patient isn’t able to utilize eczema home treatment, or an OTC medication prescribed by his or her physician, the patient can suffer from the development of cracks on the skin that are painful. More often than not, you may also have a hard time falling asleep if you’re suffering from the symptoms of eczema.

The Right Time To Seek Medical Help

Those who want to know how to treat eczema should also know when the right time is to seek professional advice. True, you can purchase OTC creams that can give relief from eczema and other skin maladies however, if you’ve been applying those creams 2X per day, and still, the rash is still uncontrolled, it is advisable to head to the hospital immediately.

In the event that the patient feels so uncomfortable that he or she is unable to sleep, go to school, go to work, and so on, then, the eczema home treatment methods may not be working that much, which is why there is a need to see a physician and take prescribed treatments.

Home Remedies For Eczema

Some eczema sufferers find out that natural home treatments work well in providing relief from eczema. For instance, if the cause of eczema is being allergic to your detergent or fabric conditioner, then, one good way to cure your eczema is to buy another brand of detergent/fabric conditioner. Another advice on how to treat eczema naturally is for you to use mild bath soap, then, prevent your skin from drying by applying an emollient right after you take a bath, before you towel or rub yourself dry.

Another way to treat the symptoms of eczema is to refrain from wearing clothes that are too tight, scratchy, or rough. An eczema home treatment, or method, is actually for you to make an effort to avoid sweating too much. For example, when you’re currently suffering from eczema flare ups, avoid engaging in strenuous work out sessions.

One more solution that will help cure your eczema is to make sure that you fight off stress, both physical and emotional. It is a good idea to take a break from work from time to time, engage in activities that relax you e.g. going to the spa, perform your hobby e.g. sports activities, reading, etc.

The many symptoms of eczema can really make you suffer. It is a must that you find out how to treat eczema, and of course, consult your doctor about it.

Karen Winton is a content writer and e-book/program reviewer. To get long term relief from eczema naturally, check out: Eczema Diet Secrets. For an effective system that cures eczema, see: Heal Eczema.

Eczema Homeopathy – Natural Products For Your Skin

Eczema homeopathy is the road less traveled in the field of eczema treatments. Even though it has grown in popularity over the years, it is still the least favored among all possible treatment choices for eczema as people tend to opt for medicines that have been scientifically formulated. Medical management does have the advantage of giving instant eczema relief but it scores low when it comes to having a long-lasting effect. Eczema homeopathy is the best treatment option because it manages eczema on a long-term basis with the added benefit of a healthier body and a stronger immune system.

Symptoms caused by eczema such as itching red bumps are highly irritating. The unendung itch and discomfort associated with eczema can affect your daily activities because all you want to do is scratch yourself. To get rid of the itch, people suffering from eczema rash tend to purchase over-the-counter treatments which come in the form of topical creams or oral medicines. Even though these treatments are proven to be effective in reducing the symptoms of eczema, they only provide temporary relief because they only address the effects of eczema on the body.

I’m not saying that seeking temporary relief from eczema is a bad thing. OTC eczema treatments provide the quickest fix and the most immediate relief for eczema. Therefore, it is understandable why people think of these treatment methods first before others. But as temporary treatments of eczema, they do not permanently resolve eczema or at least provide long-term eczema relief. That is because each time that your eczema symptoms come out, you have to regularly take in those eczema medicines or topically apply cream on your skin.

Unlike medical treatments, natural treatments for eczema such as eczema homeopathy have the ability to control your eczema for longer periods as long as you stick with it. With little to no possibility of developing itching bumps, you will then have no need to seek medical treatment to help you with your symptoms. Eczema homeopathy is able to do this because it basically takes on a protective role in the emergence of your eczema symptoms.

Eczema homeopathy utilizes nature to incorporate ingredients in what is known as an eczema diet. Science has already proved that food has a direct link to eczema in that some food types are known to cause eczema symptoms to appear. With the eczema diet however, you will be able to manage your eczema and avoid developing any symptoms at all. Eating organic food is one of the best ways that you can improve your immune system and the eczema diet is specifically designed to build your immune system against eczema.

There are four food groups to watch out for concerning eczema homeopathy – biogenic food, bioactive food, biostatic food, and bioacidic food. Biogenic foods are those that can regenerate the body’s tissues and cells. This food group is essential because it repairs the skin damage resulting from eczema. Bioactive foods should be 50 percent of the eczema diet because they are capable of cleansing the body and improving bodily functions like the transportation of nutrients and oxygen. Cooked biostatic foods must be 25 percent of the diet because it adds richness to your meals. Aside from that, cooked food is also easier to digest and will provide you with needed energy.

Lastly, foods that are part of the bioacidic food group should be avoided. These foods do not contain any nutrients at all and will only weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to eczema. Examples of foods belonging to this group are soft drinks, junk food, flour, starch, and sugar. If you want to help your body combat eczema, take in biogenic, bioactive, and biostatic foods and avoid bioacidic foods.

The only way that you can fight off your eczema is to assist your body in the fight. Only eczema homeopathy is capable of doing so because it naturally boosts your immune system and makes it strong enough to counteract eczema on its own, even without the use of standard OTC eczema treatments.