Eczema Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Eczema is a term used to describe multiple types of inflamed skin conditions. Ten to twenty percent of the world's population suffer from a form of eczema. There are many indications the you may have eczema. The most predominant symptom is itchiness and recurring skin rashes. There normally will be excessive itchiness before the rash will appear. Other symptoms you may notice include bleeding, cracking, or oozing of the skin. Blisters, flaking skin, dry skin, and redness of your skin can also be good indicators that you may have eczema.

No one is completely certain of what causes eczema but there are many triggers that can cause eczema to flare up. The biggest trigger that is most predominant in many cases is a change in weather specifically temperature and/or humidity. Chemicals can also be irritants to the skin. Certain household cleaners, perfume, certain paints, and many pesticides often cause those diagnosed with eczema to have a flare up. Rough itchy fabrics such as wool has also been found to be a trigger. Another flare up trigger is emotional stress. The stress you put on yourself can easily be a factor into any type of eczema flare up. Everyone has different triggers and these are just some of the most common. Your doctor should be able to identify exactly what your specific triggers are and help you to avoid those items minimizing your outbreaks.

For your doctor to diagnose your eczema there are a few different evaluations he will use. While it is normally diagnosed just on the visual of red inflamed itchy skin, there are many other factors your doctor will take into consideration. First off there is a scoring system doctors use when determining eczema called SCORAD. Other information your doctor will need includes your family history, normal eating habits, any prescription medicines you may be taking, and any chemical exposure you may have at home or where you work. Doctors may also perform a blood test which will allow them to see the levels of your antibodies. There is also a patch test that may be administered to help diagnose eczema. This is where the irritant that is believed to be causing your outbreaks is applied to your skin in a contained area on a patch. There will also be a patch containing nothing placed on another area of your skin for comparison. If the patch with the irritant is removed and the skin is swollen and red it can be determined that that irritant is something you are allergic to. Lastly, in some cases the doctor may want to perform a skin biopsy to be sent to a laboratory for testing.

Many people do not realize that food can also be a trigger or cause of eczema. In recent years many studies have been done and it has been proven that certain foods do aid in causing eczema to flare up. Eczema is one of the most common symptom of food sensitivity. Eczema in both children and adults has been proven to exist in many individuals who have negative food reactions. Being allergic to wheat, soy, nuts, eggs or seafood is often times an indication that eczema may flare up. Casein which is found in milk is also a common food that causes eczema. Yeast and gluten are also two foods that most people with eczema need to stay away from as they both can cause horrible outbreaks of the skin condition.

While there is no known cure for eczema, there are many different types of treatment. The most common thing used to treat types of eczema are lotions and creams. Hydrocortisones or desonides are weak steroid that will help mild or moderate cases of eczema.

For more severe cases of eczema, clobetasol propionates or fluocinonides may be prescribed which are higher potent steroids. Hydrocortizone ointments can normally be purchased as over the counter medicine while the other types of treatment will require a prescription from your doctor.

In very severe cases of eczema your doctor may mention oral cortisosteroids or even injections. If you are prescribed prednisolone which is taken orally, you will notice a rapid improvement in your condition. Triamcinolone injections also cause very rapid improvement in any eczema case but this treatment does require a waiting period in between injections.

There are also many natural remedies believed to help treat eczema breakouts. Instead of scratching the itchy areas, try using a wet washcloth on the affected area. This will greatly reduce the factors in your skin that make you want to itch that area. Drink as much water as possible. Water will help to add moisture to your skin. Another great thing to do is learn how to manage your stress better. Perhaps yoga or meditation may be a route you should look into. Decreasing your stress levels can prove to decrease your eczema flare ups as well.

Also try going fragrance free in your household. Use unscented forms of soap, lotion, and laundry detergent. You may notice a huge difference in your skin by knocking the scents out of your everyday life. Small amounts of exposure to the sunlight may also prove to be beneficial for your eczema. Many people believe the ultraviolet rays in the sunshine have many healing powers. Of course too long of exposure to these rays can cause many other skin problems so never stay out in the direct sun for an extended period of time. Never take a bath in hot water. Instead use luke warm water and always pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Rubbing your skin will cause irritation. Remember to always apply a moisturizer to your skin after every bath to prevent further dryness of your skin.

I wanted to share my experience with fellow Eczema suffers.

My name is Ruth Fisher - well, I guess you already know :-) - and I suffered from eczema for many, many years. I tried everything I could find. I have tried every drug both over the counter and prescribed by a doctor. Every time my eczema would go away and every time my eczema would come back.

I finally discovered what the problem was. All of these treatments only treat the symptoms. None of them actually cure the cause of the eczema.

This can be a very dangerous choice as eczema can cause a lot of problems with your body.

A friend of mine, Jessica, was telling me about a website online that had an all natural cure for eczema. She said that the treatment actually cured the cause and not just the symptoms. I decided to give it a try.

The results were unbelievable. My eczema was gone in 2 weeks. Not only that but it has never came back. In the past, I would get eczema at least every couple of months. It has now been 9 months without any eczema

Since my friend Jess shared this with me, I wanted to share it with everyone else. Now it does cost money to get this information but it is only $29.99. I spent $100's on cures before this so it was the best $30 I have ever spent.  

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