1. Eczema Affects Mostly Infants
Eczema is a non-contagious type of skin inflammation that causes the surface to flake and get itchy. It comes and goes in flare-ups and can be distressing and inconvenient to adults since it looks bad and leaves little pieces of skin everywhere. While adults aren't immune to getting eczema, the majority of eczema sufferers are young children. About half of infants who have eczema no longer have this chronic skin condition by the age of 3.
2. Watch Out for Flare-ups
Different people experience different symptoms of eczema. Signs of this condition can include rough, thickened skin, moderate to severe itchiness, patches of skin that are dry, scaly and red, and sores caused by scratching, which ooze watery fluids. These symptoms come and go, which means that they may be worse at one time more than another. They may even go completely away for a period of time. When the symptoms return, sometimes severely, it's called a flare-up. Flare-ups can be triggered by overheating, sweating, perfume, dust, abrasive clothing, low humidity and if skin comes into contact with an irritant like soap.
3. Avoiding Eczema
Doctors and researchers don't know the exact cause of eczema. It does appear to be hereditary, though. If a parent or grandparent has it, there's as high as an 80 percent chance that immediate offspring will get it too. Since eczema is heredity, you can't avoid getting it. But you can reduce exposure to some of the irritants that can aggravate this skin condition. These irritants include chemicals, solvents, tobacco smoke and extreme weather conditions. Stress can also aggravate eczema, so it's important to learn how to effectively handle stress. Also certain foods can make the condition worse. You'll have to do a little trial and error to find out if this is the case for you. Foods to watch out for are: wheat and dairy products, food preservatives, food colorings, eggs, citrus fruits and nuts.
4. 7 Types of Eczema
Not all eczema is the same. 7 types of eczema exist, with the most common being atopic dermatitis, which is chronic. Contact eczema is a localized reaction to an allergen. Seborrheic eczema causes yellow, oily and scaly patches on mostly the face and scalp. Nummular eczema is also chronic and shows up as coin-shaped patches of red skin on the arms, lower legs, back and buttocks. Dyshidrotic eczema cause blisters that burn on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Stasis dermatitis is lower leg irritation caused by circulatory problems, and neurodermatitis causes a severe skin reaction to a localized itch like an insect bite.
5. Please Stop the Itching!
Treatment to stop the itching and inflammation of eczema usually involves lifestyle changes to avoid triggers and making sure your skin is well-hydrated. Use creams with high oil and low water content. Sometimes doctors will prescribe topical and oral corticosteroids.
