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Eczema
Overview
Eczema is a skin reaction pattern that occurs in a number of disorders, not a particular illness. On top of red, elevated plaques, it starts as tiny, raised, blood-red blisters filled with a clear fluid. The damaged skin will bleed and ooze as the blisters rupture. Blisters are less noticeable and the skin is thicker, raised, and scaling in older and chronic cases of eczema.
Types
Eczema can be brought on by at least 11 different kinds of skin diseases. It's crucial to make a distinction between them in order to create a logical treatment strategy. This is not always simple.
The following are a few of the 11 skin problems that can result in eczema:
Atopic dermatitis is a genetically based medical disorder that causes a prevalent form of eczema. In people who are predisposed to inhalant allergies, atopic dermatitis frequently manifests in infancy, but it is unlikely to be caused by allergies. Rashes typically appear on the cheeks, neck, creases of the elbows and knees, and ankles.
When the skin is continually exposed to hazardous substances or extensive washing, irritant dermatitis develops.
Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the body's immune recognition system becomes activated at the location of the subsequent encounter to the same substance, an allergen, and results in dermatitis. An illustration of this is an allergy to poison ivy.
Despite having a pattern that resembles many other types of eczema, fungi can be seen by scraping under a microscope or growing in culture.
Scabies: This condition, which is brought on by an infection of the human itch mite, can cause a rash that resembles other types of eczema.
Pompholyx (also known as dyshidrotic eczema) is a widespread but poorly understood disease that typically affects the hands and, in rare cases, the feet. It causes an itchy rash with tiny blisters (vesicles) on the sides of the fingers or toes, the palms or soles, and an uncomfortable rash all over the body.
Lichen simplex chronicus: This condition causes thicker skin plaques that are typically present on the neck and shins.
Eczema with xerotic (dry skin) characteristics: If the skin is too dry, it will crack and ooze.
Seborrheic dermatitis: In adults, it results in a rash on the scalp, face, ears, and sporadically the mid-chest. It can cause a widespread rash that covers the entire body in infants and looks weepy and oozy behind the ears.
Consulting Doctor
Family doctors frequently treat eczema, but because there are numerous causes of eczema, it could be important to contact a health professional if things are not getting better. The majority of dermatologists are experts in identifying and treating all types of eczema.
Symptoms
The majority of eczema patients report having itchy skin. Although the majority of eczema kinds share a similar look (elevated plaques of red, rough skin), it is possible to identify between them based on the location of the eruption. For instance, atopic dermatitis typically affects the area in front of the elbow and behind the knee, whereas stasis dermatitis more frequently affects the lower thigh.
Common eczema signs and symptoms include:
strong itching
areas of red or reddish gray
Several small, raised lumps that, if scratched, could release fluid
Crusting brought on by drained fluid
related to a subsequent infection, pus discharge
hefty skin
Cracked, scaly, and dry skin
Eczema getting worse after scratching
Causes
Atopic eczema patients frequently have extremely dry skin because their skin is incapable of holding onto moisture. This dryness may increase the likelihood that the skin will itch and hurt when specific triggers are applied.
Because of the genes you receive from your parents, you can be born with a higher risk of getting atopic eczema.
According to research, children who have one or both of their parents suffer from atopic eczema or who have siblings who also have the condition are more likely to get it themselves.
Since atopic eczema is not contagious, close contact cannot transmit the condition.
Typical causes include:
environmental elements or allergens, including cold, dry weather, dampness, and more specific things like house dust mites, pet fur, pollen, and molds, as well as irritants like soaps and detergents, including shampoo, washing-up liquid, and bubble bath.
allergies to particular foods, such as those to cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, or wheat; and allergies to certain materials worn adjacent to the skin, such wool and synthetic fabrics.
hormonal changes - women may notice that their symptoms worsen in the days leading up to their menstruation or while pregnant.
Additionally, some claim that when the air is dry or dusty, when they are anxious, perspiring, or when it is too hot or too cold, their symptoms worsen.
A doctor will work with you to try to pinpoint any triggers for your symptoms if you are diagnosed with atopic eczema.
Treatment
When treating acute eczema, which has extensive weeping and oozing, it is necessary to apply diluted vinegar or water solutions repeatedly in the form of compresses, followed by evaporation. After the compress, this is most frequently readily accomplished by positioning the injured body part in front of a fan. Topical steroid treatments, such as triamcinolone cream, can be successful once the acute weeping has subsided.
Pimecrolimus cream (Elidel) and tacrolimus ointment (Protopic), both topical calcineurin inhibitors, are used to treat mild to moderate eczema.Dupilumab (Dupixent), an injectable biologic (monoclonal antibody), cures severe instances of eczema that have not responded to conventional therapies.
Compresses made of tepid water followed by room air evaporation may be effective for treating mild eczema.
Applying water first, then an emollient (moisturizing cream or lotion), can help with chronic eczema.
1% hydrocortisone cream, available without a prescription, is an effective treatment for mild eczema.
Tests Required for Diagnosis
A thorough medical history and inspection of the entire skin area are necessary for an accurate diagnosis. A physician must rule out treatable disorders brought on by infectious diseases. Occasionally, a skin biopsy sample will be submitted to a lab for analysis.
