What is eczema? It’s an inflammatory skin disease that causes red, itchy, scaly patches of skin to form in all areas of the body. This can occur anywhere on the body from the face to the fingertips. Eczema tends to be in most areas of the body in colder areas and is mostly found in individuals who have a family history of allergies or asthma.
Eczema often appears during adolescence but can be developed at any age. The outermost layer of skin in the middle of the body, the epidermis, is responsible for most of the skin damage and redness associated with eczema. In people with eczema, a white crusty substance, sometimes referred to as “scaly crust”, forms over the skin. It appears thick and rough like flour. It may become itchy feeling.
People who suffer from contact eczema have some differences in their flare-ups from those who do not. The severity of the condition often determines the severity of the flare-up. Sometimes, it is described as reddening of the skin over the entire body, especially the face and arms.
Food particles are often the culprit of the irritation that people with eczema feel. After the food has been eaten, there are sometimes irritants left in the body, even after the food has been excreted.
A very common type of contact eczema is hives. Hives are extremely painful or even cause death when large numbers of hives break out. If they do break out, they often pop right back into being hives, which are extremely painful.
Symptoms of eczema can appear in an infant that has just been born or a person that is already older. Some people also experience itching, flaking, and dryness of the skin.
Mild to moderate cases of eczema can be treated with skin creams and lotions. These creams and lotions will often have mild or natural ingredients.
Certain types of prescription medication can also be used to treat the condition. Topical corticosteroids and antibiotics are some of the more common medications used for eczema. Oral corticosteroids and azoles are prescribed when not enough topical creams and lotions are working.
Sometimes doctors prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection that’s causing the redness, itching, and dryness. This is usually used when a bad infection, such as strep throat, is causing the person’s eczema. Drugs used for this purpose can cause serious side effects if you are taking a prescription drug to treat your eczema.
Alternative therapies options for treating eczema are available, but it is usually up to the patient to research which option would be best suited for him. Alternative therapies include herbal treatments, homeopathic treatments, and infrared therapy. Some other methods used include acupuncture, herbal remedies, herbal supplements, etc.
Natural treatments for eczema include an increased amount of water intake, daily exercise, diet modification, managing stress, improved immune system function, and nutritional supplementation. All of these factors contribute to providing a healthier body and immune system.
