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| English: Author: Myself. This is a photograph taken of a member of my family suffering from dyshidrotic dermatitis. Permission has been given by the subject of the photograph and myself to use this photo on wikipedia. eczema (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Types of eczema and treatment of the Ezcema
In this article, we focus on the types of eczema, including symptoms of eczema, the causes of eczema and eczema treatments.
Atopic Eczema / Atopic Dermatitis
The most common type of eczema, sometimes called infantile eczema because it is very common in babies less than a year. Up to 20% of children suffer from atopic eczema, but less than 5% of adults. The good news is that most of the children "grow out of it", even if it is not pleasant waiting for you or your child to "grow out of it. Atopic means having an allergic reaction to things, suffering from atopic eczema also suffer often asthma and hay fever. Although certain allergens
is the most likely cause of eczema causes of eczema can be genetic, cultural, environmental, social or racial. As eczema is more common in Western cultures and is known to be frequently caused by an allergic reaction - the good news in this regard
are that, in particular atopic eczema can be greatly improved by a special diet plan - who needs a bit of work on behalf of the victim and / or parents.
Treatment / care
Reducing exposure to allergens causing the condition (see the link on my blog)
Regular emollients / moisturizers (my blog will give you a link to an eczema Cream Natural DIY)
Hydrocortisone, steroids, antibiotics and other medical treatments should be used only when guided by your physician / doctor.
Irritant Contact Eczema / Allergic Contact eczema / Contact Dermatitis
Contact eczema is probably the simplest type to understand, diagnose and treat eczema. It grows on specific areas of the skin that comes in contact with some allergen or irritant. When the allergen or irritant is identified and deleted eczema clears.
Allergens include: nickel (common in jewelry), other metals, perfumes and soaps, rubber, cement, resins and glues, plants, sugar, flour, fruit, fish and meat.
Irritant dermatitis is most common in the workplace where that
hands are often wet and is sometimes called occupational dermatitis.
Irritants include: hairdressing materials, food packaging materials, and foods including fishery products, engineering, oils, detergents and bleach.
The irritant liquid (or even water) softens the upper layers of the skin and allows delicate irritating access to deeper layers.
Treatment / care
Pretty
simple (but may need trial and error to identify the culprit) - remove the allergen or Irritant.
For those who develop Contact Dermatitis in their work / occupation, a form of protective gloves are essential - in extreme circumstances, a change of occupation may be necessary.
Varicose eczema / gravitational eczema / dermatitis stasis / venous eczema
Varicose eczema is usually caused by defective valves in the veins, usually in the lower leg. Sufferers are usually elders who suffer from varicose veins or thrombosis in the legs.
Treatment / care
Avoid injury to the skin
Elevate the legs when sitting or in bed
Stay active, often walk
Use emollients / moisturizers
Think before using herbal solutions that could cause an allergic reaction
Consult a physician before all-
Dyshidrotic Eczema / Pompholyx / vesicular eczema
Dyshidrotic Eczema is a form of blisters on the hands and feet. The Dyshidrotic eczema cause is uncertain, but it can be caused by emotional or nervous tension, but can also be a reaction of cobalt, nickel or chrome. Excessive heat or sweat can aggravate the situation.
Treatment / care
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Dyshidrotic eczema
As with other types of eczema, emollients / moisturizers can help
Consult a physician before all-
Discoid eczema / Nummular Dermatitis
Most prevalent in adults with dry skin, less frequent in children and adolescents. Usually takes the form of a piece in the shape of discs of eczema on any part of the body. Disc or oval may be a doughnut shape or a filled circle / oval. Central heating and excessive heat can aggravate the situation.
Treatment / care
Keep the area clean and hydrated with
emollients / moisturizers
Use of steroids or cream
hydrocortisone - but only as directed by a physician
Ultraviolet light can help, but yet again, first consult your doctor
If the condition worsens when the pollen is high use of antihistamines may be beneficial
See more detail including images of discoid eczema in my eczema blog (link below)
Asteatotic Eczema / eczema cracquelee / Crackle of eczema / dermatitis Asteatotic
Is the most widespread in more than 60's, often associated with a loss of natural skin oils. Shows like cracks (the French word "Crackle" means covered with cracks, sometimes described as the surface of old
China dishes), who frequently appears on the ankles. More frequent in winter and in cold climates.
Treatment / care
Avoid hot baths long
Restrict the use of hard skin cleaners and SOAP
Humidify the air
conditioning rooms
Use emollients / moisturizers generously
Seborrhoeic eczema / scalp Eczema / dermatitis Seborrheic / Cradle Cap
Adult seborrhoeic eczema often starts as dandruff of
flacky spots on the scalp.
Seborric eczema is a common form of childhood eczema often starts less than 6 months of age. The red rash on the scalp is sometimes called Cradle Cap. In adults and children, it can spread to other parts of the face. In children / babies the red rash is usually more than one fat red rash that most common of atopic eczema
Treatment / care
For adults or children a doctor / pharmacist should be consulted
Shampoos and special treatments are available on order
- Resolved Question
My nephew is 3yrs old and has very bad eczema we have tried everything please help?
things we have tried range from stop using dairy products coal&tar cream(which burnt his skin)steroids,aquairus cream and nothing has worked its so bad hes bleeding with it,it dont matter how many doctors we go to they keep giving the same creams and antiboitics any suggestion s wud be great thanks
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Get back to your doctor and ask for 2 things.
1 - For your son to be tested for allergies.
2. To see a dermatologist.
Dont use scented soaps on him or his clothes, use cotton bedding, clothes etc, try ointments rather than creams, and avoid steriod creams if you can, as they cause thinning of the skin.
I know how bad it is, my own son has ezcema that covers 99% of his body, and he has tried everything from UVA light treatment to steriods to Hospital stays for ictopaste bandaging and wet wraps. He is now on immunosuppressant treatment, which seems to be helping. He is so bad he actually gets disablity/mobility for his condition.
Ezcema cant be cured but once under control life can get better.
Good Luck and I hope you get as good a Dermatologist as my son.
Other Answers (14)
This may sound a bit weird, I have no personal experience of eczema, but I swear by olive oil for virtually everything, our GP prescribed it when my daughter had a dry skin condition in infancy, which did not turn out to be eczema. I would also suggest, and this will sound really bad, not washing too much, because the skin contains all sorts of natural lubricants which are damaged by too much washing. You might also want to consider if you are using any sorts of soaps and shampoos that aren't helping, I just use olive oil soap from the local Turkish shop but this might not suit everyone. Sorry not to be more helpful, but good luck anyway.
Here are a few things you can try:
Use moisturizing creams and lotions often.
Avoid things that trigger rashes, such as harsh soaps and detergents, dander, and any other things you are allergic to.
Control scratching. You may want to cover the rash with a bandage to keep from rubbing it. Put mittens or cotton socks on your baby's hands to help prevent him or her from scratching.
Use medicine prescribed by your doctor.
Bathe with cool or lukewarm-not hot-water and for short periods.
In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe pills or give you a shot to stop the itching. Or you may get ultraviolet (UV) light treatment at a clinic or doctor’s office.
Do not use Aveeno anything...especially stuff with oats in it...it will dry the skin out more. I went to a dermatologist, and she told me to stop taking hot baths/showers, but to bathe with lukewarm water, use Dove Sensitive skin body wash (I hate to promote any product, but it really worked for me) and immediately after I step out of the water, to PAT dry lightly, then apply a thick layer of Aqueous cream, and let it sink in (don't rub it so that there are no more white streaks). You can also use the other creams pharmacists use to mix with prescriptions, I currently use one called Ratio-base, it contains more oil than Aqueous, but NO lanolin, and actually works better for me. After a few weeks of doing this, my eczema cleared up, and as long as I stick to this routine, the eczema doesn't come back! The cream is relatively cheap, considering I had been spending hundreds before on prescription creams that didn't work! I hope this helps!!!
Its so stressful, I know, my son started at 15mths. Was given the usual creams from the dr, they didnt help.
Saw a program on TV detailing the use of probiotics with babies with eczema (Perth, Aus). Do a search on eczema and probiotics, there is heaps of info.
We found the one that worked for us was a refrigerated variety called Primadophilus Reuteri. (same friendly bacteria a mother gives in her breastmilk). Start off with one capsule (break open into milk or favourite drink) then after a couple of weeks up to a maximum dosage of three capsules.
The effect for my boy and friends who have tried it with the same eczema problem was fantastic. The skin is like new, you would not realise my son has eczema. He is now on maintenance dosage of one a day and it has helped his whole immune system. No bad tummies and very mild case of colds etc. (4yrs old now)
I have not had to worry about what he eats. Some eczema is said to be caused by leaky gut syndrome.
I am careful what I wash him and his clothes with. The eco products out now are great and not too expensive.
You may need to get this particular probiotic from the US. I used to use betterlife.com. They were excellent and the most reasonably priced. I have also heard that infacol are using the same bacteria in a new product.
If you cant find Primadophilus Reuteri, a bifidus variety (refrigerated) will also work. Depends on the brands available.
Good luck
Source(s):
mother with a child who has eczema beat. Bedtime now! (NZ)
There are no cures for eczema, only managements. Here are a list of dos and don'ts:
Things not to do:-
Don't use biological powders
Don't use fabric softeners
Don't use soap or detergents to wash with
Don't use standard shower gels or bath additives
Things to do :-
Try Fairy Snow -the old fashioned powder
Use dryer balls
Use a soap free cleanser to wash hands etc.
Use a moisturising shower gel like Oilatum
Use a moisture bath additive like Aveeno
Use a good moisturiser like Aveeno
Use it very frequently, you can't over-moisturise!
Use antihistamines for itch, a sedative one such piriton is useful in youngsters.
You may need to use steroids creams/ointments for flare up areas. Use the mildest you can, for the shortest time possible if possible stick to 1% hydrocortisone in this age group and never more than this on the face.
Sorry if you knew all of that already :-(
Source(s):
GP for more years than I care to rmember
A class of nonsteroidal medications called immunomodulators, such as tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel), may help treat seborrheic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. These medications affect the immune system and have anti-inflammatory and mild antifungal properties
prescribe medications to soothe the redness and irritation, such as creams or ointments that contain corticosteroids, or antihistamine pills
try aveeno bath powder for skin rashes it works really good stops the irritation
medicines
Antihistamines - Prescription strength antihistamines relieve symptoms without drowsiness, allowing you to carry on with your normal activities.
Corticosteroids - A short course of an oral steroid is sometimes given if the rash is severe. A long course is rarely prescribed because of the many side effects.
Antibiotic pills or an antifungal cream may be prescribed if your health care provider is concerned about infection.
are you sure its something else instead of ecezma becasue it is often mistaked for other simliar skin problems
cover him in Vaseline when hes ready to itch or before that if you can
use the steroid creams they are usually the best ones to clear it up
E45 is also good for keeping the skin moisturized
theres a brand called oilatum u can purchase their products at the chemist - get the bath one - its slippery but its good for the skin
good luck
Source(s):
eczema sufferer for 17 yrs !
Things I found helped my son (he had Eczema and Asthma from birth, and is now 24yrs, with both things well under control)
DON'T: Use soap,
use soap POWDER for washing,
use anything containing perfume or Lanolin
let pets rub around him
Have the house too warm
DO: Use SURCARE liquid for laundry (Sainsbury's sells it)
keep skin MOIST. Lots of PLAIN creams (SIMPLE)
Encourage him to drink LOTS of water throughout the day
get the G.P. to refer him to a Dermatologist.
Ask the doctor for an emoillient to use for washing your nephew, instead of soap
Make him wash his hands after stroking pets
make him wear COTTON gloves in bed (sold at BOOTS)
have his bedroom cool.
Get ANTI-ALLERGEN duvet covers, pillows, etc.
Source(s):
experience. Hope theses tips help.
My son had bad eczema when he was 1 and we were told to remove dairy from his diet which didn't help.
When he was almost 3 we discovered that it was tomatoes and oranges that were causing it. We removed these from his diet for a few years. We have gradually introduced them back into his diet just to test if he had grown out of his allergy. He is 9 now and doesn't have a problem anymore, although he does have scars from the steroid creams that were prescribed to him when he was at his worst.
Try removing acidic foods, it can't hurt.
Goats milk was recommended to us too, but we didn't get around to trying that.
Strawberries and Kiwi Fruit can cause flare ups too.
Ok though my answer isnt as good as ones above there are some things you must do
use surcare for washing clothes it is soft on skin and doesnt use any ad like things, my family have sirices and eczma-i dont know how to spell them soz! but wee find them useful to use
dont use water to often
dont go swimming my brother hasn gone swimming in years i know this sounds annoeying but if it gets better now then later on he might still be able to go swimming
There are some gentle creams that do work from health care shops and organic shops.
you know, i heard in the newspaper the other day, that stinging nettles cure eczema, and the docs confirmed this, i ain't giving any guarantees but it's worth a try to ask.
Arbonne baby line is great for anyone that has skin problems!! I have seen it help so many! There also is a skin oil that is great for eczema!
http://www.arbonnemarketing.com/PDF/FOD/…
Source(s):
My Profile!!!
My son had eczema on his scalp. It wasnt until he had allergy testing done and started getting shots and not eating what he was allergic to food wize. Good Luck!
Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Moisturizing is one of the most important self-care treatments for sufferers of eczema. Keeping the affected area moistened can promote skin healing and relief of symptoms.
Soaps and harsh detergents should not be used on affected skin because they can strip natural skin oils and lead to excessive dryness. Instead, the use of moisturizing body wash, or an emollient like aqueous cream, will maintain natural skin oils and may reduce some of the need to moisturize the skin. Another option is to try bathing using colloidal oatmeal bath treatments. In addition to avoiding soap, other products that may dry the skin such as powders or perfume should also be avoided.
Moistening agents are called 'emollients'. In general, it is best to match thicker ointments to the driest, flakiest skin. Light emollients like aqueous cream may not have any effect on severely dry skin.
Some common emollients for the relief of eczema include Oilatum, Balneum, Medi Oil, Diprobase, bath oils and aqueous cream. Sebexol, Epaderm ointment and Eucerin lotion or cream may also be helpful with itching. Lotions or creams may be applied directly to the skin after bathing to lock in moisture. Moisturizing gloves (gloves which keep emollients in contact with skin on the hands) can be worn while sleeping. Generally, twice-daily applications of emollients work best. While creams are easy to apply, they are quickly absorbed into the skin, and therefore need frequent reapplication. Ointments, with less water content, stay on the skin for longer and need fewer applications, but they can be greasy and inconvenient.
For unbroken skin, direct application of waterproof tape with or without an emollient or prescription ointment can improve moisture levels and skin integrity which allows the skin to heal. This treatment regimen can also help prevent the skin from cracking, as well as put a stop to the itch cycle. The end result is reduced lichenification (the roughening of skin from repeated scratching). Taping works best on skin away from joints.
An alternative treatment which was fashionable in the Victorian and Edwardian eras was the topical application of sulfur. Recently sulfur has regained some popularity as a homeopathic alternative to steroids and coal tar. However, there is currently no scientific evidence for the claim that sulfur treatment relieves eczema.
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