Do you constantly struggle with irritated skin? It could be eczema. Eczema is a broad term for a bundle of skin conditions that cause the skin to be irritated and inflamed. It is a fairly common skin ailment, especially in children. 10 to 20 percent of infants develop some kind of eczema, while 3% of adults and children find themselves afflicted with eczema. While some may outgrow eczema, others will have symptoms of eczema for the rest of their life. That is why it is important to find a good treatment for eczema to control the symptoms of the ailment.


WHAT IS ECZEMA?


One word is consistently linked with eczema. Can you guess what it is? Itchy. Eczema is almost always itchy, with that itch sometimes showing even before the rash appears. This rash is a patch of incredibly dry skin that is scaly and thicker than normal skin. The rash most commonly occurs on the hands, feet, wrists, face and back of the knees.

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WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF ECZEMA?


When it comes to the cause of eczema, the jury is out. There are a lot of theories, the most prominent of which is that eczema is the byproduct of an overreaction by the body's immune system to a negative stimuli. There is also believed to be a link between eczema and allergies and asthma, as families with a natural predisposition to eczema often times also have allergies and asthma in their family history.


WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ECZEMA?


When it comes to eczema, the symptoms can be different from person to person. Rashes from eczema can look very different in each individual, and can be located in different areas of the body. However, the itchy ailment does have a couple of common symptoms.

  • Extremely dry skin that is very sensitive
  • Rashes that itch very badly
  • Red and inflamed skin
  • Leathery or scaly patches of skin that are rough to the touch


WHAT CAN CAUSE AN ECZEMA FLARE-UP?


There are a variety of things that can cause someone who suffers from eczema to have a flare up. Here is a list of some things that can cause the itchy rash to appear.


COMING IN CONTACT WITH A FOREIGN SUBSTANCE OR SURFACE


If you have sensitive skin, simply touching or coming in contact with a substance or surface you are unfamiliar with can be enough to trigger eczema. This could be a unique plant, a new animal or even a fresh coat of paint on a wall. Try to be aware of your surroundings to avoid triggering an eczema outbreak.


TOUCHING SOMETHING THAT IS COARSE OR ROUGH

As stated above, many with eczema have sensitive skin that doesn't react well to certain situations and stimuli. This is especially true for coarse or rough surfaces. Touching a coarse or rough surface with very dry skin can cause eczema to develop at the point where contact was made. Try to avoid rough surfaces, or if you need to touch it do so with a layer of clothing protecting you.

FEELING AN EXTREME TEMPERATURE, SUCH AS TOO HOT OR TOO COLD


Luckily, living in San Diego means we do not have much exposure to extreme temperatures. However, for those who do not have the pleasure of living in San Diego, exposure to temperatures that are too hot or cold can lead to the appearance of eczema. If you are going to be in an extreme temperature, try to moisturize your skin and wear protective layers of clothing.


EXPOSURE TO HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS SUCH AS SOAPS OR A LAUNDRY DETERGENT


Some soaps or laundry detergents have chemicals in them that are known to cause an eczema outbreak in those who have a history of eczema. If you know you are susceptible to eczema, try to get hypoallergenic soaps and detergents to keep your skin safe from outbreaks.


ANIMAL DANDER CAN CAUSE AN ECZEMA OUTBREAK


Yes, that loving puppy that you just cuddled with all of your heart may be responsible for the next eczema outbreak. In some individuals, animal dander can cause an outbreak of eczema, so make sure to pet responsibly.


FEELING OF EXTREME STRESS CAN MAKE AN EXISTING RASH WORSE


The more we learn about stress, the more we have come to realize how dangerous it can be to our health and well-being. Feeling stressed out can lead to eczema rashes occurring, so try to keep your stress level low to avoid eczema outbreaks.

TREATMENT OF ECZEMA


There is currently no cure for eczema, but that doesn’t mean there are not any treatment options. There are a variety of different treatments for eczema outbreaks and rashes. Here are a few of the most common and successful eczema treatments.


OVER-THE-COUNTER ECZEMA MEDICATION


There is a large amount of over-the-counter eczema medication available at drug stores and grocery stores. These medications require no prescription but can get great results for rashes. Some of the treatment will be primarily a moisturizer, as dry skin can be a fertile breeding ground for eczema. Others actively work to fight symptoms of eczema, such as the rash, redness, or the itching. Finally, some of the medications work to clean the skin to prevent any infections from forming.


BATHING TO FIGHT ECZEMA


Moisture is at the essence of a lot of eczema outbreaks. One common method for treating eczema is soaking in a warm bath or shower, followed by vigorous moisturizing with over-the-counter lotions. Some symptoms of eczema can be treated by adding other substances to your bath, including vinegar, salt, oatmeal, baking soda or bleach. Consult with a dermatologist before adding anything that can be harmful to your bath.

PRESCRIPTION TOPICAL MEDICATION


Topical medication includes lotions and creams that are applied to the affected area. A prescription from a dermatologist is required to obtain a prescription topical medication and they can be very effective. Some prescription topical medications include corticosteroids, skin barrier creams, topical calcineurin inhibitors, and PDE4 inhibitors.


PHOTOTHERAPY TO REDUCE ITCHING AND INFLAMMATION


Phototherapy is a kind of treatment that uses ultraviolet B light on the skin in an attempt to reduce inflammation and itching caused by eczema. Phototherapy also can increase the production of vitamin D and systems that fight bacteria in the skin.


FREE ECZEMA EVALUATION


Are you excited to extricate eczema from your existence? CDCRI offers free consultation with our expert dermatology staff for those who suffer with eczema. We will carefully review your skin problems and give you choices.  You may qualify to participate in a research trial. Even if you don’t qualify, we will offer you the best treatment available for your situation. Not only are consultations free of charge with no insurance required, but we also offer cash compensation for certain qualified participants in research studies. If you are interested in doing more for your eczema it’s time to contact California Dermatology & Clinical Research Institute today! Give us a call at (760) 203-3839.

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