Eczema is a common skin condition, affecting up to a third of Americans and often manfiesting in young children and infants. It's also commonly referred to as a Atopic Dermatitis, although there are other forms as well. Recent studies have shown that Eczema may be an an automimmune condition, that causes skin to become itchy and develop rashes. Common areas affected are the insides of major joints, such as knees and elbows, and often around the cheeks, hands and feet.
Read on for more specific information on the causes of Eczema, how to tell if you have Eczema, extreme symptoms of the condition and natural remedies for Eczema.
What Causes Eczema (& Eczema Triggers)
So far we don't know the exact causes of Eczema, but there are a number of factors that are known to affect it. There does seem to be growing evidence that Eczema is an autoimmune condition, meaning it is a response from the body to what it considers to be an attack on it. We do know that Eczema is not contagious, and it likely develops due a combination of genetic nad environmental factors. Common factors that contribute to a flare up of Eczema include:
Weather; extremes in temperature (very hot, or very cold) and humidity are known to make Eczema worse
Alcohol; drinking lots of alcohol can help dry out the skin and dilate blood vessels, this can cause Eczema symptoms to become worse
Allergens; Dust, mold, pet dander, and dandruff can irritate Eczema
Infections; respiratory infections and colds can cause Eczema to worsen
Food; Certain foods such as soy, dairy, nuts, seeds, and wheat can contribute to a flare up of Eczema
Yourself: Whether its anxiety, strong emotions, or even just exercising, how we feel and live, affect Eczema, large amounts of stress can worsen Eczema symptoms
How do I tell if I have Eczema?
The most surefire way to see if you Eczema is to consult a medical professional. However if you're unable to see a doctor, or are curious if there might be a possibility you have Eczema then asking yourself some questions and a brief self physical examination can help tell you if you may have the condition and should start adapting your lifestyle or if needed see a doctor:
Do you have a rash that won't go away?
Do you have a rash that is getting crusty?
Do you have a rash with a pus filled blister?
Does your family have a history of Eczema?
Did you have Eczema as a child?
Risk factors for Eczema
Allergies: Hay fever and asthma are commonly linked to Eczema
Age: Eczema can occur at any age but usually develops in infants
Occupation: Workers who deal with solvents and cleaning supplies regularly may be have a higher risk of experiencing Eczema
Family History: People with a family history of Eczema are more likely to experience it themselves
Symptoms of Eczema
The most common symptom of Eczema are red, itchy rashes that develop in areas where the skin flexes, such as the back of the knees or the inside of the elbows. This area usually feels irritated and may appear inflamed.
Eczema Symptoms in Children
While Eczema can develop at any point, it most commonly develops in children, the symptoms to look out for to help determine if your child may be experiencing Eczema are:
Rashes commonly appearing the scalp and cheeks for young infants, these can sometimes bubble up and leak fluid
Rashes in young infants usually cause itchiness and can interfere with sleeping, scratching at these rashes can lead to infection
In young children that no longer infants, rashes usually appear where skin flexes, such as the back of the knees or insides of the elbows
These rashes can eventually become bumpy, change color, or even thicken
Eczema Symptoms in Adults
To help determine if you might be experiencing Eczema, look for these symptoms:
rashes appearing on the nape of the neck, inside the elbows, or on the back fo hte knees
Rashes covering a large portion of your body
Rashes becoming prominent on the neck, face, and around the eyes
Very dry skin as a result of the rashes
Extreme itching from the rashes
Rashes may become somewhat scaly
In addition to regular Eczema, or Atopic Dermatitis, there are a number of specific forms of Eczema:
Contact Dermatitis
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Follicular Dermatitis
Dsyhidrotic Dermatitis
Nummular Eczema
Stasis Dermatitis
What is Contact Dermatitis?
Are you experiencing a rash?
Perhaps accompanied by small itchy bumps?
Then there's a fair chance you might have Contact Dermatitis. Most people will experience Contact Dermatitis at some point in their lives. It's the result of the skin coming into contact with some kind of irritant that causes a rash to form. It's an allergic reaction to something like the oil on Poison Ivy touching your skin and can be quite irritating, but can be caused by other things such as jewellry, chemicals found in certain fragrances or other products applied to your skin.
Special note: While the rash itself isn't contagious, whatever is causing the rash may be. For example, if you touch poison ivy and get the plant's oil on your, it'll cause an outbreak, and if not properly washed off, that oil can transfer to other people or objects, where other people may come into contact with it.
What is Seborrheic Dermatitis?
Seborrheic Dermatitis is a common form of Eczema that affects the scalp. It causes red, scaly patches which flake off creating dandruff. While mostly found on the scalp, it can affect other areas of the body that are oily, such as the face and chest.
Seborrheic Dermatitis can go away without treatment, proper cleansing and a good skincare routine can help reduce or eliminate it and prevent it from coming back.
What is Follicular Dermatitis?
Follicular Dermatitis is a form of Eczema that affects hair follicles. The skin around the follicles thickens and forms bumps around the follicles. These inflamed bumps are often accompanied by itching, irritation, warmth and can be accompanied by the regular symptoms of Eczema. This condition is more common in those with darker skin.
What is Dsyhidrotic Dermatitis?
Dsyhidrotic Dermatitis is a case of Eczema that mostly affects the hands, and sometimes the feet. It comes in the form of small blisters filled with fluid in those affected areas. These blisters generally last two to three weeks and are usually very itchy. Once the blisters dry the affected areas become scaly and the blisters may return.
What is Nummular Eczema?
Nummular Eczema is a form of Eczema that is fairly distinctive from the others, in that the rashes that occur are often a round shape, like coins. These rashes are well defined, itchy and irritated and may become dry and crusty or leak fluid. They often appear as a result of injury to the skin, from insect bites or other forms of damage. These patches can last for several months, though with treatment their affect can be minimized.
What is Stasis Dermatitis?
Stasis Dermatitis is a form of Eczema that is caused by a problem with blood circulation. It's most commonly found in the lower legs and is the result of pressure building up in the veins as the blood tries to flow through it, resulting in fluid leaking out of the veins and into the skin. Symptoms of Stasis Dermatitis include swelling, redness, discoloration of the skin, varicose veins, aches, as well as the redness and itching that often accompanies other forms of Eczema. More severe cases can even involve fluid leaking out. Stasis Dermatitis is also known as Venous Eczema, Gravitational Dermatitis, and Venous Stasis Dermatitis.
Living With Eczema
If I think I have Eczema should I see a doctor?
It's always a good idea to see a doctor about possible medical conditions. They can refer a dermatologist who can provide treatment plans and prescriptions to help manage Eczema. For severe sufferers this may be the best option. However millions of people live without ever even being diagnosed and many others without ever needing medical intervention. It's perfectly possible to live with Eczema and there are natural treatments for this family of conditions.
How to treat Eczema naturally?
There are number of natural remedies for Eczema. Life style and diet are major influences on any health condition, and a healthy lifestyle with a good diet will provide a strong foundation to treating Eczema. Avoid excessive drinking. Avoid extended exposure to extreme temperature and humidity. Pay attention to the food you eat and any allergens you may come into contact with, and do your best to avoid contact with those foods and allergens. You can also use a variety of natural topical treatments to help manage the symptoms of Eczema.
Check out our article, 5 Natural Ways to Fight Off Eczema.
Is there a cure for Eczema?
There is no set cure for Eczema. However, proper care given to lifestyle choices and the use of natural treatments to help control the symptoms you can minimize the effects of Eczema and live your life to the fullest. If you're interested in learning more about Eczema, download our guide on myths and facts about Eczema, titled 'What Doctors Won't Tell You About Eczema' today.
If you have any comments or questions, be sure to leave them below!