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Cold Sore Eczema
Eczema or Dermatitis- An Overview
Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a group of skin conditions which can affect all age groups, although the condition is most common in infants. It is non-infectious and will permanently resolve by age 3 in about half of affected infants.
Eczema is not contagious, but nevertheless it is very common, estimates are that more than 15 million people in the United States have eczema.
Eczema most commonly causes dry, reddened skin that itches or burns and in severe cases may weep, bleed or form crusts so that over time a rough appearance results.
However the appearance of eczema varies from person to person and varies according to the specific type of eczema.
Eczema can sometimes occur as a brief reaction that only leads to symptoms for a few hours or days, but in other cases, the symptoms persist over a longer time and are referred to as chronic dermatitis.
Eczema can occur on just about any part of the body; however, in infants, eczema typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck.
In adults eczema often affects the skin in areas around joints such as the elbow, behind the knees and in front of the ankles.
Eczematous skin is particularly vulnerable to bacterial infection, which can aggravate the eczema or cause serious illness.
Atopic eczema is thought to be a hereditary condition, being genetically linked.
Eczema does run in certain families and can be associated with other 'allergic'-type disorders, like allergic rhinitis and asthma.
An eczema sufferer is also at risk of developing herpes simplex type 1 (cold sores) which can spread over a large area of the skin and occasionally prove dangerous.
Eczema may be set off by extreme temperatures, stress, sweating, medication, clothing (especially wool or silk), grease, oils, soap and detergents, and environmental allergens.
Other factors include; some dairy and wheat products, citrus fruits, eggs, seafood, chemical additives and food colourings.
External factors include; Moulds, grasses, pet dander, house dust mites, shampoos, detergents, soaps and washing powders.
Contact eczema is curable provided the offending substance can be avoided, and its traces removed from the environment. About three quarters of cases of contact eczema are of the irritant type, which is the most common occupational skin disease.
To determine whether an eczema flare is the result of an allergen, a doctor may test the blood for the levels of antibodies and the numbers of certain types of cells.
Dietary elements that have been reported to trigger eczema include dairy products and coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated), soybean products, eggs, nuts, wheat and maize (sweet corn), though food allergies may vary from person to person.
Treatment
The first and primary recommendation is that people suffering from eczema shouldn't use detergents of any kind on their skin unless absolutely necessary.
Anti-itch drugs, often antihistamine, may reduce the itch during a flare up of eczema, and the reduced scratching in turn reduces damage and irritation to the skin (the Itch cycle). Moisturizing is one of the most important self-care treatments for sufferers of eczema. Some common emollients for the relief of eczema include Oilatum, Balneum, Medi Oil, Diprobase, bath oils and aqueous cream.
For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used but because of the risks associated with this type of drug, a steroid of an appropriate strength should be sparingly applied only to control an episode of eczema.
Corticosteroids are generally considered safe to use in the short- to medium-term for controlling eczema, with no significant side effects differing from treatment with non-steroidal ointment. While these usually bring about rapid improvements, they should not be taken for any length of time and the eczema often returns to its previous level of severity once the medication is stopped.
When eczema is severe and does not respond to other forms of treatment, immunosuppressant drugs are sometimes prescribed. These dampen the immune system and can result in dramatic improvements to the patient's eczema.
The most commonly used immunosuppressants for eczema are ciclosporin, azathioprine and methotrexate.
About the Author
Dick Aronson has a background of over 35 years in various facets of the Healthcare industry. He set up and ran clinical trials in more than 20 countries and he has also founded a number of small private health related businesses. Dick now runs a number of informative health websites Go to Health Innovations Online and Go to Eczema Site
Cause of Eczema
Eczema is generally known as an inflammation of the epidermis. The basic symptoms of oncoming Eczema are as follows: itching, redness, blistering, and bleeding, among others. If you have any of these symptoms, then you must see your doctor right away, so that you can be properly diagnosed. Eczema is not contagious. While their are irritants that cause Eczema to flare up, there are no specific causes for this disease. Although there is no clear cause for Eczema, it is widely believed that if either one of your parents or grandparents have had Eczema, then you have a very high possibility of having it too, almost 80%. While most cases of Eczema appear in the person while they are a child, people of all ages can contract this disease. There are many types of Eczema, and most irritants apply to each of them. Irritants can cause your Eczema to flare up and worsen. It is best to know what your allergies are, so that you can help to maintain your Eczema from flaring up. Some of the most common irritants are: the changes in seasonal weather, itchy clothing such as wool, different kinds of soaps, sweating, chilling, cold sores, pets, pollen, tobacco smoke, any other kind of infections that you may have, and extreme emotional stress. Even foods like dairy products, nuts, and food colouring can cause a sudden flare up. Though there are more than a few irritants, you must know that not all of them apply to you. That is why consulting your doctor, for the kinds of allergens and foods that affect you, is the wisest decision. It is believed by many that problems with the movement of your legs can be an early indication of Stasis dermatitis, a form of Varicose Eczema. Varicose veins can also lead to a form of Eczema. Ten percent of cases involving children are linked to Atopic Eczema. There are also a few medications that can cause Eczema, including Sodium Aurotiomalate, Solganal, and Myocrisin injection, among a few others. Those with severe cases of Eczema will most likely, in later life, develop asthma and hay fever. If you contact your doctor about these causes and irritants, then there is no reason this disease shouldn't be manageable. You must also know that you are not alone. More than 5% of people have contracted some variation of this disease. While Eczema may never fully go away, you can now learn how to deal with Eczema, and can go on to live a full and free life.
About the Author
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