Eczema is a group of conditions that make your skin inflamed or irritated. The most common type is atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema. "Atopic" refers to a person's tendency to develop allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever. In the US, eczema affects about 10–20% of infants and about 3% of adults and children. Most children outgrow it by their 10th birthday. For some people, symptoms come and go throughout their lives.
There is no cure, but most people can manage their symptoms with treatment and by avoiding irritants. Eczema is not contagious, so you cannot pass it on to another person.
Eczema symptoms
Eczema shows up and looks different for everyone, and flare-ups won't always happen in the same area. Whichever part of the body is affected, eczema almost always itches. The itching sometimes starts before the rash appears. The skin may also be inflamed or red, and dry, with or without cracks. Symptoms in babies differ from those in adults. Besides an itchy rash, babies may develop crusting, mostly on the face and scalp. It can also appear on their arms, legs, back and chest. In children and teenagers, symptoms usually appear as a rash in the creases of the elbows, behind the knees, or on the neck, wrists or ankles. The rash flakes and the areas become dry.
In adults, symptoms usually appear as a rash on the face, the backs of the knees, wrists, hands or feet. The skin becomes very dry, thick or scaly. In people with fair skin, these areas may be pinkish at first and later turn brown. In people with darker skin, eczema can affect skin pigment, making the affected area lighter or darker.
Causes and risk factors
Experts are not sure exactly what causes eczema. Things that may make it more likely include:
- An immune system response to something irritating
- Problems with the skin barrier that let moisture out and germs in
- A family history of other allergies or asthma
- Eczema triggers
- Rough or scratchy fabric
- Feeling too hot or too cold
- Household products such as soap or detergent
- Pet dander
- Respiratory infections or colds
- Stress
- Sweat
See your doctor if you notice signs of infection, such as fever, redness, warmth, pus or blisters. You should also not delay if the eczema suddenly changes or gets worse. And if the prescribed treatment does not work at all, see your doctor to find another treatment.
Diagnosing eczema
No single test can diagnose eczema. Your doctor will probably make a diagnosis by looking at your skin and asking a few questions. Because many people with eczema also have allergies, the doctor may order allergy tests to identify irritants or triggers. Allergy tests are especially common in children with eczema.
Is eczema contagious? No. A person with eczema cannot infect anyone or pass it on to others. Eczema does not mean the skin is infected or that it spreads from person to person. Some people think eczema may be contagious because it often runs in families. However, eczema can result from several factors, including the immune system, genes, environment and other things that damage the skin's protective barrier.
That said, eczema can lead to skin infections through scratches or cracks. These can break down the skin's protective barrier and leave it unprotected against bacteria and other germs.
Preventing eczema flare-ups
A few tips can help prevent flare-ups or keep them from getting worse:
- Moisturise your skin often.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity.
- Try not to sweat or overheat. Keeping your home cooler can help reduce itching.
- Manage stress and take time to relax. Exercise regularly – it can help control stress and improve circulation.
- Avoid scratchy materials such as wool.
- Do not use harsh soaps, detergents or solvents.
- Watch for foods that may trigger symptoms and try to avoid them.
- Use a humidifier in your bedroom.
Actinic keratosis
This condition causes thick, scaly or crusty patches on the skin. They are usually smaller than 2 cm, or
about the size of a pencil eraser. They often appear on areas of the body that get a lot of sun, such as the hands, arms, face, scalp and neck.
The patch is usually pinkish but may have a brown, tan or grey base. In people with darker skin, the patch may look the same colour as the surrounding skin.
What causes actinic keratosis?
Actinic keratosis is mainly caused by long-term sun exposure. The risk is higher in people over 60 who have fair skin and blue eyes, burn easily in the sun, had sunburns earlier in life, have spent a lot of time in the sun over their lifetime, or have human papillomavirus (HPV).
Rosacea
This chronic skin condition goes through cycles of fading and flaring up. Flare-ups can be triggered by spicy food, alcoholic drinks, sunlight, stress and the gut bacterium Helicobacter pylori. There are four subtypes of rosacea covering a wide range of symptoms. Common symptoms include facial redness, raised red bumps, dry skin and skin sensitivity. People with darker skin may notice brown discolouration or dry, swollen patches of dark skin.
What causes rosacea?
The cause of rosacea has not been established. It may be a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Some things, such as spicy food, foods containing cinnamon, chocolate, tomatoes and citrus fruits, and hot coffee and tea, are known to worsen rosacea symptoms. A skin mite called Demodex and the bacterium it carries, Bacillus oleronius, as well as a lack of cathelicidin (a protein that protects the skin from infection), also have a negative effect on rosacea.
Rosacea risk factors
Several factors make some people more likely to develop rosacea than others. Rosacea often develops between the ages of 30 and 50. People with fair hair and blue eyes are also affected more often. There are genetic links too: you are more likely to develop rosacea if it runs in your family or if you have Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry. Women are more likely to develop the condition than men, but men who do develop it often have more severe symptoms.
Not all skin conditions respond to treatment, and some clear up without it. People with chronic skin conditions often go through periods of severe symptoms. Sometimes incurable conditions can be brought into remission. However, most skin conditions return because of certain triggers, such as stress or other illnesses. Temporary and cosmetic skin problems can often be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products, good hygiene and lifestyle adjustments, such as changing certain eating habits.
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/atopic-dermatitis-eczema
Skin Disorders: Pictures, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment (healthline.com)
Our recommendation. For daily care of very dry, flaky and itchy skin, choose Eubos Urea 10% body lotion. It can be used as a complementary body care product alongside treatment prescribed by your doctor.
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