MAIN Health Rashes Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, does not refer to one specific condition, but rather is an umbrella term for a variety of skin inflammations that can have many different symptoms and can be treated in several different ways.

The symptoms of eczema can include bleeding, oozing, cracking, redness, swelling, blistering, flaking, drying, crusting, and itching.

The first symptom, however, is usually extreme itching followed by any number of other symptoms mentioned above.

What causes eczema?

Although doctors still don't know the exact cause of the condition, eczema is thought to be an allergic reaction as the immune system responds to what it perceives is a foreign substance invading the body.

Eczema is almost always caused by contact with some sort of external stimulus. It may arise from a one-time contact with the skin, or over months or even years before a breakout occurs. Some of the more common external stimuli include clothing and jewelry, sweating, detergents, soaps, and creams.

Eczema treatment

The best way to treat eczema is to remove whatever is causing the reaction. There are, however, many different potential suspects, so it may take a lot of patient testing to discern the exact cause. If the cause cannot be found, the next step is to apply a anti- inflammatory steroid cream and anti-itch treatments so that constant rubbing or scratching does not agitate the eczema. Patients with the condition are also often advised to use hypoallergenic soaps and shampoos to decrease the chances of outbreak.

If home treatments do not work, a doctor can prescribe more powerful prescription versions of these same treatments, which can hopefully ease more stubborn occurrences of eczema.


More information about eczema around the Web:

EczemaNet

WebMD - Eczema Home Treatment

This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice.
All treatment decisions should be made by medical professionals.

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Dermatitis