Eczema or atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin disorders seen in infants and children, affecting 10 to 15 percent of the childhood population. There could be many causes of atopic dermatitis, including allergic or immune mediated components. In adulthood, the disease typically worsens and the skin becomes thicker and drier.

Brought to you by: National Eczema Association

Take care of your skin with the eczema treatment that's right for you.

Your skin becomes dry when it fails to retain water. Good skin care habits including bathing are an important part of managing eczema, use a gentle cleanser and avoid scrubbing with a washcloth or rubbing with a towel; pat instead.

Use of an OTC moisturizer several times every day helps to relieve the irritation and itch to improve skin hydration and protect the skin moisture barrier. Moisturizers are more effective when applied to skin that has been soaked in water and still wet.

Brought to you by: National Eczema Association

Take care of you skin by following these eczema management tips.

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Eczema Creams, Lotions & Treatments | AVEENO

Updated December 15, 2014.

It is important for people with eczema and their loved ones to understand how to take care of their skin because using the wrong soap or moisturizer can cause flare-ups that are itchy or painful. On the other hand, using the correct soap or moisturizer can calm down inflamed skin or prevent flare-ups.

Sources:

Boguniewicz, Mark. "Atopic Dermatitis: Beyond the Itch that Rashes." Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America 25(2005): 333-51.

Chamlin, Sarah, et al. "Ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids alleviate childhood atopic dermatitis: Changes in barrier function provide a sensitive indicator of disease activity." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 47(2002): 198-208.

Choi, Myeong Jun, and Howard Maibach. "Role of Ceramides in Barrier Function of Healthy and Diseased Skin." American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 6(2005): 215-22.

Coderch L, et al. "Efficacy of stratum corneum lipid supplementation on human skin." Contact Dermatitis. 3(2002):139-46.

Halvarsson, K, and M. Loden. "Increasing quality of life by improving the quality of skin in patients with atopic dermatitis." International Journal of Cosmetic Science 29(2007): 69-83.

Hanifin, Jon, et al. "Guidelines of Care for Atopic Dermatitis." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 50(2004): 391-404.

Simpson, Eric, and Jon Hanifin. "Atopic Dermatitis." The Medical Clinics of North America 90(2006): 149-167.

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Eczema - Skin Care Recommendations - Dermatology

Atopic dermatitis can be persistent. You may need to try various treatments over months or years to control it. And even if you respond to treatment, your signs and symptoms may return (flare).

It's important to recognize the condition early so you can start treatment. If regular moisturizing and other self-care steps don't help, your doctor may suggest the following treatments and drugs:

Light therapy. The simplest form of light therapy (phototherapy) involves exposing your skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight. Other forms use artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) and narrow band UVB either alone or with medications.

Though effective, long-term light therapy has harmful effects, including premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. For these reasons, phototherapy is not used for infants and young children. Talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of light therapy in your situation.

Treatment for infantile eczema includes:

See your baby's doctor if these measures don't improve the rash or if the rash looks infected. Your baby may need a prescription medication to control the rash or to treat an infection. Your doctor may recommend an oral antihistamine to help lessen the itch and to cause drowsiness, which may be helpful for nighttime itching and discomfort.

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Atopic dermatitis (eczema) Treatments and drugs - Mayo Clinic

Definition of Eczema:

Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a group of skin conditions which can affect all age groups. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, eczema is not contagious. With treatment the inflammation of eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care.

The following drugs and medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of Eczema. This service should be used as a supplement to, and NOT a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

See 32 generic medications used to treat this condition

Alternative treatments for Eczema

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Eczema. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Eczema.

Micromedex Care Notes:

Symptom checker:

Symptoms and treatment for:

Drugs.com Health Center:

Synonym(s): Atopic Eczema; Dermatitis, Atopic; Discoid Eczema; Infantile Eczema

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Eczema Medication | Drugs.com

Posted by Forloveford (Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada) on 02/27/2013

I have suffered from eczema for 14 years, this past year it has gotten out of control due to high stress and anxiety. Recently my Husband had an abscessed tooth and I looked on here for some remedies when I came across the activated charcoal, it draws out toxins so he used it and it drew out the abscess (in the bone) in two days, he is now pain free.

Anyways, I have been unable to sleep through the night or even function normally for months, I got another rash on my hand and decided to take some of the poultice I made for my Husbands tooth and put it on my new rash. I left it on for a few minutes and washed it off, which proved to be the most frustrating part of this cure!

A few days later (which brings me to today) I ended up itching severely on my lowers legs, this has been my area of most irritation, I popped open two capsules and mixed them with organic coconut oil and applied it to the most painful areas. WARNING; this stuff will stain everything: skin, clothes, tubs I mean EVERYTHING! I ran a bath as I allowed to stuff to sink in, grabbed a book (after washing my hands a million times) and got into the tub. I stayed in for about 20-30 minutes after which I proceeded to wash my skin over and over and over with an organic all natural bar of soap and a clean washcloth (I wash all my laundry with a solution of borax, grated and diluted organic lavender bar-soap and a few drops of lemongrass essential oil, this has helped allot with my skin irritation and allergies) My skin was a dingy grey after wards and so I drained my black rimmed tub and showered, again washing my skin thoroughly but not too much as to irritate my skin again, then I washed out my tub, dried off with a fresh towel and relaxed for a few minutes (this I found to be highly important in stress management, which contributes to eczema).

My skin never felt better and I actually had some energy. I still have black lines and dingy skin but I really don't care, it will wash off the next shower I have. I have also decided to take one charcoal tablet a day to help with the IBS I frequently experience and know that it contributes to low immune function and the plethora of health issues I have faced since I was about 10.

Anyone with severe skin issues I highly recommend a healthy non-gmo diet, elimination of industrial chemicals in household products, elimination of fluoride and as odd as it seems placed in this list: Inner Child therapy (I find the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh the best, he treats the body, mind and world as a whole) Most of these immune issues stem from severe stress and trauma experienced during childhood, things we didn't and still have not faced that resurface as health problems.

Recipe for skin poultice: - 2 caps activated charcoal Aprox. 1 Tbls - equal amount of Organic Coconut Oil - Mix together and apply for at least 30 minutes.

Like others have stated you may experience a urine-like smell and this indicates that it is working (not sure why, will have to look into that) First time I did this I smelled urine, very strongly in the tub until I washed the charcoal from myself and the tub, its gross and quite pungent, perhaps this is the toxins that are drawn out? If anyone has information on this mechanism please reply with your info!

An FYI in case anyone is interested, I have tried the prescription meds since I was very young, every other home remedy on this site as well as other but nothing has provided the immediate relief I experienced from the charcoal poultice. The itching, burning, swelling, redness, and small pimple-like lesions have disappeared all that is left of it is the scabs where I have scratched so much I opened the lesions.

Please drink plenty of fluoride free (if possible) water after ingesting or applying charcoal as it dehydrates the body.

Original post:
Natural Eczema Treatment - Earth Clinic

Have you ever had a red, itchy rash that does not go away? Chances are, it may be eczema. While mild eczema is not life threatening, it may be extremely uncomfortable with an itch. Symptoms usually vary depending on the individual, and may include dry, scaly, red and itchy skin. If left untreated, constant scratching may lead to bleeding, crusting, or broken skin open to possible infection. It is usually easily diagnosed by doctors by a physical check-up, and most of the time, does not require biopsies or additional testing.

According to the National Eczema Association, the term "eczema" is a general term used to describe dermatitis and can be interchangeably used. Although it comes in many forms, eczema mostly describes a dry skin condition that may be relieved by moisturizers and emollients. This skin condition is not contagious, so you cannot pass it on to other people or catch them from someone else.

A specific cause for eczema has yet to be identified. Many believe that this skin condition is attributed to a combination of factors that include:

Many of these factors are still speculation, with further research needed to confirm a specific cause for eczema. Factors like asthma and hay fever that are often associated with eczema could pose as possible leads. However, not all people who have been diagnosed with eczema have shown these particular medical conditions.

Since eczema can refer to various types of irritated skin, the types can almost be endless. Here are some of the more common types of eczema:

The most common symptom of eczema is red, swollen and itchy skin. The symptoms may vary depending on the specific type of eczema you are dealing with. Blisters and scaly patches are also possible symptoms of eczema. These blisters might also ooze, crust and even bleed. Skin color may also change, and can even become thick and leathery. These outbreaks can appear practically anywhere on the body, and the location of the affected area can be used to classify the particular type of eczema that the person is suffering from.

Unfortunately, there is no known treatment for eczema, but there are many ways to relieve symptoms. For example, there are several easy home remedies that can help relieve itch and irritation should a breakout take place.

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Eczema, Causes, Tests, Diagnosis & Treatment

Facts about the skin from DermNet New Zealand Trust. Topic index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Dermatitis affects about one in every five people at some time in their lives. It results from a variety of different causes and has various patterns.

The terms dermatitis and eczema are often used interchangeably. In some cases the term eczematous dermatitis is used. Dermatitis can be acute or chronic or both.

An in-between state is known as subacute eczema.

Psychological stresses can provoke or aggravate dermatitis, presumably by suppressing normal immune mechanisms.

An important aspect of treatment is to identify and tackle any contributing factors (see above).

Dermatitis is often a long-term problem. When you notice your skin getting dry, moisturise your skin again and carefully avoid the use of soap. If the itchy rash returns, use both the moisturiser and the steroid cream or ointment. If it fails to improve within two weeks, see your doctor for further advice.

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Dermatitis (eczema). DermNet NZ

You haven't been near poison ivy in weeks, you aren't allergic to latex and you don't have allergies that give you hives -- at least, you don't think you do. So what's that red patch of itchy dry skin? It could be a type of eczema. An estimated 15 million Americans are affected by it [source: EczemaNet]. The name eczema is actually an all-encompassing title for a range of skin conditions that produce the same itching and redness, the most common of which is called atopic dermatitis (or atopic eczema).

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema found in infants and children under the age of two. In fact, about 10 to 20 percent of infants have eczema [source: UVA Health System]. The disease occurs less frequently in adults, but they can still be affected through periodical flare-ups that are triggered by different allergic reactions or reactions to skin irritants.

The symptoms of atopic dermatitis are overshadowed by one major characteristic -- itchiness. Atopic dermatitis is almost always itchy; it can be itchy even before a rash appears, and scratching can both cause and worsen the rash. In babies, eczema most often occurs on the face, arms, legs, scalp and neck. In children and adults, it usually shows up in the folds of elbows and knees. Skin affected by eczema can appear dry, thickened and scaly. Fair-skinned people who have the condition may have reddish patches of skin that turn brown, while dark-skinned people can experience changes in pigment that either darken or lighten the affected skin [source: WebMD].

Other diseases grouped under the label of eczema include:

[source: InteliHealth]

Similar factors cause these types of eczema, and you treat most of them in similar ways. Read on to find out more about what can cause those itchy red patches.

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How Eczema Works - HowStuffWorks

Edit: I have found a cream that clears up my eye eczema and has also helped many others. Please scroll down to the bottom of the post for this if you don't want to read my whole story and just want to find out what got rid of the eczema.

This is a bit of a different post from me today, and is quite a personal one and something I'm really self-conscious and sensitive about. It's going to be very long, and have some really gross photos towards the end. But I hope you'll continue reading, because I hope that someone out there will be able to help me somehow, or will know someone who can help me.

I've had eczema for as long as I can remember. There isn't a time where I can't remember having it. When I was younger I would always get it under my knees and in the inside of my elbows, and I had to bathe in E45emollient. It would usually strike during Autumn and Winter when the heating came on and cold weather arrived, and for some reason when I was a child seawater also flared it up (thankfully I seemed to grow out of this!).

Anyway, nothing has ever really worked for it, I've always had to just bear with it and let it run its course until it went down by itself. Although the bath emollient worked, the E45 cream has never worked, and I feel as though I've tried every product out there, from natural to chemical. The only good thing about it being under my knees and in my elbows, was that I could cover it up with clothing, so no one had to see it.

When I was 14 I finally found the perfect solution. I was back in Australia for a holiday and we went down to Albany for a week. We visited the Sandalwood Factory down there and I found Mount Romance Damage Control. At the time I was suffering from eczema really badly, and within a few hours of using the Damage Control oil, it was already going down. I also had a huge patch on my left wrist, it was so sore it looked diseased, it was a huge spread of eczema all across my wrist and was so dry it was cracking and bleeding. After a couple of days of applying Damage Control every hour, it had completely disappeared.

Then disaster struck. I started getting eczema on my eyelids and under-eye. I couldn't hide this with clothing. It was on show for all to see, and it was humiliating. My eyes were bright red and cracked - it looked as though there was something seriously wrong with me. Despite the Damage Control telling me not to use it on eyes, I did, and it worked. It stung like hell, but it worked.

A couple of years ago I had allergy tests done, and I discovered the reason behind my eczema. I'm allergic to mould. This also explains why my asthma is worse during autumn. Asthma and eczema are connected, and the mould flares them both up. During autumn when the leaves fall off the trees, they decay on the ground and mould spores rise into the air, getting into your lungs and going onto your skin. For those who are allergic, it's a nightmare, and different people have different reactions to it.

About two months ago my eczema on my eyes flared up again, but this time the Damage Control didn't work. My trusty saviour for the past seven years failed me, and I needed something else that would work ASAP. Incredibly painful, itchy and completelyunsightly, my eyes were red raw with the skin flaking off, and I was waking up with my eyes completely swollen. I spent ages sitting there with a bag of frozen peas on them before leaving for work, and as you can imagine, my tube journeys to work involved me keeping my head down. I felt myself constantly worrying about what people were thinking when they looked at me.

A couple of weeks ago I found the E45 Intensive Recovery for 'very dry skin', and to be honest, it's amazing. I've been using it regularly on my eyelids for the past few days, and they're back to being smooth. But today I read an article on the chemicals inside it, and learnt that some of them are actually very toxic. I'm furious, absolutely fuming, that the Doctor told me to put this on my EYES of all places! Not only does E45 contain Sodium Sulphate's, but it also contains Propylparaben, which is an irritant that even has links to causing cancer.

So I'm back to square one. I need to stop using the E45, and once again I need to find something else that's natural and organic. The problem is I don't know where to start, which brand to trust, and I honestly can't afford to keep spending all this money on products I use a few times before realizing they're not going to work or are making it worse. Not only is it horrible and disgusting to look at, but it's incredibly painful. The constant pain and itch stresses me out, and when it's particularly bad I can feel my heart racing from the stress. It's truly horrible.

Read more here:
Lux Life - UK Lifestyle Blog: My Struggle With Eye Eczema.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is a type of inflammation of the skin (dermatitis). It results in itchy, red, swollen, and cracked skin. Clear fluid may come from the affected areas which often become thickened over time.[1] It typically starts in childhood with changing severity over the years.[1][2] In children under one year of age much of the body may be affected. As they get older the back of the knees and front of the elbows are the most common area for the rash. In adults the hands and feet are most affected.[2] Scratching worsens symptoms and affected people have an increased risk of skin infections. Many people with atopic dermatitis develop hay fever or asthma.[1]

The cause is not known but believed to involve genetics, immune system dysfunction, environmental exposures, and difficulties with the permeability of the skin.[1][2] If one identical twin is affected there is an 85% chance the other will also have the condition.[3] Those who live in cities and dry climates are more commonly affected. Exposure to chemicals or frequent hand washing makes symptoms worse. While emotional stress may make the symptoms worse it is not a cause. The disorder is not contagious.[1] The diagnosis is typically based on the signs and symptoms. Other diseases that need to be excluded before making a diagnosis include contact dermatitis, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.[2]

Treatment involves avoiding things that make it worse, daily bathing with application of a moisturising cream afterwards, applying steroid creams when flares occur, and medications to help with itchiness.[2] Things that commonly make it worse include wool clothing, soaps, perfumes, chlorine, dust, and cigarette smoke. Phototherapy may be useful in some people. Steroid pills may occasionally be used if other measures are not effective.[1] Antibiotics (either by mouth or topically) may be needed if a bacterial infection develop.[2] Dietary changes are only needed if food allergies are suspected.[1]

Atopic dermatitis affects about 20% of people at some point in their lives.[1][4] It is more common in younger children.[2] Males and females are equally affected.[1] Many people outgrow the condition.[2] Atopic dermatitis is sometimes called eczema, a term that also refers to a larger group of skin conditions.[1] Other names include "infantile eczema", "flexural eczema", "prurigo Besnier", "allergic eczema", and "neurodermatitis".[5]

People with AD often have dry and scaly skin that spans the entire body, except perhaps the diaper area, and intensely itchy red, splotchy, raised lesions to form in the bends of the arms or legs, face, and neck.[6][7][8][9][10] These lesions then weep, crack, swell, and crust over.[10] These lesions are at a heightened risk for bacterial, fungal, or viral colonisation.[10]

The cause of AD is not known, although there is some evidence of genetic factors, and some evidence that growing up in a sanitary environment encourages AD.[7]

It seems to have a genetic component. Many people with AD have a family history of atopy. Atopy is an immediate-onset allergic reaction such as asthma, food allergies, AD or hay fever.[6][7] In 2006 it was discovered that mutations in the gene for the production of filaggrin strongly increased the risk for developing atopic dermatitis. Most importantly two mutations were found that affect approximately 5% of people in Western Europe that may disrupt the production of filaggrin. Filaggrin is a protein that plays an important role in the retention of water in the stratum corneum. People who have these mutations often have dry skin.[11] Filaggrin also plays an important role in keeping the skin surface slightly acidic, hence giving it anti-microbial effects. It is broken down into trans-urocanic acid which keeps the pH low.[12]

According to the hygiene hypothesis, when children are brought up exposed to allergens in the environment at a young age, their immune system is more likely to tolerate them, while children brought up in a modern "sanitary" environment are less likely to be exposed to those allergens at a young age, and, when they are finally exposed, develop allergies. There is some support for this hypothesis with respect to AD.

Those exposed to dogs while growing up have a lower risk of atopic dermatitis.[13] There is also support from epidemiological studies for a protective role for helminths against AD.[14] Likewise children with poor hygiene are at a lower risk for developing AD, as are children who drink unpasteurised milk.[14] Exposure to dust mites is believed to contribute to one's risk of developing AD.[15]

A diet high in fruits seems to have a protective effect against AD, whereas the opposite seems to be true for fast foods.[14]

Continue reading here:
Atopic dermatitis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What is eczema? Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic allergic condition in which the skin develops areas of itchy, scaly rashes.

What are the symptoms of eczema? Eczema can occur on almost any part of the body but is most common on the face, scalp, inside of elbows, knees, ankles, and hands. It typically appears as extremely itchy patches on the skin. Eczema can get worse when scratched; in fact, itchy skin may appear normal until scratched; the irritating action may then cause the characteristic rash and scales to develop.

Other symptoms include:

Scratching can introduce infectious agents into the skin, leading to secondary complications including bacterial infection and permanent scars.

What are the causes of eczema? Eczema is caused by a reaction similar to that of an allergy and can promote chronic inflammation. The condition will often wax and wane and accompany other allergic conditions such as asthma. In some cases, a specific substance, such as certain soaps, detergents, or metals, dust mites, and animal dander, can trigger eczema. For many people, however, there is no known allergen that causes this reaction. Eczema can be worsened by dry climates, exposure to water, temperature changes, and stress.

Who is likely to develop eczema? Eczema is particularly common in infants and children. A persons risk of developing the problem also increases if he or she has a family history of eczema or allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever.

How is eczema diagnosed? Physicians usually diagnose eczema by conducting a physical exam and asking questions about the patients symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and habits.

What is the conventional treatment for eczema? Conventional doctors often recommend a combination of self-care techniques and medical therapies to treat eczema. First, people with eczema should avoid any potential triggers that appear to make symptoms worse. Take warm, not hot, showers or baths. Use soap as sparingly as possible, and apply a soothing, hypoallergenic moisturizer immediately after bathing. Physicians may also suggest using over-the-counter anti-itch lotions or low-potency steroid creams.

When these measures dont alleviate eczema, the doctor may prescribe one or more of the following treatments:

What therapies does Dr. Weil recommend for eczema? In addition to the self-care approaches mentioned above, Dr. Weil recommends considering the following natural treatments for eczema:

See the rest here:
Natural Treatment of Eczema - Dr. Weil

Eczema facts What is eczema?

Rather than a specific condition, eczema is a group of unrelated diseases that have a similar appearance. When it is new eczema, the affected skin appears red and elevated with small blisters (vesicles) containing a clear fluid. When the blisters break, the affected skin will weep and ooze. In older eczema, chronic eczema, the blisters are less prominent and the skin is thickened, elevated, and scaling. Eczema almost always is very itchy.

There are at least 11 different types of skin conditions that produce eczema. In order to develop a rational treatment plan, it is important to distinguish them. This is often not easy.

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 1/26/2015

Eczema - Treatment Question: What treatment has been effective for your eczema?

Eczema - Symptoms and Signs Question: What were your eczema symptoms and signs?

Eczema - Experience Question: Please describe your experience with eczema.

Eczema - Home Remedies Question: What home remedies have been effective for your eczema?

Eczema - Types Question: What type of eczema did you have, and what causes eczema?

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Eczema: Read About Treatment of Various Eczema Types

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Eczema Overview

The term eczema is derived from the Greek, meaning "to boil out." The name is particularly apt since to ancient medical practitioners it may have appeared that the skin was "boiling." Today the usage is rather imprecise since this term is frequently used to describe any sort of dermatitis (inflammatory skin condition). But not all dermatitis is eczematous. All eczematous dermatitis, whether due to a familial atopic dermatitis or an acquired allergic contact dermatitis, has a similar appearance. Acute lesions are composed of many small fluid-filled structures called vesicles that usually reside on red, swollen skin. When these vesicles break, clear or yellowish fluid leaks out, causing characteristic weeping and oozing. When the fluid dries, it produces a thin crust which may mimic impetigo. In older lesions, these vesicles may be harder to appreciate, but an examination of the tissue under the microscope will reveal their presence. Eczematous dermatitis has many causes. One of the most common is a condition called atopic dermatitis. Often those using the term eczema are referring to atopic dermatitis. Although atopy refers to a lifelong inherited (genetic) predisposition to inhalant allergies such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever), atopic dermatitis is not known at this time to be a pure allergic disease. Atopic patients are likely to have asthma, hay fever, and dermatitis. Atopy is a very common condition, and it affects all races and ages, including infants. About 1%-2% of adults have the skin rash, and it is even more common in children. Most affected individuals have their first episode before 5 years of age. For most, the dermatitis will improve with time. For an unlucky few, atopic dermatitis is a chronic, recurrent disorder.

Other eczematous dermatoses include, but are not limited to, allergic contact dermatitis (cell-mediated allergy to a common substance such as poison oak or nickel), irritant dermatitis (from excessive contact with a harsh chemical substance), fungal infections, scabies infestations, stasis dermatitis, very dry skin (asteatosis), pompholyx (dyshidrosis), nummular dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis. The differentiation among these conditions is often difficult and time consuming. In addition, it is not uncommon for atopic dermatitis to coexist with another eczematous dermatitis.

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 5/12/2015

Read more:
Eczema: Read About Symptoms, Treatment and Causes

Introduction

Eczema is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder. It can appear as blisters that crust over to become scaly, itchy rashes, or as dry, thick patches of skin with scales. The main symptom is itching, and symptoms can come and go. Although eczema is not contagious, it is very common. People with eczema often have a personal or family history of allergies. There is no cure, however, treatments can reduce symptoms and help prevent outbreaks.

The most common signs of eczema are:

Eczema in children under 2 years old generally starts on the cheeks, elbows, or knees. In adults, it tends to be found on the inside surfaces of the knees and elbows.

Researchers do notknow for sure what causes eczema. It may be a combination of hereditary (genetic) and environmental factors. In some people, allergies may trigger eczema. Exposure to certain irritants and allergens can make symptoms worse, as can dry skin, exposure to water, temperature changes, and stress.

Stress can make eczema worse. Other irritants that can make eczema worse include:

Wool or synthetic fibers

Certain soaps and detergents, as well as perfumes and some cosmetics

Dust or sand

Cigarette smoke

Read the original:
Eczema | University of Maryland Medical Center

What Is Eczema?

Eczema is a common skin condition marked itchy and inflamed patches of skin. It is also known as atopic dermatitis. It is more common in babies and young children. It occurs on the faces of infants, as well as inside the elbows and behind the knees of children, teenagers, and adults. It is caused by an overactive immune system. Up to 20 percent of children and one to three percent of adults develop atopic dermatitis, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. In rare cases, atopic dermatitis can first appear during puberty or adulthood. It affects males and females equally.

When people refer to eczema, they usually mean atopic dermatitis, which is the common and chronic type of eczema. Other types include:

Find out if you're eligible to participate in an atopic dermatitis clinical trial

An eczema flare-up is when one or more eczema symptoms appear on the skin. The cause of eczema is not fully understood.

It is thought to be triggered by an overactive immune system that responds aggressively to the presence of irritants.

Eczema is sometimes caused in part by an abnormal response to proteins that are part of the body. Normally, the immune system ignores proteins that are part of the human body and attacks only the proteins of invaders, such as bacteria or viruses. In eczema, the immune system loses the ability to distinguish between the two, which causes inflammation.

Common triggers of eczema flare-ups include:

Other triggers include stress, food allergies, animal dander, and upper respiratory infections.

Eczema is characterized by itchy, dry, rough, flakey, inflamed, and irritated skin. It can flare up, subside, and then flare up again. It can occur anywhere but usually affects the arm, inner elbow, back of the knee, or head (particularly the cheeks and the scalp). It is not contagious and becomes less severe with age.

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Eczema: Definition, Causes, Treatments & Pictures

Eczema is a type of atopic dermatitis that results in red, irritated skin that may ooze and crust over causing the skin to appear scaly, according to the Australasian College of Dermatologists. Eczema of the fingernails occurs under and around the nail beds and occurs when the skin becomes irritated or is exposed to chronic moisture, such as when a child repeatedly sucks his thumb. There are several ways to treat nail eczema to clear up the unwanted redness and irritation.

Moisturizing lotion

Cold compress

Avoid over-exposure to water. This means staying out of the pool for extended periods of time and wearing rubber gloves when cleaning and doing the dishes. This will cut down on the dryness that will make nail eczema worse.

Apply moisturizing lotion to the nail beds at least once a day. This will keep the skin supple and can be used to treat eczema all over your body to help seal in moisture.

Identify what triggers your eczema and attempt to avoid it. According to Mayo Clinic.com, common eczema triggers include stress, contact with certain household cleaners, sweating and harsh soaps and perfumes.

Place a cold compress on the affected finger or toe nails when a flare-up is occurring. This could include a bag of peas wrapped in a hand towel or an ice pack. This will relieve the irritation, redness and swelling that is associated with eczema.

Cover the nails with a one percent hydrocortisone cream. This will help relieve any itching that might accompany eczema.

Speak to your doctor about any medications that will help treat the symptoms of nail eczema. These include immunomodulators that, according to the Mayo Clinic, will lessen the effects the immune system has on eczema. Another medication that may be prescribed is prednisone, which is a steroid that will reduce the inflammation of eczema.

How to Treat Psoriasis of the Fingernails

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How to Treat Nail Eczema (6 Steps) | eHow

What is Dyshidrotic Eczema?

This is a skin problem which is also known as dyshidrosis, or pompholyx. This skin condition creates fluid-filled, small blisters or vesicles on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands or both.

These blisters occurring in dyshidrotic eczema normally last around 3 weeks and causes extreme itching. When these blisters dry, cracks and groves or fissures develop, which are very painful.

Management for dyshidrotic eczema most often requires topical creams, ultraviolet light or wet compresses to improve the appearance as well as ease symptoms.

The cause of dyshidrotic eczema is not known. But, it can be linked with a similar disorder of the skin known as atopic dermatitis as well as allergic conditions, for instance asthma and hay fever known as allergic rhinitis. Eruptions can be seasonal in individuals with allergies.

With dyshidrotic eczema, the affected areas of the skin come to be inflamed. Because of this, the connections between the cells of the skin open and this allows fluid or serum to seal these spaces. Physicians denote this development as spongiosis since when viewed under microscope; the skin appears sponge-like with these numerous fluid-filled spaces.

Signs or symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema include:

Risk aspects for dyshidrotic eczema include:

Females seem to have this condition more than men

Appear to be more frequent during stressful times

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Dyshidrotic Eczema Pictures, Causes, Home Remedies ...

Looking for a solution to a malady that seems to befuddle the best minds the VA Hospital doctors have to offer, brought me to this site. I first came across it about a three months ago and read every posting at that time. Long story short I have suffered from the same symptoms all of you have for about three years. Swollen ear canals, crusty scabs, peeling skin and a clear sticky fluid flowing from the ear that just wont heal. I am in my late fifties and never have had allergies of any kind or immune system issues. Really havent been sick much as a matter of fact. This curse just appeared one day and just never went away.

When I first brought it to the attention of the VA doctors they just hoohaaed and said it was just some irritation that has scabbed because you picked at it. I explained that even if I dont touch it, it will scab, fall off and then rescab over and over. Over time it spread throughout the ear canal (left ear) and even moved out to my outer ear. Huge pieces of skin would just peel off and leave raw skin to seep crusty crust. It was pretty gross. Over the course of the next year I began to collect the skin and scabs that came from my ear and one day I took a pile of it (I weighed it and it was a full 3 grams of skin and scabs a pile about an inch high and four inches in diameter) to the VA hospital and asked them now do you believe me this is no simple irritation.

The VA doctors and ENT specialists gave me antibiotics, steroids, fungicides, anti-bacterials, anti-microbials, anti-God knows what in shots, pills, topicals and Clotrimazole Betamethasone Dipropionate cream, Cetaphil, Ectosone, Sofradex, Aquaphor and Zymox. I have otherwise tried on my own hydrogen peroxide, salt, apple vinegar, white vinegar, Epsom Salt, aloe vera, Vitamin E, Neosporin, Bacitraycin Plus, Blistex. Fluocinonide, Cortizone-10, Gold Bond Intensive Healing cream, Povidene-iodine, Gentian violet, fresh garlic, onions, olive oil, tea tree oil, a number of baby rash products, some Chinese medicine miracle herbal cures and probably some other things I cant remember. Nothing worked. Some things started out looking promising but they ended up just putting this curse on pause. In a matter of days it would return, sometimes worse than before trying one of these cures. Some of the attempted cures, like Neosporin, actually made the ear canal more sensitive, swollen and painful.

Last Saturday a miracle occurred. I have a dog, shes a Shar pei-Lab mix that weighs in at about a hundred pounds. At the beginning of Summer, I always begin treating her with Revolution between the shoulder blades for fleas and ticks. During pollen season and early Summer she seems to have regular outbreaks of hotspots and other similar skin maladies. Coincidentally enough, vets dont know what causes hotspots either. If the skin has hotspots (which are basically skin that scabs, crusts and peels leaving raw weeping wounds (sound familiar) and they cant attribute it to mange or some other type of mite or fungus, vets usually attribute it to allergies (sound familiar).

Well last year, I ordered a new product (well new to me anyway, I dont know how long it has been on the market) and began applying it to Lady (my dog) skin issues whenever she has a skin eruption. The product stated it was steroid-free, antibiotic-free and non-toxic. This easy to apply, safe product makes caring for your dogs wounds easy while rewarding them with the quality care they deserve. It claimed to work on

Cleaning and Debriding wounds Hot spots Scratches Skin Rashes Skin Ulcers Cuts Burns Post-Surgical sites Irritated skin Cleaning the Umbilical & Navel Sores Lacerations

It was even recommended by Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer). Well, let me tell you, it works GREAT! I have tried dozens of other products on my pets over the years and this stuff works like none other I have ever used before. Quickly healing any kind of skin issues my dear dog and cats suffer from. When I had my Lady fixed the surgical wound healed in a third of the time the vet said to expect and with zero trace of a scar. Amazing stuff.

So last Saturday, I had an epiphany. If this stuff works so well on my dog and cats maybe it will work on me. Hell, I had tried everything else known to modern medicine and then some. Steroid-free, antibiotic-free and non-toxic what could it possibly hurt to try. So I squirted a little on my finger and applied it into the ear canal. OMG!! Ten days later my ear is clear. For the first time in three years I have no pain, no weeping, no mushiness, improved hearing and the last scab/piece of skin fell out my ear three days ago. The ear canal is clear, pristine and smooth to the touch for the first time in years.

At this point I am crossing my fingers that it lasts. I just may have stumbled across a fix for something I had about accepted as being incurable. At this point I am sure you are like, well what the heck is this stuff! The product is called Vetericyn VF Wound and Infection Care. The VF designates it as the veterinarian formula (which is their extra strength offering). It comes in a liquid and in a hydrogel. You can buy it on Amazon for about $35 a 16 oz. spray bottle. I recommend the hydrogel because it sticks to the wound and doesnt run off like the liquid. I am crossing my fingers that this cure stays cured; but, at this point it is looking more promising than anything I have tried. I will let you know in a couple of weeks if it has succeeded and continued to clear up my ear. I am so excited I am beside myself.

P.S. if you do have a horse, dog or cat this stuff works miracles in treating abrasions, rashes, wounds, hotpots and other skin issues.

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Allergy/Eczema in Ears leaking clear fluid - Ear, Nose ...

I have a three year old son who has recently showed signs of becoming sensitized, to possibly everything. He has been diagnosed with ATOPIC ECZEMA. I have been researching all over, I understand there is some questions between dermatologists and allergists on what the cause for such a severe condition could be. Me his mother, being the genetic donor of such a horrible affliction, knows the condition first hand.

I strongly believe this condition has several parts to it. One being an immune issue, the second being allergies, and the third part extremely dry and sensitive skin. So with a sliver of knowledge, I am taking aim to improve his condition without the use of the enormous amount of drugs dermatologists have prescribed him at 3 years old. We are working closely with a wonderful allergist who has the patience and knowledge to deal with my family. My question is we now live in Albuquerque, NM. He has been through two RAST tests (blood tests to check for IgE levels), and a patch test which had no results for us to read. He, according to the RAST test has low and moderate levels to most allergic foods (wheat, dairy, corn, soy, eggs, and peanuts), he also shows a low moderate to dogs and elm.

At this point I have not noticed hay fever symptoms for our dogs we have, but with this new information from the blood tests, the dogs and his reactions to them are under my careful observation. He is on a very restricted diet and his skin is clearing with out the prescribed drugs. We will begin introducing one food at a time very soon to see the effects.

So sorry about the long preface to my question. We live in Abq., and have an opportunity to move to Fort Smith Arkansas. With the knowledge he has the possibility for his allergies to get worse (sensitized), which climate would be more likely to exascerbate his condition, the dry and very pollen filled Abq., or Arkansas a humid climate I know very little about? Kendra, Albuquerque, NM

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Atopic Eczema: What climate is best, dry or humid ...

Due to no health insurance, I am self-diagnosed with vaginal eczema. I have had eczema all over my body since the day I was born, but as I aged the symptoms lessened to the point that I rarely ever have any spots--except on my vaginal area, which has been tormenting me for about 20 years now.

About 15 years ago, my mother mentioned to me that a lot of people with eczema have allergy to aloe.I experimented with aloe & found out that FOR SURE I was one of them aloe-intolerant people.And it doesn't surprise me that I only had vaginal irritation for the last TWO decades, & not my whole life (I am now 40) because it's been only within the last 20 years that aloe has become a staple in almost EVERY beauty product.

I am sharing this with you all--a bit late, but hopefully someone who is browsing the web for a solution to the same problem can benefit from this.

Now I want to list some of the items that aloe is in, as I myself was amazed at my finding while trying to weed out aloe in my hygiene: Some bathroom tissue--toilet paper--has aloe.It may not say it on the package, but I recommend calling the customer service hotline to make sure yours doesn't.It's added to give the tissue softness. Almost every triple-blade & quadruple blade razor.It's in the moisture strip.Dollar Shave Club has a triple blade that doesn't have aloe.I only use their blades now. Hair gel, styling mouse, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, soap. Some girdles--believe it or not, some girdle makers CLAIM the aloe helps you lose fat while wearing it. Condoms--yes, some condoms even use aloe in the lubricants. Baby wipes. Shaving gel. I'll tell you the pain I've had for the last 11 years trying to get my partner to quit using his Aveeno aloe & flaxseed hair gel & to quit using them Bic blades with aloe.It has made my sex life absolute HADES b/c with all the aloe he was using on his body was causing severe irritation on my labia. He's finally weeded out the aloe, but only because *I* went out & bought him all theshaving supplies, hair supplies & paid for the monthly order from Dollar Shave Club. I'm telling you, you will come across 3 types of partners: 1. Those who don't care 2.Those who think you're making more out of it than what it is. 3.Those who think you're lying about the problem.

You have to stand alone on this & do what you can to promote your own sexual health--because apparently no one else will care.

Also, I want to say that the only thing that's helped me is Lysine Plus cream--meant for the lips on the face, not the vaginal ones--from Quantum Inc.Just dab lightly with it, it's way too expensive to apply liberally.

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Treatment of Vaginal Eczema - Dermatology - MedHelp