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Because eczema is often used as an umbrella term for a group of chronic, itchy skin rashes, a simple definition of the skin condition is hard to come by. Many people with eczema develop dry, itchy, red patches of skin. In some forms of eczema, blisters develop. Scratching can inflame the rash and cause weeping of clear fluid. Over time, the affected patches of skin can thicken. Eczema can look different depending on the type of rash and where it appears on the body. Symptoms typically flare up for a period of time and then calm down before surfacing again. More than 30 million Americans have some form of eczema. While the exact cause is unclear, a combination of factors, such as genes, environment, and immune system are thought to play a role.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of the skin condition, and its usually what people are referring to when they talk about eczema. About one in five children develop atopic dermatitis, often in infancy and usually by age 5. (Only a small percentage of adults develop this type of eczema.)

Dry, scaly, red, and itchy patches can appear on the face, scalp, hands, or feet; inside the elbows; or behind the knees. In more severe cases, these patches crack and crust over, and they can become infected. Atopic dermatitis comes and goes, with periods when symptoms are worse and other times when the rash goes into remission and disappears. It tends to occur in families with a history of this eczema, hay fever, or asthma. It can be a lifelong condition, although some children outgrow it or see symptom improvement as they age.

With this type of eczema, itchy, fluid-filled blisters develop under the skin on the hands or the feet, especially palms, soles, or sides of the fingers. Patches of flaky, red skin can develop. Over time, the affected skin can become thick and cracked.

Dyshidrotic eczema (also called pompholyx) may be aggravated by stress or frequent or long periods of contact with water. Working with certain metalssuch as chromium, cobalt, or nickelcan trigger symptoms. It is more common in women, and there is a higher risk if you have had atopic dermatitis (eczema) or allergic rhinitis (hay fever). It tends to occur in spring and summer and in warmer climates.

Round or oval areas of itchy, inflamed sores are the hallmark of this type of eczema, which is also called nummular dermatitis or discoid eczema.

Clusters of tiny pimples form plaques, or patches, that become scaly. One or more areas of the skin, usually on the arms and legs, can be affected. It is more common in older males, but young women can get it, too. Nummular eczema tends to occur in people with dry skin, especially in winter. Like other types of eczema, symptoms can come and go. New patches may form where there was injury to the skin (such as an insect bite). Keeping skin moisturized can help prevent future flare-ups.

RELATED: What The Night Of Gets Right (and Wrong) About Eczema

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How do you know a rash is eczema and not psoriasis or another skin condition? Eczema is usually accompanied by uncontrollable itching that worsens when you scratch it and can interfere with sleep. People sometimes scratch until they bleed, yet itching persists, and the wound becomes vulnerable to infection.

The signs and symptoms of eczema can vary from one person to the next.

Atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, usually strikes in childhood. Babies tend to develop a red rash on their cheeks and scalp that turns dry and scaly. The rash can bubble up, ooze, and crust over. In young children, other body sites may be affected, such as the inside folds of the elbows or knees, or the hands, wrists, or feet. Over time, these patches can lighten or darken, and they may become thick and bumpy and constantly itchy.

Dyshidrotic eczema typically strikes the hands and feet. People with this type of eczema develop small, fluid-filled blisters that itch and burn. The blisters weep, crust over, and crack, exposing the skin to painful infection.

Nummular eczema produces pimples or blisters that leak fluid and form crusty, coin-shaped patches on the legs, arms, hands, feet, or torso. It occurs more often in the winter months.

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While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, scientists believe its a product of your genes and the environment. Eczema risk is greater in children whose parents had eczema or a condition like asthma or hay fever.

Usually the skin serves as a shield against toxins, bacteria, and allergens. With eczema, that protective barrier dries out and is easily breached by irritants in the environment. Exposure to household products (such as soap, detergent, or fragrances) or to allergens (dust, pollen, or pet dander) may trigger eczema symptoms.

Other factors that may cause asthma symptoms to flare include stress and anxiety; cold or dry weather; dust, sand, or pollution; and wearing wool or synthetic fibers.

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Eczema typically produces a red, itchy, scaly rash, but exact symptoms can differ from person to person. What eczema looks like may depend on the type of eczema. Eczema rash can affect different body parts, from the scalp to the toes. Some people may develop a patch or two of inflammation, while others have multiple lesions. Eczema symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, usually begins in infancy or childhood. The first sign of eczema in babies is often red cheeks. In children, eczema usually appears in the inner folds on the elbows and knees. Dyshidrotic eczema is more common in young adults. It produces fluid-filled blisters on the hands and feet. Older men are more likely to develop nummular eczema, which produces distinctive circular or oval patches of blistered, scaly rash.

A red, itchy rash across the cheeks and chin is often the first sign of atopic dermatitis (eczema) in infants. Eventually, the rash begins to ooze and crust over, and drooling can worsen symptoms. Eczema rash may improve or disappear as children get older, although some people continue to experience flare-ups as adults. Treatment for mild eczema on the face may include topical ointments or creams as well as moisturizers.

Dry, chapped, and itchy skin on the hands that doesnt improve with moisturizer may be a sign of hand eczema. Symptoms can include red, itchy, inflamed skin with blistering that can lead to oozing, crusting, and cracking. People who have their hands in water all day or work closely with irritants such as detergents or solvents are more likely to develop this type of eczema. If you had atopic dermatitis as a child, you may also have a higher risk of developing hand eczema. Applying a cream after washing hands or wearing gloves may help protect hands from future flare-ups.

Eczema in babies can spread to other body parts, including the scalp. It is red, itchy and crusty. This is different from cradle cap (also known as seborrheic dermatitis), which produces redness and white or yellow flakes on the scalp. Treatment for scalp eczema may include a topical ointment applied to the rash.

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Theres no single test for diagnosing eczema. Your doctor or your childs pediatrician will conduct a physical exam. Some patients may be referred to a dermatologist or allergist. Doctors look for typical signs and symptoms of eczema, such as itching and rash.

The difficulty is often ruling out other conditions that cause irritating skin symptoms. Atopic dermatitis, for example, may be confused with seborrheic dermatitis (a common condition that mainly affects the scalp), while nummular eczema may resemble ringworm (a contagious fungal infection). Sometimes a skin patch test or allergy test may be required to confirm an eczema diagnosis by ruling out other conditions.

Expect your doctor to ask about your family history of allergic disease, since eczema can run in families. Kids with eczema can also go on to develop food allergy, hay fever (also known as allergic rhinitis), and asthmausually in that order (this is sometimes called the atopic march).

Tell your doctor when symptoms first appeared, how often you or your child experiences symptoms, other body parts that are affected, whether the problem comes and goes, and when it seems to flare up. Your doctor may ask about any allergies you or your child have and potential triggers of symptoms.

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Unfortunately, theres no single magic bullet to get rid of eczema. But there are a number of treatments and strategies for relieving symptoms, reducing inflammation, and preventing flare-ups. These include ointments and creams that are applied to the skin, oral antibiotics or antihistamines, and an injectable medication.

Restoring moisture is crucial for preventing symptom flare-ups. Soaks and wet wraps can soothe pain and itching. Prescription and over-the-counter moisturizers can help repair dry skin and keep it hydrated.

Steroid ointments and creams have long been the go-to remedy to clear up eczema rash. These topical treatments (also called corticosteroids) can help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms during a flare-up. But they are not recommended for long-term use due to serious potential side effects. Topical steroids come in different strengths, so if one doesnt do the job, your doctor may switch to a more potent version.

Newer non-steroidal medicines called calcineurin inhibitors are another option. These drugs include Elidel (pimecrolimus) cream for mild-to-moderate eczema and Protopic (tacrolimus) ointment is approved for moderate-to-severe symptoms.

Eucrisa (crisaborole) ointment 2% is another option for eczema patients 2 years old and older. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2016, Eucrisa inhibits an enzyme that promotes inflammation.

The newest weapon against eczema, approved in March 2017, is Dupixent (dupilumab) for adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. It is administered as an injection under the skin and is intended for people whose eczema is not controlled by topical therapies or for whom topical treatment isnt recommended. The active ingredient in Dupixent is an antibody that blocks a protein that causes inflammation.

Light therapy (also called phototherapy) using a special device that emits ultraviolet light is an option for clearing difficult-to-treat eczema and rashes that are dispersed across the body.

Topical products containing coal tar or antihistamines may be prescribed for itch relief.

An antibiotic may be given to treat bacterial skin infections. Diluted bleach baths are sometimes used to treat baby eczema that results in frequent infections. (Be sure to consult your doctor first for specific instructions.)

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If you suspect eczema, see a doctor who can diagnose the condition and recommend treatments to heal the rash and prevent future flare-ups.

Eczema requires a lot of self-care. Youll need to recognize and avoid triggers, including allergens and other skin irritants. Keeping skin moisturized and avoiding temperature extremesheat that makes you sweat or low humidity that zaps the skin of moisturemay be important strategies for managing eczema.

There might be times when you or your child must seek additional advice and follow-up care. Consult your doctor about making dietary changes if your or your childs symptoms, medical history, and diagnostic testing suggest that food allergies may be an eczema trigger. You should also see a doctor right away if signs of infection are present. Patches of eczema with yellow crusting or pus-filled blisters, or areas around the patches that are red, hot, swollen, and painful may signal that skin is infected.

Report any change in the severity of eczema symptoms. And if a prescribed treatment doesnt seem to be working, contact your doctor about adjusting your medication.

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Atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema, often develops before age 1, and 90% of people who have it get it by age 5, reports the American Academy of Dermatology.

Baby eczema can look different from eczema in children or adults. In the first six months of life, babies may develop red, oozing rashes on the scalp and face, especially the cheeks, chin, and forehead. Later in infancy, eczema rash can pop up on elbows and knees.

To manage baby eczema, it is important to know what may trigger a flare-up of symptoms. Common triggers include pollen, pet dander, dust, smoke, soap, shampoo, certain foods, infection, and wool or synthetic fabric.

Having a good bathing and moisturizing routine can keep your babys skin hydrated. Heres what the American Academy of Dermatology recommends:

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Eczema is not contagious. You cannot get it from someone or spread it to other people. Although scientists dont know exactly what causes eczema, the current thinking is that its your genes and the environment that set the stage for the condition.

However, having eczema may expose the skin to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, which can spread to other parts of the body or to others through skin-to-skin contact.

Dry, cracking skin creates an entryway for foreign invaders. Scratching itchy eczema patches can also introduce infection. In either case, when infection sets in, eczema can worsen and become more difficult to treat.

Fever, oozing, and pus-filled blisters may be signs of infection.

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Eczema Overview, Symptoms and Treatment - Health.com

Eczema is incredibly common, and about30 million people in the United States are affected by some form this frustrating skin condition. Butit's not always so easy to understand how to care for your eczema. When so many substancesmay trigger an eczema flare(the long listincludes certain fibers, scented detergents, pollen, pet dander, and much more)how do you deal?

There are multiple types of eczema, but the condition is generally characterized by a red, itchy,inflammatory skinreaction, saysJoshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist and Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospitals Department of Dermatology. "Eczema is a condition in which the skin cannot protect itself from the environment and, as a result, becomes inflamed," he says. "The outer skin layer develops microscopic cracks in it and loses hydration, leading to disruption of the skin barrier."

While your doctor may have more tailored advice based on the type of eczema you have and your specific symptoms, Dr. Zeichner says one of thebest ways to ease symptoms ofeczema is to improve hydration and reduce inflammationboth of which start with great self-care. Here, dermatologists explain exactly how to care for your sensitive eczema skin at home.

RELATED: 10 Home Remedies for Eczema

A person with normal skin might get by moisturizing their skin every so often, but people with eczema likely need toslather on lotion a lot more often, perhaps as much as multiple times a day. "While some areas of the body may develop rashes, all of the skin may be dry and weak because of genetics if you have eczema," Dr. Zeichner explains. "While we cannot change your genes, we can compensate for them." He suggests looking for a body moisturizer that contains ingredients like petrolatum, such asVaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Unscented Lotion ($9; walmart.com), which will form a protective seal over the outer skin layer to prevent water loss and help the damaged skin barrier repair itself.

You might enjoy extremely hot showers, but your eczema skin does not. "Hot water can strip the skin of essential oils, and the longer the exposure, the worse off we are,"Dr.Zeichner says. "Stick to short showers of less than 10 minutes, with lukewarm water." He adds that "lukewarm" means that watershould be around the temperature you might expect from a heated pool.Test it before you step in; if the water feels hot immediately as it touches your skin, lower the temperature.

"Oil-based products are the best way to add moisture back into the skin and create a barrier to retain it," says Dendy Engelman, MD, a dermatologic surgeon at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Centers in New York City. She's an advocatefor the "soak and grease" method:"I use a two-step process, an in-shower oil and lotion, followed by lotion to trap moisture in." Apply your out-of-shower lotion or oil immediately after stepping out.

Your skin needs extra TLC, so Dr. Zeichner recommends the most sensitive sunscreens to protect yourself from harmful (and drying) rays. "Especially if you have sensitive skin or eczema, your skin may be more at risk from allergies or irritation from the sunscreen ingredients," he explains. "While baby sunscreens are designed with kids in mind, they are effective in adults, as well, and may be appropriate for people with dry, irritated skin." Dr. Zeichner says baby sunscreens typically only contain mineral-based ingredients, which are less likely to aggravate your skin.A good pick:Neutrogena Pure and Free Baby Sunscreen SPF 60+ ($12; target.com).

Many soaps and body washeshave harsh ingredients thatcan disrupt the skin's barrier, or scents that may aggravate eczema symptoms.Instead, Dr. Zeichner recommends choosingcleansers that contain gentle ingredients, such as colloidal oatmeal. Hes a fan of Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash ($15 for 2; amazon.com).

Another option: Dr. Engelmanrecommends Cetaphil RestoraDerm($19; target.com). And as a general rule, "[a]void harsh soaps with fragrances, glycolic acid,salicylic acid, and retinols that can further irritate the skin by drying them out," she says.

People with eczema may want to invest in a good humidifier, especially during the drier winter months. "Arid environments can put stress on already dry skin," Dr. Zeichner says. "A cool-mist humidifier in your bedroom will add moisture to the air, so your skin does not have to work as hard to maintain hydration." Why cool mist? Dr.Zeichner says this type of humidifier is safer than a hot-steam model, which can burn your skin if you get too close to it.

If you're takingultra-gentle care of your skin and your eczema symptoms are still impacting your daily life, see a dermatologist. A dermatologist can help you pinpoint the exact cause of your eczema, as well as suggest stronger treatment options that may help ease symptoms."There are a variety of prescription barrier-repair creams and new medications, both topically and systemically, that can treat this condition," says Dr. Zeichner.

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7 Skin Self-Care Strategies Everyone With Eczema Should Be Doing - Health.com

June 16, 2017 Micrograph of a heart with fibrosis (yellow) and amyloidosis (brown). Movat's stain. Credit: Nephron/Wikipedia

For the roughly 7 percent of adults who live with atopic dermatitis, a common form of eczema, a new study reports a little good news: Despite recent findings to the contrary, the skin condition is likely not associated with an increase in cardiovascular risk factors or diseases.

"In our study, people who reported having atopic dermatitis were not at any increased risk for high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart attacks or strokes," said lead author Dr. Aaron Drucker, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and a physician with the Lifespan Physicians Group.

The findings appear in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Drucker and a team of co-authors made the findings by analyzing the records of 259,119 adults aged 30-74 in the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project. Drucker led the data analysis with the hypothesis, suggested by two recent studies, that people with atopic dermatitis (AD) would be significantly more likely to have various cardiovascular problems.

Instead, he found that the opposite was the case.

A diagnosis of AD was associated with somewhat reduced risk of stroke (0.79 times the odds), hypertension (0.87 times), diabetes (0.78 times) and heart attack (0.87 times). Drucker emphasized, however, that he does not believe that AD is protectivegiven the mixed evidence accumulated by researchers, the best conclusion is that AD is likely not positively associated with cardiovascular disease.

"It's important to make this clear so it doesn't get misinterpreted: Even though we found lower rates of these outcomes with atopic dermatitis, we are not interpreting that as atopic dermatitis decreasing the risk," he said.

The findings are based on a statistical analysis that accounted for confounders including age, gender, ethnic background, body-mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, sleep, physical activity and asthma.

The suspicion that AD might be associated with cardiovascular disease has likely arisen from the better-substantiated association researchers have found between the skin condition psoriasis and cardiovascular disease, Drucker said. But while the two inflammatory skin ailments share some clinical similarities, he said, they work differently at the molecular level, which might explain why only one may be associated with cardiovascular disease.

"In response to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease discovered for psoriasis, clinicians and psoriasis patients have been encouraged to more actively screen for and manage cardiovascular disease," Drucker said. "It appears that similar measures may not be warranted for atopic dermatitis."

Drucker acknowledged that the study could not answer the question of whether AD severity might correlate with cardiovascular disease. He said he is pursuing that question in new research, though there is a paucity of datasets that include both severity information and cardiovascular disease diagnoses.

Explore further: Vitamin D levels not linked to asthma or dermatitis

More information: British Journal of Dermatology (2017). DOI: 10.1111/bjd.15727/full

Vitamin D supplementation is unlikely to reduce the risk of asthma in children or adults, atopic dermatitis, or allergies according to a new study published in PLOS Medicine by Brent Richards, of McGill University, Canada, ...

(HealthDay)Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with increased risk of alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo, according to research published online Jan. 18 in Allergy.

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There's a typical "career" for some allergic people, and it starts very early on the skin: babies develop atopic dermatitis, food allergies may follow, then comes asthma and later on hay fever. A group of scientists led by ...

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An international team of scientists has identified several genetic mutations that, should they arise, could potentially allow the avian influenza strain H7N9 to spread between humans. The findings are published in PLOS Pathogens.

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections, and they tend to come back again and again, even when treated. Most UTIs are caused by E. coli that live in the gut and spread to the urinary tract.

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Study casts doubt about link between eczema, cardiovascular disease - Medical Xpress