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Chiara Berry and her husband, Jonathon, who live in Newton-le-Willows in Merseyside, discovered their young son Angelo had the condition when he was just six-weeks-old

Image: Chiara Berry)

A mum struggled to hold her young baby due to the pain caused by eczema, which left the skin on his body 'open and weeping'.

Chiara Berry and her husband, Jonathon, discovered their young son Angelo had the condition when he was just six-weeks-old.

The family, who also have a daughter - six-year-old Rosa-Maria - and another baby due in December live in Newton-le-Willows.

Shortly after Angelo, now four-years-old, was born they had taken him to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool Echo reports.

Chiara said: "It was around his six week check-up, we noticed his skin was very dry and that's how it started out."

The mental health nurse describes her son's skin as "red and bloody, dry and flaky," with doctors warning her that the severity of her son's eczema could scar him for life.

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In photographs, the painful condition can be seen across all of Angelo's body, including his face.

Chiara said it was a struggle to hold him as a baby as the condition had left her young son "in so much pain".

To help treat the worst effects of the eczema, strong steroid creams were applied to Angelo while being wrapped in bandages.

Chiara said: "He had to have bandage therapy for three weeks all over his body.

"They have special cream they put on the skin and special, strong steroid creams in the bandages themselves.

"They wrap them like a mummy so it soaked in and it had to be changed every other day."

Now four-years-old, for the most part Angelo's eczema can be treated with steroid creams and he is no longer covered head-to-toe in painful rashes.

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Chiara said: "He still gets in behind his knees, his elbows. It tends to just be a flare up but the creams we have at home target it immediately.

"They told us as he grows older he should get better. And we have noticed in these four years massive improvements already.

"He's brilliant, he's currently off with chicken pox at the moment. He's just started school last week and we're really happy with his progress.

"We're really made up as a family because at one stage, even just holding him as a baby, he was in so much pain. We did worry about it quite a bit but he's come on loads.

"Even when we talk to people about Angelo's story, they just can't believe how bad he was.

"We've got all the pictures on my phone because sometimes his skin would be back and the doctors would say that he might be scarred for life, but we can't see any scars on him."

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Last week (September 11-18) was National Eczema Week, when the National Eczema Society called on people to talk about their own experiences living with the condition.

According to the society, Eczema is a non-contagious, inflammatory skin condition that can affect people from early infancy to old age.

The most common form, atopic eczema, affects one in five children and one in 10 adults in the UK.

The condition can cause the skin to become unbearably itchy and the urge to scratch can be irresistible.

During a flare-up it can also be red, cracked, sore and raw.

Alongside the painful physical symptoms, many children and adults experience related sleeplessness, anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.

More information on living with the condition and treatments can be found on the NHS website and at the National Eczema Society.

Excerpt from:
Baby 'in so much pain' due to eczema he had to be 'wrapped up like a mummy' - The Mirror

Severe eczema, if left untreated, can become dangerous and lead to potentially life-threatening complications. Many people can treat mild to moderate cases of eczema, despite how scary that may sound.

Use creams, antihistamines or oral antihistamines along with mild soaps without dyes and fragrances. A humidifier can help keep flare-ups under control.

Eczema is a common skin condition in children but can develop at any age, according to the Mayo Clinic. Eczema symptoms can include dryness and itching, red or other colored patches, small raised bumps (or any other color), cracked skin, scaly, swollen, and rough skin.

Eczema may come and go, but flare-ups can happen at any time. Sometimes, triggers can make it worse. Flare-ups can be caused by stress, pollen, sweat, and dust.

The condition may worsen in infants with food allergies. Triggers include eggs, dairy, wheat, and soy. If you have a fever or skin symptoms that are not normal, consult a doctor right away.

Obviously, avoid your specific triggers that cause flare-ups to occur. Your doctor may recommend or prescribe topical creams and even ointments. Creams and lotions can be used to seal the moisture into your skin, which can help prevent flare-ups. A shorter, more refreshing shower can help soothe the skin and reduce irritation.

Dry air can worsen the symptoms of eczema. The skin can become more sensitive to dry air, especially in colder months. In fact, dry air combined with indoor heating systems can dry out anyones skin. Therefore, using a humidifiermay help combat or prevent flare-ups from happening.

Amazon, the online store for everything, of course, has an array of humidifiers from which to choose from. Below are some of our top picks.

The Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier keeps the air moisturized for 25 hours and has an automatic shut-off. It is quiet, easy to clean, and has an optional nightlight.

AquaOasis Cool Mist Hummingbird, Quiet Ultrasonic Cool Mist A Humidifiers, or the TAOTRON Humidifier are all great choices.

Humidifiers are great for skin conditions like eczema, however, they may also help with other issues as well.

A humidifier can help with dry sinuses and other conditions such as seasonal allergies, dry eyes, dry sinuses, or irritated vision. The humidifier will be appreciated by indoor plants, which thrive in humid conditions.

Your humidifier should be cleaned regularly to avoid bacteria and mold growth. This can worsen any existing health conditions. You can keep the humidifier in operation for many years by using hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar.

Originally posted here:
When it comes to healing eczema, this trick works wonders. - Central Recorder

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a non-contagious, inflammatory dry skin condition that can occur from early infancy to old age, with the most common form - atopic eczema - affecting one in five children and one in 10 adults across the UK.

The National Eczema Society explains how the skin can often be unbearably itchy, with the urge to scratch difficult to suppress and during a flare-up it may also be red, cracked, sore and raw.

However, many people across the UK living with any form of eczema may not be aware they could be eligible for financial support through the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Eczema is different for every person who lives with this debilitating long-term condition. The physical symptoms of eczema can be extremely difficult, including the torment of relentless itching and having to cope with raw, inflamed and bleeding skin.

But, the hidden cost of eczema is the profound impact it can have on peoples emotional wellbeing. Among other things, eczema can significantly affect relationships, social life, sleep, schooling and mental health.

As part of National Eczema Week, we are encouraging people with any of the 15 different types of eczema to check that they are not missing out on vital financial support to help them with the additional costs of living with the condition.

The latest figures from the DWP show that in July there were 2.8 million people across the UK claiming support through PIP and accessing a whole range of additional assistance including Council Tax Reductions, benefit top-ups and free or discounted public transport.

Of that total, 292,231 Scots are now receiving financial support between 23.70 and 152.15 every week PIP is paid every four weeks, so that amounts to between 94.80 and 608.60 each month - tax-free.

The statistics also show there are 889 people claiming PIP for some form of eczema.

This includes:

You do not need to have worked or paid National Insurance contributions to qualify for PIP, and it does not matter what your income is, if you have any savings or if youre in or out of work.

You must also have a health condition or disability where you:

The DWP will judge the eligibility of your PIP claim on a period of 12 months, looking back for three months and forward for nine months - they must consider if your illness changes over time.

You usually need to have lived in Scotland for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply.

If you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP:

preparing, cooking or eating food

managing your medication

washing, bathing or using the toilet

dressing and undressing

engaging and communicating with other people

reading and understanding written information

making decisions about money

planning a journey or following a route

moving around - outside the home

You are classified as needing help to do an activity if you need a person or a device to:

You may also be classified as needing help if you do an activity yourself but:

The PIP scoring criteria awards points for a statement which applies to you for each activity

The DWP will decide which statement best fits your situation most of the time. You will get a set amount of points ranging from 0 -12 for each activity.

The total number of points you get for each group of activities will decide whether you are entitled to PIP, and how much money you will receive.

To get the standard rate daily living component, you need to score between 8 to 11 points in total for the daily living activities. You need 12 points to get the enhanced rate.

To get the standard rate mobility component, you need to score between 8 to 11 points in total for the mobility activities. You need 12 points to get the enhanced rate.

PIP is usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid every week.

PIP will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.

PIP is made up of two components - daily living and mobility.

Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you.

You could receive the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances:

Daily living

Standard rate - 60.00

Enhanced rate - 89.60

Mobility

Standard rate - 23.70

Enhanced rate - 62.55

You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP work out the level of help you need.

Face-to-face assessments have now restarted and will be offered alongside telephone and video based assessments. All assessments will follow strict public health guidelines and put the safety of the claimant first - we have a full guide on how to prepare for assessments here.

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You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, youll find all the information you need to apply on the gov.uk website here.

Before you call, you will need:

your contact details, for example telephone number

your date of birth

your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits

your bank or building society account number and sort code

your doctor or health workers name, address and telephone number

dates and addresses for any time youve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital

Once you have contacted the DWP, they will send you a document to complete which consists of 14 questions and a section for any additional information.

The questions focus on how your condition affects you - put as much relevant detail in as you can to help the assessor understand your physical and mental health needs.

If you have difficulty filling in your form or understanding the questions, contact your local council and ask for help or Citizens Advice Scotland.

We have a breakdown of all 14 questions here and you can take an anonymous self-test online at Benefits and Work to see how many points you would be awarded for each response.

For more information about PIP, visit GOV.UK here.

Get the latest money-saving and benefits news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our weekly Money newsletterhere.

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Claim PIP for eczema and you could receive up to 608 every month from the DWP - Daily Record

SPRINGFIELD In recent weeks, mold has forced the closing of South Hadley High School and the temporary shuttering of the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse here, as well as two Northampton schools, as mitigation efforts got underway to clean and remove it.

Exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as a stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings.

Individuals said to be at greatest risk for serious allergic reactions to the tiny, airborne spores that exist in thousands of species of mold include those with history of family allergies and who are exposed over time including, not only in classrooms or workspaces, but at home.

Dr. Jackie Garrett, a board certified allergist and immunologist with Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group, said one of the first steps in evaluating someone for a possible mold allergy is their environmental history.

I ask where they live, how old is the house they are living in, do they have carpeting, is the basement damp, do they have a ventilation system in place, do they have a central air system with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to get rid of these small particles, Garrett said. I also ask if they are running a dehumidifier, is their bathroom ventilated, meaning after they take their shower, are they turning on that fan to dry out the air and has there been a leak before the onset of their symptoms?

Garrett, who treats patients with allergies, asthma and primary immunodeficiency diseases, said the reason for such questions is that molds like damp, wet environments.

Having proper ventilation is key in keeping moisture down inside of a home or a building just to help lessen the environment that is going to make it nice and friendly for mold to grow, Garrett said. Think damp, dark, humid places.

She said she tells patient that particularly in the cold months when you are running your heaters, you want to ensure the humidity is less than 50% in your home.

Mold and dust mites will grow with high humidity, Garrett said. Humidity is a friend for mold growing. Having good ventilation inside of a home, inside of a building is really good for keeping the mold count down and not making it a favorable environment to grow in.

She said that for indoor mold accumulation it is very important to make sure the space is cleaned appropriately.

When my patients come in and I say I live in an apartment building and I am seeing mold on the ceiling, I say you need to call the landlord immediately to come in and do a cleaning and if it is really involved you have to do a mold remediation to make sure it is all out, Garrett said. This makes sure you are not having the constant exposure to the mold on a daily basis.

Outdoor mold exposure can be seasonal, while indoor types can present ongoing challenges, she said.

We see outdoor mold April through November, and we have had a wet spring and summer and it is looking like that for fall, too, Garrett said. Outdoor mold counts are definitely on the rise because of it. Historically, when the leaves fall you have a higher exposure. People have always had problems with indoor mold. Basements that are damp or if people accumulate old books and newspapers or keep have organic plants. I have seen throughout my career concerns for mold allergy but not specific to these exposures.

People who work in certain occupations, like farming and logging, that can exposed them to mold can be at risk for allergies to them especially if they have a history of family allergies or environmental allergies themselves, she said. Symptoms can be mild to severe.

You can have typical allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nose), sneezing, congestion, runny, stuffy eye symptoms, itchy, runny nose, Garrett said. Some people with eczema, or atopic dermatitis, they will have rashes if they get into contact with mold.

She said people with asthma can experience significant symptoms from a mold exposure.

An asthmatic child, for example, not wearing gloves or a mask when picking up leaves can get an eczema flare or an asthma flare, Garrett said. More involved can be someone who has had problems with rhinosinusitis, that is, inflammation of the sinus passages. They can get allergic fungal sinusitis that is essentially a sinus infection, but fungal.

She added, You can also have allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in people who have had moderate to severe asthma and that might not be well controlled and they are having a consistent exposure to mold that could be in a classroom or home environment.

There is also a really rare condition that you can find in people with asthma called hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Garrett said. This is an inflammatory response that happens in the lungs.

She said that more severe cases of mold infections can be found as well in people who have susceptibilities.

People who are immunocompromised or on immuno-suppression medication, Garrett said. You have more invasive mold infections with people with HIV-AIDS or someone who has cancer and is on immuno-suppressive medication.

However, she said the majority of individuals if they have problems with mold, they are just on the allergy spectrum.

They are going to have nasal and eye symptoms, just as if they were exposed to other allergens like pollen, Garrett said.

She said skin testing can be done to determine whether an individual has a mold allergy and a course of treatment both immediate and long-term devised in needed.

The severity of symptoms in someone who may be susceptible can be influenced by length of exposure, Garrett said.

Say we have a bad rainfall and you get a leak in your basement, she said. You dont know about it because your basement is not finished and you dont really go down there and so the mold sets in. You are an allergic person in a house with mold for a month. You can start having more significant symptoms versus somebody like an asthmatic who is just cleaning leaves and gets that one-time exposure.

She added, More chronic exposure can set you up for more significant symptom complaints so you may end up with not just the runny eyes and itchy nose but if you do have baseline respiratory issues as with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), you could end up having more persistent symptoms.

Related content:

Continued here:
Mold proves to be health risk in workplace, homes - MassLive.com

For centuries, shea butter has been used as a cosmetic ingredient, and until today it is an essential component in most of the skincare and haircare products. Extracted from the nuts of shea trees in West Africa, the butter is off-white, yellow, or ivory in color and is rich in vitamins and fatty acids. Unlike what many would think at the look of it, the consistency of shea butter is easy to spread and melts at body temperature. Shea butter has myriads of benefits which makes it an amazing conditioning, moisturizing, and soothing product. Here is why you need to make it a beauty and skincare staple.

1. Shea butter is an excellent moisturizer for skin and hair. It is ideal for dry and dull skin as it helps retain and lock the moisture by forming a protective barrier on the surface of the skin. Shea butter also helps your hair from breakage, moisturizes the scalp, and can reduce dandruff.

2. It wont make the skin oily. Unlike coconut oil, shea butter will not clog your pores or make your skin oily. The linoleic, oleic, and stearic acids are easily absorbed into the skin and wont leave any oily residues.

3. Shea butter has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. If you suffer from skin conditions such as eczema, shea butter will help soothe your skin and reduce inflammation and irritation. The quick absorption into the skin will give a feeling of relief quicker than you think.

4. It heals scars and reduces the appearance of stretch marks. Shea butter is usually found in scar-healing products because the fatty acids content in it softens the scar tissue and helps speed up the healing process. Shea butter is also the base of ointments and creams used to treat stretch marks because it restores the skins elasticity and improves collagen production.

5. Shea butter has ant-aging properties and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Vitamin A and E found in shea butter nourish the skin and keep it supple, plumped, and radiant. The anti-aging properties and antioxidants found in shea butter prevent premature skin aging and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Follow this link:
5 Reasons why Shea Butter Should Be Your Go-To Beauty Potion - Egypttoday