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Eczema Facts

What is eczema?

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a recurring, non-infectious, inflammatory skin circumstances affecting 1 in three Malaysians at some stage throughout their lifetimes. The condition is most common in people with a family history of an celiac disease, such as asthma or hay fever.

Atopic eczema exist the most common form of the illness among Malaysians. The skin becomes red, itchy, scaly and itchy, and in severe cases, possible weep, bleed and crust over, causing the sufferer much discomfort. Sometimes the skin may become infected. The circumstances can also flare and deteriorate for no clear reason.

Though eczema affects all ages, it usually appears in early childhood (in babies between two-to-six months old ) and hastens around six years of age. In fact, more in contrast to half of eczema sufferers show signs in their top 12 weeks of life and 20 percent of people grow eczema earlier the age of five.

Most kids grow out of the circumstances, but a small percentage may experience severe eczema into maturity. The circumstances could not just affect the individual sufferer, but also their loved ones and friends. Adult onset psoriasis is often very tricky to treat and may be brought on by other factors like medications.

What causes eczema?

The exact cause of eczema is unknown – it appears to be linked to the following internal and external triggers:

Internal

  • A family history of eczema, asthma or hay fever (the strongest predictor): if both parents have eczema, there is an 80 per cent chance that their children may also develop eczema
  • Some foods and alcohol: dairy and wheat products, citrus fruits, eggs, nuts, seafood, chemical food additives, preservatives and colourings
  • Stress

External

  • Irritants: tobacco smoke, chemicals, weather (hot and humid or cold and dry conditions) and air conditioning or overheating
  • Allergens : house dust mites, moulds, grasses, plant pollens, foods, pets and clothing, soaps, shampoos and washing

What are the symptoms of eczema?

  • Moderate-to-severely itching skin
  • rash – dry, red, patchy or cracked skin. Commonly it appears on the face, hands, neck, inner elbows, backs of the knees and ankles, but can appear on any part of the body.
  • Skin weeping watery fluid
  • Rough, “leathery,” thick skin

How does eczema affect people?

Although eczema is itself is not a life-threatening disorder, it can certainly have a debilitating effect on a victim, their carers and their family's grade of life. Night-time itching can induce sleepless nights and place a outstanding strain upon customs. Eczema'flare-ups' can often lead to absenteeism from work, school, private activities & duties. For several severe victims it would also mean hospitalizations & high cost remedies.

Is there a cure for eczema?

Although there is no known cure for eczema and it can be a lifelong condition, treatment can offer symptom control.

How do you diagnose eczema?

Only a doctor or skin specialist, usually a Dermatologist, can formally diagnose eczema

An accurate diagnosis requires a complete skin examination, a thorough medical history and the presence of a chronically recurring rash with intense itching that is consistent with eczema. Itching is an important clue to diagnosing eczema. If an itch is not present, chances are that the problem is not eczema.

While there is no test to determine whether a person has eczema, tests may be conducted to rule out other possibilities.

What are the treatment options for eczema?

The goal of treating eczema is to heal the skin and to both prevent and minimize flare-ups. This can be done by using a moisturizer to prevent the skin from cracking or itching and to offer relief. Well moisturized skin also helps block out germs that cause infections.

Treatment may also include:

  • Topical corticosteroids that help reduce inflammation and itchiness. This is the most common form of eczema treatment. Most topical corticosteroids are available on prescription. However some milder strength ones are available in pharmacy.
  • Sedating antihistamines that induce sleep and reduce itchiness.
  • bandaging that soothes the skin reduces itchiness and helps heal lesions.
  • Antibiotics that treat secondary infections.
  • Allergy testing (prick or blood tests) that may help establish trigger factors.
  • Dietician for diet assistance
  • Probiotics: specialized products have been shown to significantly improve the skin during trials. More severe cases of eczema may be treated by oral corticosteroids, systemic immunosuppressants and phototherapy.

It is important to seek professional medical advice before using any medication: whether over the counter or prescription to determine its side-effects.

What are the complications associated with eczema?

As eczema skin is frequently broken, it puts the sufferer at risk of contracting skin ailments. Professional medical advice should be sought at the first sign of any infection. A psoriasis sufferer is also in danger of developing herpes simplex type 1 (cold sores) which would disperse over a huge size of the skin and occasionally demonstrate dangerous.

Sufferers are also in danger of contracting a widespread skin infection called impetigo (school sores). In order to elude any complications associated with vaccination, the disease should be discussed with a medical executive. But, normal childhood immunizations normally pose no risk to the psoriasis sufferer