What is eczema and what are its symptoms?
You may have heard this word and know that it has connections with skin problems, but you don’t know exactly what it is and what its symptoms are. Eczema is a kind of skin problem that causes itching and dryness. There are various reasons for this situation. You should see a dermatologist to fix it.
Get to know the skin problem of eczema and its types
Eczema is a condition in which the skin becomes dry and itchy and bumps appear on its surface. This problem weakens the skin, which is a protective barrier.
As a result, the water and moisture of the skin decreases and it becomes vulnerable to external factors. Eczema is a type of dermatitis. Dermatitis is a set of skin problems that appear as inflammation of this area of the body.
What are the types of skin eczema?
There are different types of eczema. Each of these types has its own reason for appearing. Specific triggers of each type of eczema cause skin problems. Among the types of eczema, we should mention the following:
Seborrheic dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis
Contact dermatitis
Dyshidrotic
Neurodermatitis
nominal
It is necessary to know that it is possible to have several types of skin eczema together.
In whom do the symptoms of eczema appear?
Eczema occurs at any age and for any person; It means that there is no limit in this field and there is a possibility of infection for everyone. Signs and symptoms usually start in childhood and continue into adulthood. Of course, you can read more about children’s eczema in an article with the same title in Doctor Doctor magazine.
This problem can be hereditary. Those who suffer from the following unpleasant conditions may also suffer from eczema with a higher percentage. Eczema is more likely to occur in patients with the following:
- dermatitis
- allergy
- hay fever
- Asthma
What are the symptoms of eczema?
The first symptom of eczema is dry, red and itchy skin. These indicate that there was a stimulus in your environment that caused you to develop eczema. What are the symptoms of eczema and how do they appear on the skin:
- itching
- swelling
- skin dryness
- Skin rash
- Peeling of the skin
- The appearance of bumps on the skin
- The presence of thick and leather-like spots on the surface of the skin
Eczema rashes appear differently on everyone’s skin. If you have dark skin, eczema will appear with a purple, brown, or gray rash. Eczema appears on fair skin with pink, red, and purple sores and rashes.
In which part of the body do the symptoms of eczema appear?
What are the symptoms of eczema and in which part of the body does it appear? Eczema symptoms can appear anywhere on the body. Types of eczema on the hands or face and other parts of the body are possible and probable. Among the different areas of the body where eczema can occur, the following are more common:
- Leg
- hands
- Neck
- elbow
- ankle
- lips
- The face and especially the cheeks
- In and around the ears
Eczema symptoms are less common in the following areas:
nipple
the breasts
near the vagina
Male penis
Is eczema accompanied by pain?
Eczema is usually painless, but if you rub the affected skin, it can cause scarring and scarring. In this case, pain may occur. Some types of eczema, such as contact eczema, are associated with discomfort and burning sensation.
Is eczema contagious?
Don’t worry, eczema is not contagious and does not spread from person to person. By knowing what the root of eczema is or what symptoms it shows, it will be easily treated.
Is eczema an autoimmune disease?
It is true that eczema causes the body to overreact to stimuli, but it is not an autoimmune disease.
What is pregnancy eczema?
Hormonal fluctuations caused by pregnancy can have negative effects on the skin. The lack of hormonal balance causes the body cells that protect the skin barrier to be out of balance. When this happens, the immune cells may attack the skin cells and cause eczema.
Safety system
The body’s immune system overreacts to some environmental stimuli. When you come into contact with a stimulus, your immune system thinks it has encountered an invader such as bacteria or a virus; So he starts working and wants to defend the body. This defense is associated with inflammation. Inflammation causes eczema symptoms on the skin.
Genetics
Eczema can also be hereditary. If other people in your family have or are suffering from this problem, it is more likely that you will be involved as well. Having a history of asthma, hay fever or allergies also increases the possibility of eczema in you. Some genetic mutations make the skin unable to protect and care.
Environment
There are various factors in the environment that cause skin irritation and eczema. Among the triggering factors, we can mention polluted air or smoke. Some chemical health products such as soaps or skin care products and even some fabrics such as wool can cause eczema.
In environments with dry air, the skin becomes dry and itchy. On the other hand, high heat and humidity sometimes cause sweating, and the same issue brings itching and skin irritation.
Emotional stimuli
It may not seem like it, but mental health has direct effects on the skin. A lot of anxiety, a lot of stress and depression are factors that cause you to experience skin eczema.
What things aggravate eczema?
What is the effect of eczema and how does it appear on the skin? As mentioned earlier, the effect of this adverse skin condition on different people is not the same. What irritates one person’s skin is not another person’s. Among the main drivers of this situation, we should mention the following:
- Dry weather
- Some types of fabrics
- Cosmetic Products
- Smoke and polluted air
- Soap and laundry detergents
- Stress and nervous tension
- Touching allergenic things
What foods are associated with eczema?
The relationship between sensitivity and eczema is not so clear. If you are allergic to certain foods, consuming them can also aggravate eczema. If you are not allergic to a particular food item, consuming foods will most likely not have an effect on your skin eczema. Among the famous food allergens, we should mention the following:
- peanut
- dairy
- egg
How is eczema diagnosed?
Dermatologists can tell if a person has eczema or not. Eczema symptoms are more common in children than in adults. This is more common in childhood. However, such a problem can occur at any age.
The symptoms of eczema are similar to other skin diseases, and for this reason, doctors use tests for diagnosis. for example:
Sensitivity test
blood test
Biopsy or skin sampling
How is eczema treated?
After it is determined what eczema is and what is its root cause, the treatment is followed. Treating skin eczema for everyone has its own style and method because this problem appears in different ways in different people.
Common treatments for this skin problem are as follows:
Taking oral medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines, or corticosteroids to reduce itching and swelling.
Using moisturizers to relieve dry skin during the day and especially after bathing.
Using immunosuppressive drugs to regulate the function of this system.
Avoiding triggers that aggravate eczema, such as detergents.
Getting help from topical treatments such as topical steroids.
Light therapy to eliminate the appearance of eczema and the spots caused by it.
Laser treatment of eczema can also be effective.
How is the treatment of eczema in children?
Types of skin eczema are common in children. If your child has eczema, take help from the following methods:
Do not use scented detergents to wash baby’s clothes and wash them with hypoallergenic powder.
Keep the air temperature balanced and do not let its humidity and dryness fluctuate.
Instead of a hot and long bath, wash the baby with warm water in a short period of time.
Do not forget to use moisturizers during the day.
Use cotton clothes for the baby.
Do not let the child steam his skin.
Symptoms of eczema in babies are improved and controlled with these methods. If you know the right way to treat eczema, you will be successful in controlling its symptoms.
What is the treatment of eczema in traditional medicine and with home methods?
There are home and traditional methods to treat eczema on the feet and other areas of the body. These methods are not scientifically verified, but we will mention them anyway. If you intend to use herbal and traditional methods, you should consult with experts:
Use apple cider vinegar to relieve the symptoms of eczema on the scalp or other parts of the body. Eczema can be treated with apple cider vinegar. You should mix 1 tablespoon of this vinegar with a cup of warm water and wrap it around the eczema area with cotton or a clean towel soaked in it.
Treating eczema with turmeric is also recommended in traditional Chinese medicine. This substance is also used in many topical creams for the treatment of eczema around the mouth or other parts of the body.
Eczema is treated with honey in traditional medicine. Apply a layer of honey on the surface of the skin and cover it with a bandage. Leave it on the skin overnight and open it in the morning and wash the skin.
Treatment of eczema with cupping is recommended in traditional medicine.
Be careful in using home and traditional eczema treatment recommendations. For example, some recommend using olive oil as a treatment, but research shows that treating eczema with olive oil makes it worse. You should know the scientific basis of eczema treatment and how it will help you to improve.
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