What is Atopic eczema

Atopic eczema has been on the rise for years, and more than ten percent of the population found to be born after the Nineteen Seventies, have been identified as having a greater frequency than those born before the Sixties.  There has been no known specific reason for the cases of atopic eczema to increase between these two periods, but many would speculate that it is the environment that has had this amount of impact on the general populace, either way it seems that atopic eczema is influenced by many important factors such as family history and prior medical history.  These can both be factors that may not have had influence on the cause, but have indeed become the circumstances under which to notice the outbreaks of these following symptoms, with equal attention to be spent on their treatments.

It has been documented as quite common for a particular person to be afflicted with the disorder early in infancy, and it is at this point that the family physician would have cause to inquire into the family’s medical history, there will be an understood root for the problem’s appearance if there are cases prior to the child.  Atopic eczema can be much for a young child to handle, and here might begin a character for shyness compounded by the atopic dermatitis, as it is also known.  Some would like to speculate that the cause can be rooted in adaptation to a protected environment, or even a greater recognition of the living conditions, diet intolerance has even been suggested as the cause among small children.

Atopic eczema starts as an area on the skin, inflamed to redness and further itching by scratching, and opens small wounds into the dermis.  Even further scratching would create a dry and leathery appearance in the skin as well as begin process of making it crack open, and thus the small wounds become larger wounds as the skin doesn’t heal properly, to the extent that these wounds would begin to “weep”.  It is at this particular point that medical attention would be suggested, as the wounds can further degenerate the area of skin, and that would allow infection as the sores stayed open to any particular influencing factor that would allow infection to set in from there.  This does not need to be the end result, though, as there are many known treatments that your doctor can recommend, or perhaps they would refer you to a licensed dermatologist who would make a better diagnosis from there.

Lotions and emollients will keep your skin well-moisturized, but only with regular attention paid to process of making the condition better, there won’t have to be so much worry about a rash of painfully itchy skin occurring as often.  This would be the step for those who are wanting the treat the symptoms early, or even before they start, a regular use of lotions and moisturizing creams as a habit can easily become a gratifying one.  There are not many grandiose solutions to the pain of atopic eczema, apart from getting the prescription from your doctor, but it can be easily kept from being anything other than a random nuisance.

Eczema dry skin

It is said that dry skin is a common affliction, and that itchy, flaky skin can be a symptom of many types of skin diseases and disorders, as the skin can crack as it loses its’ moisture.  Lotions and moisturizers may only be able to relieve dryness temporarily if the problem seems to persist, and can sometimes be a sign of having a particular skin condition.  Eczema is one of those conditions created by dry skin and vice versa, and there are many ways that treatment can be diagnosed, such as excessively dry hands can be a sign of hand eczema.

Eczema is actually a very general term used many different types of skin inflammation, or dermatitis, and may include various common symptoms like itchy and reddened dry skin.  Many different elements can be the cause for this kind of ailment, and some of them include cleaning products, rubber gloves, and even cosmetic creams.  With the skin, or dermis, being itchy, it is common for prolonged scratching to occur, and can lead to a reddening and thickening of the skin or an irritated and scaling skin condition with the thickening being clinically-known as ‘lichenification’.

One of the more undesirable symptoms of eczema may be a cracking and/or ‘weeping’ of the skin, due to open sores, and these sores could become infected if left untreated.  Not all causes to this wide range of symptoms have been fully determined by doctors and scientific minds, as there is much speculation over the role genetics and allergies and stress can be factors as well, and an opinion on this issue has found a tendency for skin reactions like this running in a family.  People with eczema including their hands may also have  signs of hay fever, food allergies, and/or asthma.

It is also widely thought that increasing age and metabolic factors such as under active thyroid or extreme weight loss may also have an impact on one’s skin condition when eczema is the case.  Even weather can be a potent fact when thinking about the treatment and care of one’s flesh, and when the humidity is too low or being too close to a heater or fire.  Excessive showering or even swimming may lead to an outbreak of dermatitis, and especially in strongly chlorinated cold or hot water.  With all these varying elements, it is no wonder how dry skin could be so common, but there are things that can be used to help eliminate symptoms that can even lead to an eventual recovery.

Some of these treatments can include; avoiding scratching, limiting exposure to potential irritants, using a hypoallergenic soap, and even limiting the amount of hand washing can lead to a full relief from these symptoms.  Reducing the amount you bathe and the temperature of the water used can be an effective deterrent against problems with excessive itching, and applying an emollient liberally after bathing and when itchy can be an effective preventative before it seems that it could be worse.  One of the more well-proven methods is by getting a prescribed topical steroid for a five to fifteen day course from your doctor can be a great method for treating these symptoms before they are allowed to get any more problematic.

Eczema atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis and eczema are quite inevitably linked together, as the two are symptomatic of skin disorders that involve rashes as well as scaly dry skin, and are part of the most common collection of skin problems that are treated today.  Atopic dermatitis is considered by most to be virtually interchangeable with the term eczema, and create a large amount of discomfort for those afflicted with this condition, making those typically shy even more so with a certain level of unfair guilt and social stigma attached to having eczema at all.

With atopic dermatitis, the telltale signs of the condition usually begin at an early age, and can flare-up all throughout adulthood even with treatment.  In most cases, the atopic eczema is hereditary and a chronic disorder that can lead to young babies to scream and cry in the helplessness that it feels like to have this affliction, but these flare-ups can be overcome simply with a doctor’s help, or dermatologist’s expertise to help diagnose a case more accurately.  With youngsters, a parent will want to consult the child’s pediatrician first, and then the parents will have a better way of dealing with the condition both personally and in treating their child well.

Many different irritants will this ailment worsen into the aforementioned flare-ups; like laundry detergents, some kinds of hand washing soaps, and materials that go into the making of some clothing.  There are also many other factors that can precipitate a flare-up such as stress and environmental irritants and allergies, and other conditions which lead to the flare-up can also be when the temperature gets too low or too hot, even when the person with eczema atopic dermatitis would happen to have a bacterial infection.  Many more than fifteen million Americans have this atopic eczema, it is estimated that twenty percent of infants and children experience symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

A complete medical history and physical examination is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis, children from a mother with severe allergic reactions can be prone to a sensitivity to eczema or atopic dermatitis, and a family history, blood tests and any history of asthma or allergy will help with further more accurate analysis.  It is advisable to take certain precautions to manage atopic eczema well; avoiding contact with the irritants determined by a physician’s guidance, taking baths and showers with lukewarm water, using emollients or lotions to rehydrate the areas of the skin so afflicted, and the reduction of stress.  It is important to note that where stress is a factor, this includes emotional duress, and might even be the source for lesser cases of eczema atopic dermatitis.

The prescription of many different medications will also help reduce the timing of flare-ups in the condition, as well as the amount of time that flare-up would last, but some of the stronger solutions listed are likely to only be recommended by a doctor or licensed dermatologist.  Such things as antihistamines, steroid creams, and oral antibiotics can be helpful to treating eczema in its’ severity.  Even such things as light therapy, under medical supervision, can be worthwhile but is not offered at all dermatology clinics.

Causes of atopic eczema

The causes of atopic eczema can be as simple as wearing scratchy clothing material, or even if the clothing has been washed in harsh detergents that can irritate the skin, thus inflaming and bringing into  activation the form of dermatitis that is known as eczema.  By avoiding these elements, the person afflicted with atopic eczema can better be able to fend off the degree of severity that may bring one to be uncomfortable with their skin disorder, and understanding the allergic reaction is one of the easiest ways to prevent a flare-up.  There is not one single cause for atopic eczema, but it can be linked to heredity.

Those with atopic eczema are prone for other common ailments such as asthma and hay fever, and that is linked genetically to an inherited sensitivity to allergens, sometimes even just avoiding the following causes of atopic eczema won’t completely prevent the onset of the eczema.  There are times when the addition of various topical creams and emollients will be detrimental to the prevention of these ailments of constant irritation and itchiness, and if after various treatments, one finds themselves in need of the prescribed medication from a licensed dermatologist.

Moisturizers cannot be overlooked as a basic way of keeping the skin well-hydrated and supple, so that it might not be so readily flare-up as often as opposed to what the current state might be, and a solid understanding of what contributes to a flare-up is part of the necessary guide to lessening the causes of atopic eczema.  Aside for lack of moisture in the skin, there is also the changes in temperature that affect a flare-up unnecessarily, and certain levels of humidity can be a problematic element as well by causing all kinds of havoc to sufferer in many differing ways.  Aside from temperature, other environmental factors like animal hair can be elemental in the onset of an outbreak of itchy skin.

It is in these uncontrollable shifts in temperature that are too hot and humid that can induce sweating and overheating, which can be the cause to a state of flare-up that will be discomforting to the person with atopic eczema, and so proper preparation and consideration for the environment at hand will keep a person from having as many flare-ups.  Outbreaks caused by these conditions are difficult to gauge, but when someone afflicted needs to be in a more comfortable environment, then perhaps an air-conditioned setting would be more suitable to the person’s relaxation.

Which brings me to stress as the cause of atopic eczema, the reduction of stress can be a key element to “softening” the blows thrown by this particular skin disorder, and it is surprising how much stress can actually be a factor in making eczema worsen and sometimes too consistent.  This may cause a case of atopic eczema to flare-up the most during a child’s school years, as tests and the social environment may be too much, and outbreaks of itchy and scaly skin would be common.  A lot of childhood cases of atopic eczema can clear up for a very long time after reaching maturity, but that doesn’t mean that the eczema is not still active in some sense, avoiding the same elements that made the eczema flare-up would still be a more thoughtful approach.

Atopic eczema advice

Eczema is a common reference to intense dry, flaky skin which can eventually lead to dermatitis, and which still holds weight under the general term of eczema.  The term ‘atopic’ is defined as a tendency to suffer from a group of conditions; including eczema, asthma and hay fever, and atopic eczema the itchy inflammation of the skin which causes a red or scaly rash.  This can also be referred to as atopic dermatitis, and it is believed that the atopical condition is what would make a person more sensitive to the environment and suffer from such ailments.

Dermatitis means ‘inflammation of the skin’, and there many types that fall under the definition  of eczema, an allergic tendency can create a greater surety of acquiring one of these types of skin disorder.  Although it may be nice to think of atopic eczema as being the only condition to be received by inherited sensitivity, there are many cases where sufferers have such similarly genetic predispositions to hay fever and asthma, and it might not be so simply an allergic reaction.  Some of the symptoms to which dermatitis or eczema can be linked are common, and may not necessarily lead to these conditions.

The first noticeable symptom may be dry skin, and is the most common beginning for these conditions, however, the skin could then become red and inflamed.  The most common areas for this are next to skin creases, such as the front of the elbows and backs of the knees, and even the wrists and around the neck can become so afflicted.  Any area of the skin may be affected, and though itchy, intense scratching can make the skin thicken.  If scratched a lot, the affected patches of skin can become cracked and weepy, or that is to say the scratching can lead to open sores that could become infected.

It is at this point that a person may want to see a dermatologist to further understand their condition, and who might be able to diagnose with accuracy what the condition may lead to if left untreated, possibly even prescribing some kind of medication or cream to help reduce and heal the inflammation.  As some areas tend to flare-up, there are many kinds of treatments to go with, and a couple common variations are topical preparations and oral medications.  The first is usually a cream or ointment applied to the affected area directly, and the latter might be something akin to antibiotics.

In much milder cases, flare-ups can one or two small patches of inflammation, and commonly occur near those skin creases mentioned earlier, like the wrists, knees and elbows.  In severe cases, these ‘flare-ups’ can last several weeks or more depending upon earlier conditions, and the treatment of said particular ailments, covering many areas of the skin and causing great distress in those afflicted.  Most people with eczema ride the balance between  these two extremes, and with help from a licensed physician or dermatologist, most conditions can be treated.

Atopic dermatitis eczema

Eczema can be quite a problematic disorder for anyone with any kind of sensitivity to allergies related to atopic eczema, which culminates mostly from inherited genes that display a particular lack of histamines and other elements that would normally help to prevent the occurrence of an atopic dermatitis, and there many influencing factors in the flare-ups that follow with this kind of condition.  Some of these include environmental changes like weather and humidity, whether the temperature is too hot or too cold, and can even be influenced by the types of clothing a person wears.

There are many particular strains of eczema that would fall under atopic dermatitis, as dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin, and an atopic case of eczema can cause the inflamed skin to crack and ‘weep’.  At first, the skin may only seem red and itchy, but the affected areas can become scaly and infected with prolonged scratching once open sores would begin to form.  Being atopic means that it is also a chronic illness that can flare-up sometimes without warning, but other factors can also contribute to an affected area flaring up, like cigarette smoke and solvents.

Commonly, atopic dermatitis can affect children and adolescents, but it can also flare-up when the child reaches adulthood.  Another term for the condition flaring up is exacerbating, or those periods when the disease gets worse, which can be prevented by avoiding situations and circumstances that have been known to facilitate periods of flare-up.  It is fully possible for a child suffering through the condition to notice the symptoms clearing up, or going into remission, as they get older.  However, their skin can stay dry and easily irritated, with some factors still creating symptoms of atopic dermatitis in those with the hereditary background for the eczema trait.

The many types of dermatitis can be excruciating but treatable, and each has its’ own defined areas of their most common affliction, like atopic dermatitis is characterized by itchy and inflamed skin.  In the case of contact eczema, it is a localized reaction to contact with an allergen, or an irritant like a cleaning agent or other chemical substance.  Allergic eczema is most common when coming in contact with things like poison ivy, or certain preservatives in creams and lotions, it is an allergic reaction when the skin comes to contact with substances that the immune system knows is foreign.

With some of the more specific cases of dermatitis, seborrheic eczema is a skin inflammation from an unknown cause that results in oily and yellowish patches on the skin of the scalp and face, and occasionally other parts of the body as well.  Nummular eczema is characterized by coin-shaped irritated patches, commonly found on the backside and arms, and may be crusted or scaly and extremely itchy.  Neurodermatitis is a variety of atopic eczema that afflicts the scalp, lower legs, or forearms and wrists, an insect bite could be the catalyst which causes localized scaly patches, and become intensely irritated when scratched.  Stasis dermatitis is a skin irritation on the lower legs that is generally related to circulatory problems, and dyshidrotic eczema is an irritation on the palms of hands and soles of the feet characterized by deep blisters that itch and burn.

Atopic child eczema

Eczema is an itchy rash referred to as dermatitis, can affect adults and children equally, and always with the same startling symptoms.  By definition, the term atopic would come to mean that the child has some kind of genetic sensitivity to getting things like eczema through to asthma and hay fever, and this applies as much to an adult as any particular child.  In fact, a history of it within a parents’ family history will inevitably determine whether the child could have a greater chance at being afflicted with the conditions or not, and can be a first step in prevention of any kind.

Most children who happen to have eczema have more than likely acquired it from one or both of their parents, especially those with a history of strong allergies such as asthma and food allergies, and atopic child eczema is the main suspect when there is no other obvious cause for the rash.  The root cause of atopic eczema is not wholly known, but it appears that an increased reactivity of the immune system, as well as affected children often having other allergic reactions.  There are many factors that can make symptoms worse, including dietary elements, stress and chemical reactions, and most cases develop in children under the age of five years.

If statistics hold up, about one-in-six children in school are afflicted with some form of atopic eczema, and in an average of two out of three cases, by the teenage years the symptoms will either go away or become much less of a problem.  There is no way of knowing which children will retain the eczema into adulthood, and a statistic of one out of a hundred adults have symptoms of atopic eczema.  Not just dietary habits can effectively worsen the atopic eczema, but contact with chemicals such as those in certain perfumes, detergents and woolen clothing can irritate a child’s eczema.

Sometimes as many as one-in four children will develop atopic eczema, it can begin in the first year of life, but rarely before two months of age.  As mentioned previously, children from families with atopic allergies can develop these conditions much more readily than expected, and the greater risk of atopic child eczema can also reveal that as many as fifty percent of these children so afflicted will have hay fever and/or asthma.  These conditions can be more accurately identified and kept under control with the guidance of a licensed pediatrician or dermatologist, and they are the only ones who would be able to prescribe particular medications.

Some of these treatments may be purchased over-the-counter in milder forms, but most full-strength treatments need to be prescribed by a physician.  A practiced doctor may also be able to diagnose any triggers that could actively irritate the eczema, and if left untreated, the problems could become infected or worse.  Infections can be quite common, and the aim for a mild treatment is to keep the skin moist to lessen cracking, eczematous skin particularly affected by bacterial infection.

Treatment of atopic eczema

The treatment of atopic dermatitis or eczema can be a difficult thing, but if you keep a few things in mind, there might not be as much of a problem in getting the treatment that you or a loved one may need. First, let us consider some of the common symptoms of atopic eczema, and the most common reasonable elements known to irritate the condition into flaring up. Eczema, or dermatitis as it is known because it is characterized by extreme inflammation of the skin, and the atopicality of the disorder tells of its’ inherited nature and can say something about a person afflicted having a family history with eczema.

Back to the influences that can make the disorder flare-up, and the symptoms that appear when the condition is most active, some common irritants are allergens and inherited sensitivity to reactions like asthma and hay fever that have a greater chance in happening to those with atopic eczema. Other components in day-to-day life that may also affect the conditional areas of affliction include; chemical solvents and allergens, pet dander and fur, some harsh soaps and detergents, and personal care products that might contain alcohol. Sweating and overheating might be a good idea to avoid, and sudden temperature changes might make a difference in the activity of the disorder as well.

Factors like stress and emotional shifts can be significant in the development and struggle with this condition, moisturizing the affected skin will also have a great effect in preventing further flare-ups that could get to be uncomfortable and painful, and areas can crack becoming open sores as the skin gets molested by the person afflicted with atopic eczema. Some of the stages in the appearance of atopic eczema is, at first, a reddening and intense itching feeling, and this is where the deeper scratching evolves into a thickening and drying part of the skin. It is this drying out that begins to make the skin crack.

Treatments of atopic eczema can be as simple as a prescription from a personal doctor or a licensed dermatologist, but that can be saved as a last resort if a person were to follow some easy guidelines to preventing the next flare-up. It is when, after assessing your personal allergic reactions to the particular elements that could cause a flare-up, that you can best decide how to avoid those things that would activate the condition. If avoiding those things does not help in making this condition any better, then a good next step would be the application of natural remedies to subdue the afflicted areas, and even probiotics can be prescribed if the case is particularly persistent. If none of those things work, then maybe antibiotics can be prescribed by your doctor, or some other more effective means.

It is when the dry and itchy skin becomes cracked with open sores that the skin begins to ‘weep’, and it is these areas that tend to become infected as the eczema develops into something worse, the best advised step would be to see a dermatologist as soon as possible if no other treatment works to clear up the condition at all. They can then better diagnose the actual source and effects of these problems so that there might be a chance for recovery, and perhaps a prevention of further distinctive outbreaks with the proper care.

Treatment for eczema

When your considering how to treat your case of eczema, there are a few alternatives that you must consider before choosing one that may not be right for you, and here is a small but comprehensive list of those most relied upon to help with the skin disorder known as eczema. There are many kinds of prescription medications, but there are also those known natural treatments for eczema, with a majority of both being either oral or topical medications. As a little bit of a background, eczema is the general term for some particular strain of dermatitis, and has symptoms such as dry, itchy skin or red scaly rash.

Some of rashes can turn into painful sores that will crack and emit a viscous substance from the sores, and it is here that lies the danger, because the sores can get infected if left untreated. From there, the only hope of healing the problem would seem to be with a prescription medicine that advisement from a physician would help determine which solution was right, and by asking your physician’s or dermatologist’s advice, you can also better diagnose your symptoms and find out how bad your eczema is. Either way, it is always best to consult a physician before taking any other medical advice.

Though with early detection and treatment, most cases of eczema can be relieved in weeks, or even months with extreme conditions. Some of the natural treatments for eczema can include; probiotics, or good bacteria, live microbial organisms that are naturally found in the digestive tract. It is with these probiotics that the growth of potentially harmful bacteria can be prevented, and probiotics are also influence immune function and strengthen the digestive tract’s protective barrier. Studies have even suggested that some babies that acquire eczema early on have a certain degree differing numbers and types of good bacteria in their digestive systems than do other healthier babies.

Another known solution is the use of antibiotics, which can inhibit the growth of potentially harmful bacteria as well, but are known for their lethal effects upon healthy bacteria, too. As opposed to the probiotics, which are recommended for cases of eczema in early childhood, the antibiotics are used often by doctors to help alleviate severe tendencies toward eczema. Though both treatments need a doctor’s approval before their use, and need to be applied on a regular basis for the desired results to appear. Those, however, are not the only means for treating eczema and other forms of dermatitis.

While there is not sure cure for eczema, there are many ways to alleviate the frustration of flare-ups, or the times when symptoms are more likely to appear. Quite a few of these times are weather-related, and might have a regular timing for those with an allergic sensitivity. Creams, lotions, and certain bath oils can be a common practice when trying to utilize a particular regiment, and emollients and ointments can be key to re-moisturizing your skin’s dryness. All these and more can be used to help prevent flare-ups and treat existing cases of eczema, but consult a physician if the problem persists.

Atopic eczema treatments

Eczema can be painful, but not everyone afflicted retains the disorder after reaching adulthood, these are times when the illness can be completely gone.  However, there is still a higher chance in someone that had the flare-ups before to reactive them under certain circumstances later on, but mainly in under the most extreme of occurrences. Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, as it is known generally under both these branches of skin disorders. Living with atopic eczema doesn’t need to be to be a struggle, and there are many great treatments available, whether under a doctor’s authority or even Over-the-Counter remedies.  You can only blame your genes so far, as the primary factor considered by dermatologists to be the main cause for the skin condition is noticeable in a family’s medical history, and you need to be aware of what treatment options are necessary after realizing what you really need.

Atopic eczema treatments can be relatively painless, as opposed to the results of the disorder if left untreated for any length of time, and it is scary how easily eczema can get infected the way this condition advances if untreated. Atopic eczema treatment does not necessarily mean a doctor’s intervention as long as the person afflicted keeps their skin well-hydrated, and avoids the ways that many cases of atopic eczema can flare-up by coming in contact with certain harsh cleaners and solvents, some clothing materials that may irritate the skin, or even the detergents that are used to wash clothing sometimes.  If these notions do nothing to relieve the condition, other factors may be to blame, but a person would need a doctor’s expertise to accurately diagnose the disorders influencing factors.

Emollients work by replacing those body oils that can get washed away, tending toward drying out the skin, and keeps a layer of substituted oil on the skin.  An effective emollient will sometimes be greasy and thick, but will be a great deterrent for dehydrated skin, keeping the skin well-lubricated and healthy overall.  It takes great determination to make a daily habit of moisturizing, and unless a person has been doing this as a regimen prior to the eczema, there wouldn’t be too much to improve upon if not already applying the lotions or creams well to affected areas.  It is then that a licensed dermatologist might be able to shed some light on the cause and prevention of continued discomfort, and a thorough diagnosis to help understand the conditions.

A patch of skin with the disorder of atopic eczema will usually begin with an itchy area of the skin that begin to get red the more it is scratched, the more a person gives in to the flare-up of eczema the more the disorder will stay active, and start creating other symptoms like dryness and a leathery appearance.  A few hours and even days of persistent scratching will begin to show an advancement in the infected area, from dry and red leathery skin to open sores that will start to ooze or “weep” thus signifying one of the worst visual states in the disease, and this is also when infection is quite likely without proper medications or atopic eczema treatments.unction with one another, though the steroid would definitely go on first ads opposed to the emollient.