Causes and Treatment of Eczema

Posted by sanjay on Monday 20 Apr 2009

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Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a skin disorder. There are many different types of eczema, but atopic dermatitis is the most common. Other types of eczema include allergic contact eczema, irritant contact eczema, varicose eczema, infantile seborrhoeic eczema, and discoid eczema. Atopic eczema most commonly affects very young children, usually under the age of five. Atopic eczema usually clears up and disappears by the age of twenty-five.

Causes
• Heredity
• Hay fever
• Asthma
• Stress and major emotional events
• Heat
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Indoor or outdoor irritants
• Extreme changes in weather
• Environmental changes
• Poor circulation
• Skin allergies
• Poor immune system
• Harsh cosmetics or soaps
• Frequent exposure to hot water

Symptoms
• Itchy, hot skin
• Reddened skin
• Dry, flaky skin
• Skin inflammation
• Rough, thick skin with a leather-like texture
• Bumps on the forehead, neck, or cheeks
• Itchy blisters on the skin
• Patches of irritated skin in the folds of the skin or where the limbs bend
• Oozing bumps

Medical treatments
• Medicated creams, lotions, or ointments, both prescription and non-prescription
• Antihistamines, both prescription or non-prescription
• Allergen testing (for foods, irritants, etc.)
• Light therapy

Home remedies

Mix 1 tsp camphor with 1 tsp sandalwood paste – apply the mixture directly to the itchy area for relief. Apply vitamin E to the affected skin to relieve itching. Apply zinc to the affected skin. Use shark cartilage with blueberry lotion to reduce inflammation of the skin.

Helpful tips

Avoid excessive consumption of dairy products, eggs, nuts, and citrus products. Drink fresh tomato juice daily if possible. Take zinc supplements (as directed on package). Clean your skin with pine tar soap daily. Don’t expose your skin to water for long periods of time. Use a good quality, alcohol-free moisturizer. Wear cotton clothing whenever possible. Exercise regularly.

Try to resist scratching the irritated areas. Do not rub the skin dry with a towel, pat it dry instead. Do not use scented soaps or fragrant lotions on your skin.