Eczema is a group of skin conditions characterized by inflammation and irritation. Itching is the most common symptom in all types of eczema. The skin may appear dry, scaly or red. In darker-skinned people, the affected skin may change color. While any part of the body can become affected, the face, wrists, elbows and knees are most commonly involved. Between 10 and 20 percent of infants in the United States suffer from eczema, but most outgrow the condition by their second birthday. In the remainder, eczema can be a chronic and even lifelong condition.
Allergic reactions are thought to play a central role in the itching and skin changes that occur in eczema. Predisposing factors for eczema are a family history of eczema, allergy to certain foods or airborne allergens, contact with certain substances, and emotional stress.
The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, a chronic condition in which the skin is extremely itchy and appears dry or scaly. Cracks and blisters may appear in more severe cases, and the skin may become more vulnerable to infection from various germs. Atopic eczema is often episodic, with exacerbations interspersed with periods during which the skin appears completely normal. Atopic dermatitis is sometimes seen in people who have other allergic conditions, such as asthma.
There are several other types of eczema. Contact eczema is characterized by a localized skin reaction to either an allergen, such as poison ivy, or to an irritant compound such as detergent. A large number of allergens and compounds have been implicated in contact eczema. In seborrheic eczema, oily, scaly patches form on the skin of the scalp, causing dandruff. The face, shoulders and back may also be involved. Dyshidrotic eczema affects the skin of the palms and soles, with blistering and severe itching and burning. In nummular eczema, coin-shaped patches appear on the back, buttocks, legs or arms.
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Baby Eczema
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Eczema affects between ten and twenty percent of all babies in the United States. In the majority of these cases, the condition resolves by the time they reach two years of age. In some babies, eczema becomes chronic and may continue into adulthood. In babies,...
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Dyshidrotic Eczema
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Dyshidrotic eczema is a chronic, recurring type of eczema that affects the hands and feet. Small, clear bubble-like vesicles appear in these regions during an episode and tend to be symmetrically distributed. While the palms and soles are most heavily involved, vesicles may also appear...
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Cure For Eczema
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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At present, there is no known cure for eczema. While between ten and twenty percent of all babies in the United States suffer from eczema, most of them are free of the condition by the age of two. The reason for this is not well...
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Eczema Causes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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While the immune system is involved in some way, the exact cause of eczema is unknown. Typically, contact with some external allergen triggers an allergic reaction, leading to the typical skin symptoms and changes seen in eczema. This contact may occur once and result in...
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Eczema Treatments
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Eczema treatment is typically dictated by the severity of the condition and the detection of an underlying trigger. In mild to moderate cases, attention to skin care may help alleviate much of the itching and dryness. Bathing in lukewarm water instead of hot water and...
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Eczema Creams
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Skin dryness is common in eczema. Using moisturizing lotions alone may not suffice to keep skin adequately hydrated; creams or ointments that lubricate the skin may be needed instead. Creams and ointments are both heavier than lotions, and act by creating a seal over the...
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Home Remedy For Eczema
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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While eczema should be treated by a licensed medical professional, there are a number of home remedies that can be tried to reduce the severity of symptoms. Extreme temperatures or excessive dryness can trigger eczema in some people. Taking steps to stabilize the temperature of...
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Skin Rashes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Skin rash is defined as skin that is not normal in appearance and texture. It is characterized by redness, bumps, blotches, cracks, blisters or swelling and may be accompanied by itching and, in severe cases, by fever. A rash may be localized or may spread...
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Acne Rosacea
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Acne Rosacea is a persistent acne formation disorder affecting both the skin and the eye. It is a condition, whose origins are still unidentified. This development is characterized by vascular expansion concerning the face and seldom the neck and upper body. During periods of inflammation,...
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Pet Allergies
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Pet allergy is a condition when an individual’s immune system overreacts when exposed to any breed of pets. The pets may include dog, cat, rats, mice and rabbits. Certain individuals that develop allergies from these animals have a reaction when they touch or are in...