Eczema what is this skin condition

Eczema what is this skin condition

The skin condition know as Eczema which is also called dermatitis often shows its self on the skin as a red, itch rash on the top layers of your skin. This condition is not contagious to others however it can infect various areas of the body. The most common forms of this skin conditions are contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, and chronic dermatitis. Most dermatitis rashes look about the same. They usually itch, most are red, and many have blisters, swelling, oozing, scabbing, and scaling the form after that area of skin has been scratched.

The appearance of skin affected by this type of dermatitis can vary. Often the skin appears reddened and it can become thickened over time, particularly when it has been scratched a lot. It can also appear dry and flaky, with marked skin creases. When the area is infected, it often appears ‘weepy’ and has a ‘crust’ on it. Sometimes it looks more like a raised bumpy rash, and in children from an Afro-Caribbean background the skin can appear much darker where it is affected by this condition.

The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it has been linked to environmental, genetic, and immunologic factors that you experiences during your life time.

This skin condition can occur when you touch something that causes a reaction. The reaction can be either an irritation or an allergic reaction. The most common culprits include chemicals in cosmetics, fragrances, certain metals, and certain types of clothing. Even within the home environment cleaning agents, solvents, detergents, oils and other materials potentially harmful to skin are easily available and can cause this skin condition.

Atopic is the most common form of this skin condition during childhood and over time your chances decrease with age. This often means that your child is worst affected by eczema while still a baby, toddler or pre-schooler. In some ways this is very fortunate, because young children are less self-conscious and they are less likely to become embarrassed by their eczema. Older children in there teens 10 – 15 years can also be infected with this skin condition however it is rare that this can occur.

Various drug treatments for dermatitis are available, including herbal remedies and over-the-counter antihistamines and creams. Also, prescription treatments are available for rashes that become infected. A visit to a dermatologist may offer a choice of treatments so knowing a bit about the various options can help you make an informed decision.

Click the link below to learn more about treatments for this skin condition.

Eczema Treatments

Skin type an Overview

Acne Overview

Eczema back to home page

footer for eczema page