Eczema: Symptoms, treatment, causes, and types

What is Eczema?

Eczema, known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition in which skin becomes red, itchy, dry, and bumpy. It is a form of dermatitis. A layer of the skin is destroyed due to eczema.

This loss makes the skin more prone to infections and makes them sensitive to dryness.

This condition is not harmful to your body. It does not imply uncleanliness of skin or an infection, and it’s not contagious. Therapies are present to help treat its symptoms. Body eczema does not have any known cure,  but we can prevent eczema flares using home remedies, moisturizers, medications, and lifestyle changes.

Types of Eczema

There are some types of eczema such as;

• Atopic dermatitis: This is what comes to mind when people think of ‘eczema’. 
• Contact dermatitis: Almost every other person has gotten it in life. Usually occurs when skin touches a substance that stimulates a rash. 
• Dyshidrotic eczema: When skin protection is insufficient, then this happens. 
• Nummular eczema: Round sores are formed in people with this condition, like a skin injury, an insect bite or a burn. 
• Seborrheic dermatitis: In places of oil glands, this condition may occur. In the scalp, this is known as dandruff. 
• Stasis dermatitis: In individuals with weak blood flow, especially in the lower legs, this tends to happen. 

Symptoms of Eczema

Every person has different signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (eczema) and contains:

• Thick, scaly type skin
• Severe itching, usually at night
• Dry skin
• Sensitive, raw, and swollen skin due to excessive scratching 
• Red or brownish-grey patches, usually on the neck, hands, ankles, feet, wrists, eyelids, upper chest, inside the bend of elbows and knees, and in kids, the face and scalp 
• Raise bumps that are tiny, that can leak and crust over when scratched

Atopic dermatitis may occur before the age of 5 and can continue on in adolescence and adulthood. Few people experience it for some time, and then it is gone, and it re-emerges again after some years. 

Eczema causes 

A strong and healthy skin is protected against bacteria, allergens or irritants. Eczema is an alteration in the gene that leads to the low ability of the skin to protect against harmful substances.

So, your skin is easily affected by environmental factors, like allergens and irritants. Food allergies in kids can also cause eczema sometimes. You can use body and face wash to reduce eczema that are specially formulated for kids.

Eczema treatment 

The objective of treating eczema is to cure and avoid itching, which may cause infection if left untreated.

Home remedies

A few symptoms can be relieved with home remedies. 

Moisturizers for eczema 

Lotions and creams will be used to hydrate the skin as suggested by a doctor when your skin is dry or irritating. Creams and ointments reduce inflammation and hydrate the skin to help it heal. After taking a bath or a shower, apply the cream and lotions.

A thick protective layer is also obtained by using mineral oil or petroleum oil to lock the moisture in the skin. If you have eczema on face then you should apply the moisture on face at least 2 times a day. 

Water is kept or pulled in your skin with substances that contain urea, lactic acid, or glycerin. Apply these after taking a shower, or a bath, when you are wet, so that moisture can be kept locked in the skin. 

Creams for eczema

Hydrocortisone cream and antihistamines used as over-the-counter products are useful products. Redness, itching, and swelling can be prevented by using a steroid, hydrocortisone.

Low-potent creams and lotions may be bought from a store, but if they are not useful, then it is best to use something stronger. 

Wet wraps

In the case of increasing eczema, in cold water, soak some gauze, bandages, or cloth pieces, and keep them on your skin.

Moisture is improved with the use of lotions and creams, and itching is reduced due to their coolness effect. Place a dry piece of cloth on that area and keep it there for a couple of hours or even for a full night.

Ask your doctor for your instruction regarding wet wrap therapy. But, applying it too much can cause an infection.