Eczema, definition, signs, symptoms, treatment...

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Eczema is a skin condition that causes patches of dry, scaly, extremely itchy skin. 

What is the cause of eczema?

Eczema usually results from a hypersensitivity or allergy that causes inflammation. The inflammation causes the skin to become red, itchy, and scaly. 


What are the signs and symptoms of eczema?

Eczema causes itchy, dry, red patches of skin. The itching worsens with heat, stress, or abrasions to the areas from scratching. 

What age group is more affected?

It is more common in babies and young children. However, older children and adults may also experience eczema. 

What is the most common location of skin patches?

The patches occur most often behind the knees, in the folds of the elbows and wrists, and on the neck, ankles, and feet. In infants is common to observe that patches may start as a rash on the cheeks of the face. Months later, the rash appears on the arms and legs. 


Who is more likely to have the condition?

Eczema is more common in people with a personal history of asthma or hay fever. It is also more common in a person who has a family history of eczema, hay fever, or other respiratory allergies.
 

Are there triggering factors?

Flare-ups of eczema may be triggered by a number of factors, this may vary from one person to another:

Exposure to environmental factors (soaps, detergents, chlorine, and other irritating substances). 

Certain foods may cause worsening of symptoms (milk, eggs).

 Stress is also a factor. 

Dry climate and dry skin may contribute to worsen it. 


What general recommendations are useful to control the condition?

Progression of symptoms may be decreased by avoiding the triggering factors mentioned above.  


How is eczema diagnosed?

Diagnosis is made through family and personal history of allergy-related conditions, physical examination, and if necessary other investigations. Occasionally, a skin sample may be examined (biopsy) and blood tests may also be done. 


What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Long-term effects of eczema include:

Infection

Scarring

Postinflammatory hypopigmentation. 


What are the treatments for the condition?

Treatment should include the following recommendations: 

Avoid irritants that tend to worsen symptoms. 

Avoid scratching the lesions. 

Avoid excessive bathing and lengthy exposure to baths. 

Minimize the use of soap (avoid bubble baths)

Medications commonly use include topical and oral steroids, ointment for lesions that are oozing or extremely itchy, coal-tar compound ointments for chronic thickened patches, antihistamines to reduce inflammation and itching, and antibiotics for secondary infection.  


What are the side effects of the treatments?

Topical steroid ointments and oral steroids can cause further irritation of the skin or secondary skin conditions. In the long-term they can cause thinning of the skin (Click here to learn more). Antibiotics can cause a number of different side-effects depending on which one the is used. Antihistamines may cause drowsiness. 


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