Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin, and eczema is a specific form of this condition. What causes eczema and how can you control it?
Eczema causes redness, flaking or blistering of the skin. The most common condition among children is called infantile eczema. In most cases, the skin is dry, red and scaly, and a rash appears in small areas, particularly on the cheeks.
Milder forms of infantile eczema require no treatment other than applications of a thick moisturizing cream. If the condition worsens, take your child to a physician in which case an antihistamine may be prescribed.
In adults, there several forms of eczema, including: irritant dermatitis; dyshidrosis, and nummular eczema. The irritant dermatitis is most notably common in older adults in which their skin tends to be dry, especially on the legs. This can lead to mild redness, flaking and irritation.
If you constantly use dishwashing liquids, detergents or other household cleaners, these can damage the skin on your hands. Dyshidrosis occurs when itchy blisters show up on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
Some of the blisters burst and ooze and the surrounding areas may become inflamed and tender. The third type of eczema is nummular which is accompanied by disks of red, flaking, itchy skin on the body; most commonly on the arms and legs. While it may last for several months, it usually clears up on its own.
You can control the onset of these conditions by using rubber gloves over white cotton gloves for short periods of time when you are in contact with irritants such as dishwater. Dry your hands thoroughly and apply an unscented hand cream as often as possible. If you avoid whatever is causing contact dermatitis, the condition should disappear within a few weeks. If the condition is beyond your control, seek medical assistance.
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The third type of eczema is nummular — I have this kind on my upper arms. It flames up EVERY winter and is so annoying and it itches so bad! I think it’s spreading to my back too…. Anyway, I haven’t found any way to combat it yet aside from piling on the lotions. I’ve tried the Eucerin creme that doc’s suggested for Kayley & Sean’s eczema and it doesn’t help.
If anyone has any other suggestions, I’d really appreciate it!
(hi heather!)
Some eczema is caused by food allerigies, so be sure to keep an eye on that, too. If you notice it comes and goes or worsens from day to day or week to week, it’s possible it is allergy related. Especially in young children, but it could also happen in adutls. Thank you for the info.
My son suffered from moderately bad eczema as a baby due to food allergies. It was such an emotional and physical roller coaster.
Something rarely mentioned when talking about “What causes Eczema” is why it happens. I have dealt with it for 20+ years and all of my children have it. I got rid of most of it by changing my diet (minimal sugar, dairy, etc) and staying away from Latex and bleach. Though it flares up occasionally in the winter, when I have my hands in water too often, and changing lots of diapers (which have bleach in them). Some other things that have worked for me and other people in my life, though they may sound crazy, are sea salt baths, apple cider vinegar baths, more fiber in diet, perfume-free/fragrance-free everything (Dove soap is a good replacement), use humidifiers, use cloth gloves when dusting, vacuum a lot, no bubble baths, take vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E(internally and externally) and Zinc. What you put on and in your body are worth changing if it means you wont have to lather down with topical ointment for the rest of your life.
well I also have nummular ecxzema and yess people it is indeed annoyinq. I hatee it! I’ve had it since I was about 4yrs old I qet it in the folds of my arms leqs. my newck my face evrywere..but I pretty much have it under control I use elecon. ointment. its prescribed and its realllyy qood.. I apply it once a day becus its so stronq.. I think its a steriod.
I have dyshidrosis it is a battle every day, i have had it for almost 2 years with almost no break, as soon as it starts healing up, it comes right back. Have been to derm dr with no good results. Feel helpless.