What is eczema?
1. What is eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition where you get a rash that comes and goes ever so often. And unlike a normal rash, eczema is quite itchy!
2. Eczema is not contagious.
This means that it cannot be transferred from person to person through touch or anything like that.
3. The Symptoms of Eczema
Are itching, dry scaly skin, red and inflamed skin, thickened skin and blisters. The blisters burst and weep, dry up and become crusty. Look at some images of eczema symptoms here.
4. There are different types of eczema
These depend on either what triggers them or which part of the body they affect. Sometimes a person develops more than one type of eczema!
5. Cradle cap is a type of eczema which is common in babies.
In big people the symptom is a mild dandruff that is not always happy to stay on the scalp. It can spread to the face as well! This is called Seborrhoeic eczema, and is thought to be caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin.
6. Irritant contact eczema is caused by regular contact with everyday substances.
Water, soaps, washing up liquids and shower gels! These items remove the fats and proteins that form a protective barrier to the lower layers of the skin. And this type of eczema is more common on the hands.
7. Allergic contact eczema however, develops when there is repeated contact with a particular substance.
Common culprits are perfumes, make-up, dyes and plants. The symptoms of this eczema occur on the area exposed to these substances!
8. Discoid eczema occurs suddenly and is mostly common in adults.
This eczema comes out coin shaped on the limbs (arms or legs) and trunk, and is extremely itchy!
9. Then there is light sensitive eczema.
This one is triggered by exposure to the sun and the use of antihistamines and other chemicals that interact with the sun.
10. The most common type of eczema is atopic or allergic eczema.
It is thought to be inherited as it commonly affects people who are related to someone who either had it, or suffered from asthma or hay fever. Atopic eczema is the most common type of eczema in children, especially between the ages of 0-5 years. The symptoms of atopic eczema show up almost anywhere on the body: the head, face, arms, neck, backs of knees and toes.
[Scents and Fragrances Disclaimer: This information does not outrank a doctor's advice. ]
Are you living with eczema or with someone who is? What is the best advice you ever got about eczema, and how is helping you now? Leave your comments below.
