Dishydrotic Eczema
April 23rd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Dishydrotic eczema is a recurring reaction of eczematous marked by the development of eruptions of the vesicles (fluid-filled blisters) on the soles and palms. It usually occurs between the digits and along the sides. A burning sensation and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) follows. The disease is said to be self limiting and only lasts for a few weeks on average.
Being an allergic condition that could develop into a serious problem, Dishydrotic eczema can have a host of causes, some obvious allergens and others not so much. Obvious allergens like animal dander, soaps, laundry detergents and perfumes. It can also be triggered by some not so obvious substances such as food, chemicals and even some metals like that in costume jewelry. Foods that can cause eczema include strawberries, nuts, seafood, eggs and wheat.
While there are no specific cures available for Dishydrotic eczema the condition isn’t contagious and the methods of treatment for diagnosis are effective.
Symptoms of Dishydrotic Eczema
- The presence of cataracts, eyelid dermatitis or other eye problems
- Itching leading to redness leading to blistering and peeling of skin
- Easily irritated dry skin
- Skin infections such as herpes or staphs
- Hand dermatitis from occupational skin disease
Anyone from newborns to the elderly can be affected by eczema. Both men and women are susceptible to it. The attacks come and go and are fluctuating
Treatment of Dishydrotic Eczema with Elta
For those of us suffering from Dishydrotic eczema, there is some relief and a method of controlling the possible future irritation. Using Elta Tar helps by penetrating the skin and controls the growth of the cells as well as inflammation. One of the side benefits of Elta Tar is the moisturizing of your skin to control dryness and itch. You don’t need to wait at all for relief. Elta Tar is an effective solution for Dishydrotic eczema and is readily available at drug stores or online.
While there is no definitive cure for Dishydrotic eczema, the treatments such as Elta Tar reduce discomfort and inflammation. It also slows the rate of cell division of the infected cells. There are many different treatments available ranging from steroid creams, ointments to cortisone. These should only be taken under the advice of a physician and only under prescription. If, on the other hand the infection is due to bacteria, then your best bet is antibiotics and other prescribed drugs. While these drugs will eventually prevent that burning and itching, the user should be careful as one of the side effects are fatigue and sleepiness.
There are also natural treatments for Dishydrotic eczema. Flaxseeds contain essential fatty acids that will aid in regenerating the skin. Vitamins A and E will decrease the itchiness and dryness of the skin when you apply it to the infected area or take it internally. To help the damaged skin to recover, one should include Zinc acids in their diets. Zinc also encourages the immune system. Anything rich in antioxidants like grape seeds will suppress the allergic responses of the body.
Ken
Discoid Eczema
April 22nd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
There is no exact cause of discoid eczema. It can be dry or wet types. It isn’t infectious or hereditary. Discoid eczema isn’t the result of any allergies. It affects all age groups, both men and women although it is much more prevalent in middle age or older men. In younger people it is usually associated with atopic eczema while in adults it is an indication of stress or irritation. In kids, it is sometimes the result of bacteria. The bacteria related and other ca uses are:
- Ostensible skin injury like insect bite or burn may start it off.
- In some kids it shows a sign of manifestation of atopic dermatitis.
- Autoczematisation or id reaction may cause discoid eczema.
- When it runs along leg veins it is termed as discoid eczema.
- During winter season dry skin causes non itchy round patches.
Discoid eczema appears mostly on the lower legs as patches. It may manifest itself one of two patches at a time or may appear randomly. Oval, round, disc or coin shapes of affected skin are the general shapes. They can be as small as a couple of millimeters or as large as several centimeters.
The color or markings of the patches may be pink, red or brown but they are very definable. The surface of the skin is cracked and bumpy. It can be hardly noticeable or it can be irritatingly itchy. The patches generally clear up, not leaving any sign of it. Rarely if the skin is dark enough the discoloration may last for a long time.
Between atopic and discoid eczema, the discoid brand of eczema is harder to get rid of. The most effective treatments for discoid eczema are steroids and antibiotics. When you are suffering from discoid eczema, these are the safety measures you can take to alleviate the problem:
- Protect your skin from injury: discoid eczema often starts from small injuries, so whenever you suffer such an injury be careful and cover up the injured part. Stay away from detergents, solvents and other chemicals that may cause irritation to the skin.
- Emollients: An emollient consists of bath oils, soap substitute and moisturizing creams. You can use them frequently to keep your skin less oily with moisture. Try different products and decide which one suits you. Regular use of products such as glycerin, cetomacrogol, aqueous cream, white soft paraffin and wool fat lotions can help with discoid eczema.
- Topical steroids: these are anti inflammatory creams or ointments, accessible only with a prescription. Application on the patches should be done twice a day for 15 days
- Oral or topical antibiotics: antibiotics as needed if the dermatitis is howling, sticky or coated.
Ken
Asteatotic Eczema
April 20th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Asteatotic eczema is also known as Xerotic eczema. This form of eczema is found mostly in older people. The skin disease makes the skin dry to the point of cracking and splitting. Asteatotic eczema usually afflicts people who have less oil secreting glands and affects areas like the lower legs. There is a spike in reported cases during the winter months when the humidity is low. Asteatotic eczema causes problems like pain from the burning and hashing in the skin parts that have dried out.
The clinical picture of asteatotic eczema displays dried out, dull looking skin. It also can exhibit scaling. There can be cracks that are very shallow and there is an occurrence of the cracks of the horny layer. These cracks of the horny stratum can come with erythema, oozing and crusting. A gentle xerosis is asymptomatic, while burning of the skin and harshness may be present in a more obvious injury.
While predominantly affecting the lower legs and shins of elderly people, it can also show up on the arms, thighs or trunk. As far as diagnosis of this disease is concerned, the main emphasis on the case history of the patient, clinical depiction and elimination of other disease.
There are several different methods to diagnose this disease. The diagnosis is separate from the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, scabies or nummular eczema.
Asteatotic eczema was first related by Dr. Brocq back in 1907. He referred to it as eczema craquelè as well as asteatotic dermatitis. This is identified by irregular scaling and dry cracked skin. It also displays polygonal fissured skin. He noted that it was most common on the shins of elderly patients although it can occur on other body parts like the hands.
In 1971 a Dr. Domonkos referred to this form of dermatitis as being similar to the appearance of cracked porcelain. The cracking pattern reminds one unevenly cracked pavement. Caplan figured out that as the epidermis losses water, fissures and superficial bleeding can occur along with periodic splits that can be deep enough to disrupt papillary dermal capillaries. The inflammation is caused by asymmetric leg edema. Eczema that exhibits lichenification can occasionally aggravate as the patients scratches and rubs the affected area.
The eruption can either be localized or generalized. Generalized form of asteatosis is a peculiar feature that provokes a search for other associated ailments. Guillet had categorized the localized variety into four different types: Asteatotic eczema of the lower extremities in elderly persons secondary to aging, dehydrated skin, and malnutrition .Cracked erythema secondary to irritant contact dermatitis from soaps or detergents.Eczema craquelé in areas in which corticosteroid therapy was discontinued Asteatotic eczema in neurological disorders
Ken
Eczema on the Scalp
April 15th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
One of the most common skin diseases is eczema. It is found both on children and adults. Different areas of the body are affected. Legs, hands, chests and scalps are common areas for eczema. The scalp is very susceptible to eczema. The skin on the scalp is different from other skin elsewhere on the body. It is this difference and uniqueness that makes the scalp so vulnerable to eczema.
The scalp has sebaceous glands that produce a large amount of grease. This is further complicated by the presence of hair follicles. It is this greasiness and the presence of follicles that the make the skin on your scalp different. It is said that 90% of the body’s heat escapes through the head and that also changes the scalp’s skin. Direct sunlight, heat or cold are just some of the environmental factors the make the scalp more vulnerable to eczema.
You can also break down scalp eczema based on the cause. It can be caused by either environmental conditions or internal causes. The three types of environmental eczema are irritant contact eczema, allergic contact eczema or herpericum eczema. Internal eczema has many different types; atopic eczema, seborrhoeic eczema, nummular eczema, madidans eczema, ruburn eczema, pustulosum eczema and asteototic eczema.
The skin condition “Eczema on the scalp” is called as seborrhoeic dermatitis. This Eczema on the scalp is caused by irritation and itching which results in oily, greasy scales of skin that eventually flake off. This leads to, what is called dandruff. Eczema on the scalp is commonly seen in adults aged 30-60 and it is more common in men than women.
The symptoms of eczema on the scalp include itchy scalp, red and inflamed scalp, oily yellowish scales that can flake off as dandruff. Greasy skin patches on eyebrows and behind your ears are another indication of the presence of eczema of the scalp. Although there isn’t any definitive causes of this form of eczema, dermatologists think it may be caused by a hormonal imbalance. Another popular theory is that it is caused by fungus.
Treatments of eczema on the scalp include pyrithione, salicylic acid and corticosteroids. Other remedies include increasing your intake of fish oils and salads.
Eating fish oil is recommended in treatment against the eczema on the scalp. Omega 3 fish oil has an effective healing effect on scalp eczema. But this treatment is very time consuming and can take around 6 months to show signs of improvement. But one of the advantages of omega 3 fish oil supplements is that they are inexpensive and they are easily obtainable. Essential fatty acids present in fish oil help to cure Eczema on the scalp. These fatty acids are used by body to breakdown certain enzymes and particles.
Eating lots of salads also help in treatment of eczema on the scalp. Green vegetables contain ingredients that are excellent for your skin. Include alfalfa sprouts to your diet as they contain the antioxidants needed to rid the body of harmful bacteria and microbes. These bacteria and microbes can cause irritation and discomfort.
Ken
Eczema Skin Problems
April 15th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Eczema or as the doctors like to call it, atopic dermatitis is a skin problem that causes blotches or coin sized patches on the skin. Common eczema skin problems include redness, cracking and itching.
The rashes can either turn up localized such as the inside of the elbows or the back of your knees or any other part of the body. They also can erupt into rashes that cover the entire body. The treatment for eczema skin problems should include patience and caution.
Areas of the body that are susceptible to eczema skin problems include hand, elbows, the back of knees and elbows. The rash can start developing on the face for young children. Along with the grief of eczema, comes the likelihood that the person will also suffer from different allergies such as food, asthma and hay fever. More than 10% of children are likely to suffer from eczema skin problems.
Although the precise cause of eczema is still not discovered, it is likely that medical allergies can worsen the disorder. People with dry and sensitive skin are more prone to suffer from eczema skin problems. A lot of people think medicines trigger symptoms however it is not the cause of eczema. With lifestyle changes, eczema skin problems can be controlled.
Avoid using harsh soaps, detergents and deodorizers. Use mild soaps instead. They can soothe the skin. Allergies like pet dander, dust mites, feathers etc live in the pillows, rugs and blankets, so try keeping the mattresses clean. Do not allow any pets to get on the beds or furniture. Extreme climates can also elevate eczema that can irritate the skin. Maintain normal temperatures in your houses and cars. Mental stress can also cause eczema. Try to keep anger and stress in control and indulge yourself into some kind of activity that will help maintain a balanced life.
There are various effective treatments to cure eczema like wet wrap therapy, the natural treatments and many more. It is recommended that these treatments be taken as soon as possible after noticing the symptoms; always under the guidance of a proper doctor. The treatments and cures vary from person to person and depend upon the intensity of the disease.
Eczema skin problems can be taken care of with a proper skin care routine. Daily skin care plays a vital part in eliminating the disease. Use lukewarm water instead of hot water for taking a bath. Take a bath once a day but limit the time in the tub to not more than ten minutes. Children or the babies suffering from eczema can also have a short bath. Use mild soaps like Tone, Dove etc for taking a bath. Use baby soaps for the babies and the small children. Keep the use of the soaps to a minimum. Use it only to clean the armpits, hands, feet and the genital areas if you are not too sweaty.
Ken
Eczema Symptoms
April 15th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Eczema which is known as dermatitis (medical term) causes coin shaped patches on the skin. The skin disease is an allergy that affects the skin’s outer layer. Eczema is a common malady that affects people of all ages and is suffered by both men and women. It also affects small children. If you don’t take action to combat eczema symptoms at the right time, it can develop into something worse. One of the indications of eczema symptoms is that the immune system isn’t working quite right. For this reason, they should be treated immediately.
The severity of eczema can vary from person to person. Treatments vary depending on the intensity of the disorder. The exact cause of eczema is still unknown, but it can elevate with the use of harsh soaps, detergents or even by using synthetic clothing materials like wool etc. Sudden climatic change can also aggravate the rashes and the redness of the infected skin. Medical allergies can aggravate the disease but are not the cause of eczema. Applying high-powered prescribed medicines can bring the situation under control.
You should go through a dermatology test if the disorder continues even after the medicinal application. Eczema can flare up once and go away however other symptoms may occur throughout their lifetime. Two of the conditions that may accompany severe eczema are asthma and high fevers. This disorder can also be hereditary.
The progression of eczema starts out with dry and scaly spots. These spots are followed by redness, swelling and itching. The burning sensations are followed by pricking pain. The danger is scratching this patch of eczema is that you may puncture the patch, letting the infectious liquid ooze out of the affected spot. Severe patches may be scaly, thick and brown. The itching sensation around the patches of infection is elevated by the developed clear watery bumps or red bumps.
As these patches start drying or healing, they start developing into small painful cracks. The itching sensation may worsen during the nighttime. The rashes can appear on any part of the body but are most common on the hands, arms, legs, feet and face, especially in the creases.
Simple steps can help control the causes of eczema. Keeping the skin moist will help prevent the occurrence of dry and flaky skin thus keeping the condition under control. Try taking a bath once a day to maintain the lubrication levels of the skin. Pat the skin dry with a towel instead of rubbing the skin. Use clean towels every time you dry your skin. Vaseline is not too greasy, and can help in keeping the affected areas moist. Using Alpha-Keri oil and Neutrogena oil on your body after you shower will help reduce the redness and the swelling. Use mild bath soaps and mild detergent powders for laundering of the clothes. Maintaining clean and hygienic habits will help us heal the eczema faster by eliminating the disorder levels.
Ken
