What Is Eczema free essay sample

More than half of all skin diseases are classified as eczema/dermatitis. These terms both describe inflammatory conditions of the skin associated with symptoms such as redness and swelling, blisters, weeping, itching and scratching. Some people are born with an inherited allergic tendency called atopy. Most eczema patients are atopic and they may also suffer from other allergic diseases such as asthma, hay fever, urticaria or rhinitis. Contact eczema/dermatitis is also common and is often caused by sensitivity to nickel in Jewellery or studs in clothing. Other trigger ubstances include irritant chemicals such as oils from exposure at the workplace: for example shampoo in hairdressers, cement (containing chromium) in builders. In atopic patients the rash usually starts on the face, particularly over the cheeks and chin. Other patients may have a rash in the folds of the elbows, knee Symptoms of Eczema? Symptoms typically include redness, cracking, weeping, soreness, itching, burning, blisters, crusting and scaling. We will write a custom essay sample on What Is Eczema or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page These can be acute or chronic and, over a long time, after much scratching, the skin can bleed or become thickened and rough. Contact eczema usually starts with a rash in the area where the skin is in contact with the trigger substance. Eventually this can spread almost anywhere. Atopic eczema tends to occur in the face and/or in the skin creases but may spread to affect the whole body. Another variety is seborrhoeic eczema which tends to occur on the face, centre of the chest and scalp. The skin may be greasy or scaly and, on the scalp, may contribute to dandruff. Diagnosis of Eczema. Diagnosis is usually made by the patients General Practitioner, based on the history, family history and inspection of he skin, noting the type of rash and its distribution. A history of working with chemicals may be important, and a worsening of symptoms after eating certain foods should be considered. This may include salicylates which are found in certain fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts and drinks. Alternatively there may be a food intolerance to a commonly eaten food or colourings and flavourings, particularly those based on azo dyes. Patch or skin prick testing is often used to identify allergic foods, chemicals or airborne particles and blood tests looking for antibodies can also help to identify arious triggers. It is important to differentiate between allergy and intolerance as these involve different mechanisms and treatments. Treatments for Eczema. Food sensitivity to, in particular, milk and wheat is a common cause of eczema and identification and suitable dietary avoidance can make a significant clinical impact. Salicylates and azo compounds have also been implicated and reducing the number of foods containing these can also help. Sensitivity to mould, spores, dust and dust mite can be helped by avoidance techniques as well as desensitisation techniques uch as neutralisation, Isopathy and enzyme potentiated desensitisation can all have a part to play in the management of eczema. Nutritional approaches using evening primrose oil in high doses as well as hydrochloric acid and vitamin B complex can also be useful. Herbal medicine using traditional remedies such as marigold tea can help itching and traditional Chinese herbal medicines have been shown to be highly effective. Classical homeopathy which involves the identification of a suitable remedy for the individual patient has a significant benefit in many patients. Finally skin conditions such as psoriasis. The word eczema comes from Greek and literally means boiling over. Normal skin acts as a barrier to prevent water loss and stop skin irritants from penetrating. If you have eczema your skin doesnt do this as effectively as it should, leading to dryness, itching and cracked, scaly skin which lets in bacteria and allergens that can cause an allergic reaction. It is not a contagious condition. The different types of eczema There are many types of eczema, varying in intensity from mild to severe, but the most common are atopic eczema and contact dermatitis. Atopic eczema is the bodys ver-reaction to foreign substances, causing the skin to become red, inflamed and very itchy. It tends to occur in people who have a natural tendency to develop allergies such as asthma, hay fever and food allergies. This tendency can be inherited. The condition is very itchy and mainly affects the inside of the elbows and knees, and the wrists and ankles. It is most frequently seen in children, although adults can experience it. Contact dermatitis is caused when your skin comes into contact with something that it is allergic or sensitive to. Eczema symptoms are very variable. Eczema in adults If you continue to experience eczema as you get older, you will probably find that it affects the face, neck, upper chest, front of the shoulders, areas where the skin creases and the backs of the hands. Again the main symptom is severe itching and the condition can be exacerbated by stress. Climate How climate affects eczema isnt proven. However, there is evidence that the condition generally improves in mountains over 1500m high, in seashore locations and humid regions. Atopic eczema often becomes worse in autumn, as central heating is more widely used, leading to a reduction in room humidity.