When Suffering from Eczema Rash
Eczema can be a very troublesome skin condition. For one, it tends to be chronic, which means it will appear and re-appear over a period of time. It is also inflammatory, appearing as raised blisters or rashes on the skin. If you’re suffering from eczema, here are things you need to understand about this condition:Eczema is a type of dermatitis
Eczema is often used to describe a case of dermatitis, or vice versa. Eczema, howeer, pertains to certain skin conditions that tend to be persistent or chronic. It often appears as red, swollen skin rashes that may ooze, bleed or blister. In some cases, the skin might be dry, forming crusts, cracks or flakes.
As healing occurs, discoloration on the skin may occur.
Eczema is non-contagious
If you have eczema, it doesn’t automatically make you untouchable. You cannot infect another person with it through physical contact. However, it does have a tendency to run in families so if you have it, someone in your immediate family circle might have it, too.
Eczema is often described based on its location or cause.
Although the generalized term is ‘eczema’, it may often be classified depending on where it appears on the body or what is known to cause it.
There are several types of eczema
Some of the most common types of eczema are referred to as:
Xerotic eczema – this rash often begins as overly dry skin, often as a result of very dry, cold weather. The skin appears cracked, feels tender to the touch and is very itchy. Although the symptoms are similar to a simple case of dry skin, it can worsen and become eczema if it remains untreated.
Contact dermatitis – this type of eczema rash may be caused by an allergic reaction (called allergic dermatitis) or an irritation (called irritant dermatitis). Allergic dermatitis is frequently caused by a known allergen, such as nickel, dust, poison ivy or pollen. Irritant dermatitis is often caused by direct physical contact with a certain material or chemical substance. Exposure to sunlight is also known to cause skin rashes on certain sensitive individuals.
To diagnose contact or irritant dermatitis, the patient’s exposure to known allergens is often investigated in order to determine and identify the root cause.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis – can affect infants (causing cradle cap) and adults (often appearing as dandruff). This type of eczema rash appears as either dry or oily flakes or scaling on the scalp that tends to be persistent. In some cases, it might even affect certain areas of the face, such as the eyebrows, the back of the ears and the area around the nose.
This type of eczema rash can be itchy, causing red pimples and patches to appear on the skin. The crusty scales appear as whitish or yellowish flakes. This condition is generally curable although it tends to be chronic in certain individuals.
In spite of what the ads tell you, eczema doesn’t have a cure.
Eczema is one of those ailments that seem to have a mysterious nature. As of yet, there is no cure for eczema that is known to medical professionals. At best, the treatments prescribed are often used to manage and minimize the symptoms of the condition, namely the itching and the inflammation, but not to cure the underlying cause.
Commonly prescribed medications to treat eczema rash includes topical corticosteroids and immunomodulators. In case of infection, antibiotics may also be used.
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