Handling Eczema Efficiently
If you are experiencing an itchy inflammation on your skin, then chances are that you are suffering from a condition called eczema.
Eczema is a form of dermatitis which affects the upper layer of the skin. The itching sensation caused by this condition can be very intense; consequently, patients sometimes scratch their skin so hard that it bleeds. Dryness of the skin should be avoided as it aggravates eczema.
In the UK, nearly 5 percent of adults and 10-20 percent of school age children are affected by this malady. The eczema treatment prescribed varies, depending on the type of eczema that affects an individual. Broadly, the most common type of eczemas which afflict human beings are: atopic eczema (believed to be caused by hereditary factors), contact dermatitis (caused due to contact with an allergen), xerotic eczema (extreme dryness of the skin which turns into eczema), and seborrhoeic dermatitis (occurs on the scalp and could manifest itself as dandruff). There are also seven or eight types of minor forms of eczema.
A trip to your doctor will help you evaluate the severity of the eczema according to a scoring system. For instance, the scoring system for atopic dermatitis is called SCORAD. Your family history, diet, lifestyle, any prescription drugs that you have been taking, or anything you are allergic to, are all taken into account for this evaluation. Eczema patients also have high levels of IgE (Immunoglobin E), which causes a condition called eosinophilia. Your blood may also be analysed using specific tests such as Paper Radioimmunosorbent Test (PRIST), Radioallergosorbent Test (RAST), or a skin patch test.
To help yourself to control this condition, it is important to keep the skin from becoming dry. So use unscented soaps that have no detergents, or try plain yoghurt instead – it makes a good substitute for soap. Moisturise your skin regularly. After a bath, always pat your body dry instead of rubbing your skin. And don’t forget - a timely visit to the doctor can keep your eczema under control.
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