Eczema or as some people call it dermatitis, is a skin condition that can strike males or females of all ages. The disease varies greatly in both the area affected and in severity. Common symptoms of mild eczema can include dry, hot and itchy skin but more severe forms of the condition can result in the skin becoming raw, broken and bleeding. Contrary to popular belief, eczema is not a contagious disease in spite of its often unsightly appearance. There are a range of treatments available for eczema.
What Causes Eczema?
Firstly, there are several different types of eczema and accordingly there is a range of causes and triggers. Atopic eczema is considered to be genetically related and is therefore thought to be a hereditary condition. Most forms of eczema are at least in part, due to environmental factors to which the body overreacts to.
The condition is an auto immune disease in which the immune system produces and excessive response to harmless allergens or mild concentrations of chemicals and detergents.
Cases of eczema that occur later in life are sometimes caused by a lack of circulation and some experts believe that stress may play a part.
What are the different types of Eczema?
There are several different types of eczema, including:
-Atopic Eczema
-Allergic Contact Dermatitis
-Irritant Contact Dermatitis
-Infantile Seborrhoeic Eczema
-Adult Seborrhoeic Eczema
-Varicose Eczema
-Discoid Eczema
How is eczema cured?
There are a range of treatments aimed at minimizing the symptoms of the skin disease. Topical creams and skin care products are useful but the key to managing the disease is the identification of chemicals, allergens and detergents that exacerbate the disease.
By identifying these irritants they can be avoided or eliminated from daily life. The limitation of exposure to irritants can be an effective preventative measure.