Eczema Treatment In Belleville, IL
What Is Eczema?
Eczema is a common skin condition that affects more than 31 million people in the United States, according to the National Eczema Association (NEA). It causes dry, scaly skin with redness and itching, and blisters or tiny bumps with a rash-like appearance.
In severe cases, eczema can cause painful cracks and bleeding. It is most common in babies and young children, but can affect people of all ages. According to the NEA, one in ten people will develop eczema at some point in their lives.
If you have eczema, it can be difficult to manage and may have a big impact on your quality of life. People with eczema often experience periods of flare-ups and remission, during which the skin is either actively itchy and inflamed or heals and has no noticeable symptoms. Eczema is not contagious.
What Are The Different Types of Eczema?
According to the NEA, there are seven different types of eczema:
Atopic dermatitis: This is the most common type of eczema. It’s a chronic and inflammatory type of eczema that typically affects the backs of the knees and elbows and produces symptoms that are typically seen in most people with eczema, such as dry, scaly skin, itching, and redness. Atopic dermatitis usually affects people who have hay fever and asthma.
Contact dermatitis: Irritant or allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes into contact with allergens or an irritating substance, such as some soaps and fragrances, detergents, pollen or animal dander, wool, or nickel in jewelry. Contact dermatitis makes the skin inflamed, causing your skin to burn and itch.
Nummular eczema: Nummular eczema produces scaly, coin-shaped patches that are very itchy. It usually occurs on the legs and is thought to be triggered by insect bites and dry skin during the winter.
Neurodermatitis: Neurodermatitis is very similar in appearance to atopic dermatitis, and it affects about 12% of people in the US, according to the NEA. Symptoms of neurodermatitis include thick, scaly patches that form on the scalp, neck, shoulders, hands, ankles, and feet. These patches are very itchy and bleed easily when scratched.
Seborrheic dermatitis: This type of eczema usually forms on parts of the body that have a lot of sebaceous, or oil-producing, glands, such as the scalp, back, or eyebrows. When it affects the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis results in dandruff. In infants, it’s known as “cradle cap.”
Dyshidrotic eczema: This skin condition produces small, fluid-filled blisters on the soles of the feet, toes, palms, and fingers. It’s much more common in women and is usually caused by moist hands and feet, allergies, stress, or exposure to nickel (found in some jewelry), chromium salts (found in some paints, leather, and cement), and cobalt (found in metal-plated objects).
Stasis dermatitis: Stasis dermatitis usually affects the lower legs and typically affects the elderly. It’s caused by a circulation problem that affects blood flow, causing fluid to leak out of weakened veins and into the skin. Symptoms include swollen ankles, open red sores, pain, and itching.
Can Eczema be treated?
There isn’t a cure for eczema, but there are treatment options to help manage symptoms. No treatment option will work for everyone, and treatments can range from eczema medicine, such as prescription topical treatments, over-the-counter products, and lifestyle modifications. Eczema treatment must be consistent regardless of which type of eczema you have.
Let’s take a closer look at the different ways to treat eczema:
Skin care: It is important to keep your skin moisturized if you have eczema, as dry skin can lead to increased itching. Applying a moisturizer, cream, or ointment several times a day, especially after showering or bathing while your skin is still slightly wet, can help to restore the moisture barrier and hydrate your skin.
Look for products containing hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and coconut oil. Products labeled “for sensitive skin,” “hypoallergenic,” and “fragrance free” are key words to look for.
Avoid triggers: Many people with eczema find that their symptoms flare up when they come into contact with certain ingredients or substances. avoiding products that contain alcohol, perfumes, dyes, or fragrance can be helpful in keeping the itching and redness under control. Additionally, wearing loose cotton clothing instead of wool and other irritating fabrics can also be beneficial.
Treat the itch: Itching is a common symptom of eczema, and can be treated with over-the-counter creams containing hydrocortisone. For more severe cases, stronger eczema medicine containing steroids may be necessary, and can be prescribed by a dermatologist.
There is no cure for eczema, but it is possible to manage and reduce symptoms with proper treatment and good skin care. You can also prevent flare-ups by avoiding scratching, hot showers and baths, and minimizing stress.