People that have a great deal of allergies often have eczema as well. Eczema is a condition of the skin where areas start to itch and then a rash develops. You usually find red flaking skin on the face, neck, legs and arms and especially in the creases of the elbow and the knee. The itch is so serious it is hard to resist but if you do scratch you run the risk of causing sores that can become infected.
Most sufferers do not have the condition all the time. Only when they come in contact with certain substances will the itching start and then the rash appears. It is said that once the rash is in full force it may feel like the skin is actually burning and the only way to get relief is to itch which is also a way to exacerbate the problem.
Anyone can get eczema, especially if they have allergies, but most of the time it appears during the first years of life. First time sufferers usually appear before the age of five years old. This is a hereditary condition so the likelihood of passing it on from generation to generation is very high.
Eczema is a type of dermatitis. It usually starts because of a reaction to an allergen. A person that tends to be allergic to wool fabric might start a flair up of the condition just by brushing by someone wearing a wool coat. Things that make the condition start up are called external triggers.
There are vast quantities of external triggers when you talk about eczema. Jewelry that is never removed like wedding rings might start the condition up. Soap, laundry detergent or dish washing liquids can make the condition go wild. Just coming in contact with a plant in your garden can start an episode. If the weather is hot and you sweat you can start it and if the weather is cold and dry it can also be the beginning of the agony. Many of these triggers can be eliminated from the surroundings of a sufferer but there is no way to control how hot it gets or try to reduce stress.
If the patches are scratched they could become infected and cause an even bigger problem that requires taking antibiotics. When the condition is scratched it can become crusty and ooze or make the skin get thick underneath. When infected, the area will have blisters that may be yellow or brown. Even if there are no blisters the thickened skin can crack and bleed. It tends to keep the sufferer awake during the night and they may have to wear mittens to bed to keep them from scratching in their sleep.
Sometimes just changing laundry detergents can do the trick to get rid of the problem. Hot baths or showers should be avoided because the hot water will dry the skin whereas warm water will not. Mild soap should be used and preferably a hypoallergenic soap. Use moisturizing lotion that does not have any fragrance to keep the moisture in the skin. Do not wear wool or other materials that feel scratchy next to your skin.
Sometimes a good over the counter hydrocortisone cream will do the trick. Just apply it as often as the directions indicate is safe. You can take an antihistamine and that may help to a degree but do not drive if they make you sleepy. Stress is one of the greatest factors in coming down with an episode so try to stay as stress free as possible. Episodes come on quick but they take almost 2 weeks to get rid of. Your doctor can give you are stronger cream to apply or different medications to try. Those that have severe conditions can be treated with ultra violet lights and coal tar, which is not a pleasant experience because of the smell.
Prevention of a flair up is the best way to view treating the condition. Once the itching starts there is little you can do to stop the skin from becoming inflamed. Make sure to dry off the skin whenever it gets wet. Carry around baby wipes and if you sweat wipe it off as soon as possible. Make sure to towel off well after bathing and do not use scented soaps. Food allergies have been proven to cause reactions in children especial those to milk, nuts, eggs, and wheat. Wool is a problem but so are polyester and nylon fabrics. Wearing rubber or latex gloves can cause problems and even wearing a bandage that is made from latex can bring on the itching. When washing clothing or bedding do a double rinse to get all the detergent out of the fabric. Stay far away from bubble baths and perfumes because they can really start the condition up. Do anything you can to stop this condition from starting.
When you want to get an effective dry skin cream, you can do it easy! Using an eczema cream that keeps your skin moist will help you to effectively treat your symptoms quickly!
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