Sunday, August 14, 2011

Eczema - What You Need To Know

By Jeff Yuan


Maybe you seem to get rashes on occasion, or inflamed skin, or dry and flaky patches of skin. Do you know these are symptoms of eczema? This is a blanket term that describes various conditions otherwise called dermatitis. There are various forms of it, though the most common form is called atopic dermatitis.

Eczema still carries with it a stigma of sorts because it appears unsightly - but many people have it at one time or another. It is a common skin malady. It doesn't matter what age, race or sex you are, either. Infants commonly contract the condition, but in half of the babies who get it, they will no longer experience the condition after age three. Of course then, the other half will suffer forms of it throughout their lives.

Many people who have this dermatitis will also learn that they have a family history - whether they knew it at the time or not. It may be caused by some type of allergic reaction, and may be linked to hay fever or asthma, but in any event heritage plays a vital role. Knowing your family's history is absolutely crucial to understanding how to prevent and treat the condition.

Eczema appears in about one out of every five kids, and adult numbers are about 1-2% of the population of cases. Most folks know someone or will know someone who has or will at some time suffer from the condition.

What's the reason people come down with this condition? Unfortunately, medical science doesn't have a definitive answer to that question. Science is still trying to discover those answers, but there are indications that the immune function plays a vital role in the development or prevention of it.

There is a form of eczema that is triggered by allergens that touch your skin. These irritants take many forms and may include clothing, detergents and even the type of soap you use. Whatever triggers an allergic response in you - like molds or pollen - can also result in this eruption. Climate changes and seasonal changes will also add to the likelihood of contracting the condition.

Keep an eye out for any symptoms like dry, reddish skin - especially if it's also itchy and localized. Though each person's experience will be unique to them, the overall symptoms are recognizable and a visit to the doctor may be warranted. Like anything - identifying the problem is step one, the doctors can do that for you and prescribe treatment. Putting an end to the nagging itch can result from a simple visit.




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