Eczema What Is Eczema?
Eczema is a group of skin conditions that cause skin to become irritated. Teens who have it may develop rashes more easily and more frequently than others. There are many forms of eczema, but atopic(pronounced: ay-tah-pik) eczema is the most common form. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes atopic eczema, also called atopic dermatitis(pronounced: der-muh-tie-tis), but they think it’s caused by a difference in the way a person’s immune system reacts to things. Skin allergies may be involved in some forms of eczema.
If you have eczema, you’re probably not the only one you know who has it. Eczema isn’t contagious like a cold or mono, but most people with eczema have family members with the same condition, so researchers think it’s inherited or passed through the genes. In general, it’s fairly common - about 3% of all the people in the United States have eczema.
People with eczema also may have asthma and certain allergies, such as hay fever. In some people with eczema, food allergies(such as allergies to cow’s milk, soy, eggs, fish, or wheat) may bring on or worsen eczema. Allergies to animal dander, rough fabrics, and dust may also trigger the condition in some teens.
Signs and Symptoms
It can be difficult to avoid all the triggers, or irritants, that may cause your eczema to flare or become worse. In teens and young adults, the itchy patches of eczema usually break out where the elbow bends; on the backs of the knees, ankles, and wrists; and on the face, neck, and upper chest - although any part of the body can be affected.
If you have eczema, at first your skin may feel hot and itchy. Then, if you scratch, your skin may become red, inflamed, or blistered. Some teens that have eczema scratch their skin so much it becomes almost leathery in texture. Other teens find that their skin becomes extremely dry and scaly. Even though a lot of teens experience eczema, the symptoms quite a bit from person to person.
Eczema Prevention
Eczema can’t be cured, but there are plenty of things you can do to prevent a flare. For facial eczema, wash gently with a nondrying facial cleanser or soap substitute, use a facial moisturizer that says non comedogenic /oil-free, and apply only hypoallergenic makeup and sunscreens. In addition, the following tips may help:
Avoid triggers and substances that stress skin. Besides your known triggers, some things you may want to avoid include household cleaners, detergents, lotions, and harsh soaps. H20 is a no-no. Too much exposure to water can dry out your skin, so take short warm, not hot, showers and baths and wear gloves if your hands will be in water for long periods of time. Say yes to cotton. Clothes made of scratchy fabric like wool can irritate your skin. Cotton clothes are a better bet. Moisturize! An unfragranced moisturizer such as petroleum jelly will prevent your skin from becoming irritated and cracked. Don’t scratch that itch. Even though it’s difficult to resist, scratching your itch can worsen eczema and make it more difficult for the skin to heal because you can break the skin and bacteria can get in, causing an infection. Keep it cool. Sudden changes in temperature, sweating, and becoming overheated may cause your eczema to kick into action. Take your meds. Follow your doctor’s or dermatologist’s directions and take your medication as directed. Chill out. Stress can aggravate eczema, so try to relax.
Following diet is good for cures:
Eating carrot and muskmelon are good for eczema. Raw vegetables, carrot and spinach juice arebeneficial. The patient can also apply coconut oil to the affectedareas. This will keep the skin soft. Make a paste of turmeric and neemleaves and apply the paste on affected areas. Take the mixture ofstarch water that is obtained after cooking rice mixed with turmericpowder. Use this mixture to wash the eczema affected area. This alsokeeps the skin glowing. The pulp of muskmelon is good remedy fortreating eczema or eat the fruit daily. Mix curd and Bengal gram flouror besan and apply it over the affected areas and then wash it offafter 10 – 15 minutes. Applying fresh mint juice is also good. Freshapricot leaves juice is also useful for eczema Intake more fatty coldwater fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna, herring etc.Intake more of oats as they have anti – inflammatory properties. Take atablespoon of corn oil in breakfast and in the evening meal. This isgood for eczema treatment.
Home Made Remedies For Eczema:
Add one tablespoon ofturmeric powder to a tablespoon of bitter neem leaves. Make a paste bygrinding it and apply. Take the juice of green leaves of finger millet.Apply this on the affected area. This is a good remedy for treatingchronic eczema. Take a nutmeg. Rub it against a smooth stone slab witha little water. Make a paste and apply onto the affected areas. Make apaste by mixing 1 tablespoon of fresh crushed neem leaf and a teaspoonof fresh turmeric powder and a spoonful of sesame seed oil. Apply itonce a day. Coconut oil makes the skin soft. It can be applied to theaffected area of eczema. Take mustard oil in a big vessel, boil it. Addneem leaves to it and then again boil it around for 10 minutes. Uponcooling of oil, Strain the leaves out of the mixture and store the oilin bottle. Apply this oil daily onto the affected areas. Add 1 teaspooncamphor and 1 teaspoon sandalwood. Make a paste and apply it on theaffected areas.