Atopic Eczema
You are born with a genetic tendency to develop atopic eczema, but the environment can also be a possible cause. It is a sign of an overactive immune system.
It is most common in children and signs show up within the early months of life. A vast majority will grow out of this by puberty.
Atopic eczema is becoming increasingly common. Statistics for the United Kingdom alone show us that children of school age make up to 20 percent and adults up to 5 percent of all atopic eczema sufferers.
In this case, the body produces vast quantities of the protein, which is a protein that acts on behalf of the protective cells of the immune system. It causes allergic reactions.
We all have this protein but with atopic eczema much more is produced due to the heightened sensitivity to certain substances either by touch, by consuming certain foods and fluids, and by inhalation and breathing airborne particles.
The problem is due to the immune system being overactive. Which leads to inflammation of the skin. With atopic eczema, you may develop irritant contact eczema as well and be predisposed to hay fever and asthma.
The most common allergens found in those with atopic eczema are house dust mites or bed bugs as they are better known, pollen, pet fur, skin, and feathers.
Other allergens include yeasts found in the body and foods such as cow’s milk, wheat, nuts, and eggs.
Ideally, find out what you are allergic to and avoid it at all costs. Have a blood test to help diagnose causes.
Flareups will show themselves in the form of dry hot and itchy skin around the neck, knees, wrists, face, and eyelids.
Asterionic Eczema
More common in older people, normally found on the leg, it results in a red itchy appearance.
Discoid Eczema
All age ranges tend to suffer from discoid eczema, but it is found mainly in older men. Adults tend to react to stress and alcohol in excess. In children and younger people, it is common in those with a tendency to have atopic eczema.
Seborrhea Eczema
Mainly found in adults where there are large areas of sweat glands in the body. It is caused by harmless yeast formed in the body. An anti-yeast treatment will help.
It is found mainly on the scalp, face, armpits, and groin due to the larger number of grease glands. The condition can vary from mild where there is flaky skin to severe where the skin becomes itchy, oily, and inflamed.
For scalp problems, anti-yeast shampoos can help to control them. For severe cases, coal tar shampoos and selenium shampoos are often used.
Babies are prone to this form of eczema in the form of a cradle cap on the scalp and the folds of the skin. As their skin is so delicate, you need to be sure of the products used. Some recommended products include emollient creams, antifungal creams, and steroid creams.
Aqueous cream mixed with salicylic acid can help soften hard scaling from the cradle cap. Wash this out afterward with shampoo specifically for your baby. A natural alternative is to rub olive oil on the scalp. This is a traditional remedy that has been around for years.
Irritant Contact Eczema
This is very common and is caused when there is contact with a substance that triggers hypersensitivity followed by an allergic reaction due to the skin being irritated.
Those with occupations that require the hands to get wet repeatedly such as hairdressers, food workers, cleaners, those that handle food, nurses, and health workers are the main groups who suffer from irritant contact eczema.
This is due to constant contact with certain substances and chemicals found in everyday products that we use around the house and in the workplace.
Around 85 percent of the culprits are soap, detergents, and food. Bleaches, rubber, skin medications, hairdressing chemicals, and perfumes are particularly common causes along with paints and many products used for craft making such as glues.
It is unrealistic to try and avoid many of these problems as they are in the workplace and everyday tasks, so it is advisable to use protective gloves. As the rubber in most of these gloves can make it worse, you should use the gloves with cotton or buy a separate pair of thin breathable cotton gloves to wear inside the rubber gloves. This will help and avoid excessive sweating as well, which can happen when wearing the rubber gloves for a long time, and lessen the chance of an outbreak.
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