송도피부과 Many different things can trigger eczema. These include hot or cold weather, some foods, soaps, hard physical activity, and stress.
The itching can be intense and can keep you awake at night. It can also make you self-conscious in public. Medicines can help control your symptoms. These include steroid creams, gels, and solutions.
Causes
There is no one cause for eczema. It’s an inherited, chronic (long-lasting) skin condition that usually begins in early childhood. Dry, scaly patches of skin develop that are itchy and red. In some cases, the skin can become infected with bacteria (called “golden staph”). Itchy patches can lead to scratching that leads to broken skin and bleeding. This causes more itching, and the cycle continues. Skin irritants, such as soap, hot water, synthetic fabrics and jewelry can make the symptoms worse. Children who have eczema have a higher risk of developing food allergies, asthma and hay fever later in life.
Different types of eczema include weeping eczema, which results in fluid-filled blisters; dyshidrotic eczema, which affects the palms of hands and soles of feet; and nummular eczema, which looks like circular patches of scaly skin that are crusty, swollen and itchy. Infected eczema can result from bacterial, fungal or viral infections.
Keeping the skin moisturized can help reduce symptoms. Avoiding irritants and stress can also minimize symptoms. If symptoms are severe, see a dermatologist or qualified healthcare professional. Allergists can help determine possible allergic triggers for eczema flare-ups. They may test for skin sensitivity by applying diluted allergens to the skin with a special prick device and watching for a reaction. Other testing options may include skin scrapings and blood tests.
Symptoms송도피부과
Atopic dermatitis (commonly called eczema) is the most common type of rash. It comes from a weakening of the skin barrier, which lets moisture out and allergens in. It can appear anywhere on the body, and oozing rashes may form. It also causes itching, which can make sleeping uncomfortable. Children often scratch, which can lead to infection.
The rash can get worse when you use soap, perfumes or other cosmetic products, certain fabrics and wool, hot water, harsh cleaners, a dry climate, stress and emotional upsets, certain foods or funguses. The skin can also become irritated after an injury or insect bite, and from some medicines.
Another type of rash is urticaria (red, itchy, stinging, raised bumps that keep coming back). You can get this from an allergy, such as to food or latex, an irritant, such as nettles or plants, or physical factors like heat or exercise.
Eczema looks different for everyone, and affects different parts of the body at different times. You can control the symptoms by using moisturizers that are fragrance-free and contain ceramides, glycerin, and mineral oil. You can also keep your skin moist by taking short showers and baths with warm, not hot, water. You can also help reduce the itching by wearing cotton clothing, keeping fingernails short, and not scratching. You can take a mild antihistamine to control the itching, and if you have severe itching, your doctor might prescribe a strong cortisone cream or pill.
Diagnosis
People with eczema have dry, flaky skin. They may also have itching that can be mild or severe. Scratching is bad for the skin, and can cause it to break open. Infected eczema is more serious and requires treatment with antibiotics. To reduce itching, keep the skin moisturized. Avoid irritants like wool or harsh soaps. Keep fingernails short to prevent scratching and make sure that kids wash their hands well. Try to find ways to manage stress, because it can make eczema worse.
There is no test to diagnose eczema, but your doctor will examine the rash and ask about symptoms and family history. They will also look at the affected skin to see if there are cracks or sores. They might do a patch test to find out what triggers your eczema. A patch test involves placing a small amount of allergens on the skin. If the area becomes red and itchy, that’s a trigger.
Other tests might include blood work, which checks for inflammation and allergies. A skin biopsy may also be done. People with more severe atopic dermatitis tend to have higher levels of a protein called eosinophils in their blood, which are white blood cells that attack germs and help the skin heal. They can also have a viral infection known as herpeticum eczema, which is a blister-like eruption that includes red swollen areas and vesicles.
Treatment
There’s no cure for eczema, but the condition can be controlled with careful skin care and medication. Treatment includes moisturizing creams and ointments, treating skin irritants and avoiding triggers like stress, foods or cold weather. People with eczema are also at higher risk of food allergies, hay fever and asthma later in life.
There are many ways to treat eczema, but it may take some trial and error before you find a routine that works best for your or your child. It’s important to keep a routine and use over-the-counter or prescription treatments on a regular basis.
Often, doctors recommend antihistamines to help control the itching. They can be taken as tablets or liquids and are usually available over-the-counter. If a flare-up is severe, your doctor may suggest wet dressings, which involve applying a corticosteroid ointment and then wrapping the area with a wet cloth (eg, damp gauze or cotton) that’s topped with a dry cloth (eg, dry pajamas). This intensive treatment is often done in a hospital for people with widespread lesions because of the labor-intensive nature of the process.
For a more long-term solution, the dermatologist can prescribe calcineurin inhibitors such as pimecrolimus or tacrolimus, which are medicines you put on the skin that ease inflammation but aren’t steroids. However, these drugs carry a warning about possible increased risk of cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, so talk to your doctor before trying them.