Facts About Eczema, Not Excema
Eczema, sometimes misspelled as excema or exzema, is a skin condition that causes persistent dry skin, itchiness, and flaky rashes. This skin condition can be confusing to learn about due to the experts' inability to pinpoint the exact cause of the condition and misleading information about types of eczema and treatment options. The spelling of eczema alone is confusing for many people, so the first step is to recognize that excema and exzema are not the correct spellings.
People with eczema may have persistent dry skin even when they don't have any rashes. When a rash forms, it may be dry and flaky or oozing and wet depending on the type of eczema. Severely dry rashes may crack and bleed.
When people use the word "eczema," they are usually referring to atopic dermatitis. This skin condition is genetic and affects how the immune system reacts to substances. Symptoms of eczema, allergies, and asthma are caused by immune systems that tend to overreact to harmless substances as if they posed a threat.
Discoid eczema, contact dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and eczema vaccinatum are types of eczema. Contact dermatitis is sometimes referred to as occupational dermatitis since people often develop this condition from chemicals that they handle in the workplace. Eczema vaccinatum is a severe skin reaction that people with atopic dermatitis can have to vaccines.
Though hand eczema, ear eczema, and baby eczema are commonly called types of eczema, none of these are actual eczema types. Ear eczema is atopic dermatitis that occurs on the ear. Eczema on the hands often is caused by contact dermatitis which develops from handling a chemical or other substance that triggers an eczema flare up.
Though some information about skin conditions describe baby eczema as a separate type of eczema, baby eczema is atopic dermatitis. Eczema occurs most often in infants and children. Though most young children with eczema will outgrow the condition, many continue to have this skin condition throughout adulthood.
Managing this skin condition is focused on keeping the skin hydrated to help prevent flare ups. The risk of an eczema rash increases if the skin becomes dry. Using hot water on the skin such as while bathing should be avoided since hot water dries out the skin. After showering with warm water, the person should pat partly dry with a towel.
A thick moisturizing cream or vegetable shortening should be applied to the skin. It may seem strange to use vegetable shortening like a moisturizer, but this substitute is recommended by some dermatologists. Vegetable shortening is economical and doesn't contain any perfumes or dyes that commercial moisturizers often contain.
Soaps with perfumes should be avoided since the perfumes can cause a rash. People should shower and apply moisturizer after exercising since sweat on the skin can cause irritation and possibly cause a rash. Stress is considered a factor related to flare ups. Reducing stress with time management skills, relaxation techniques, and following a healthy lifestyle can help prevent eczema flare ups.
There is no cure for this hereditary condition. Eczema often can be managed with daily moisturizing. More frequent moisturizing is necessary when the skin is dry. If a rash is persistent, prescription eczema ointment may be beneficial. People with eczema can learn to reduce the frequency of flare ups. Learning basic facts about eczema, not excema, is the start of understanding and managing eczema.
People with eczema may have persistent dry skin even when they don't have any rashes. When a rash forms, it may be dry and flaky or oozing and wet depending on the type of eczema. Severely dry rashes may crack and bleed.
When people use the word "eczema," they are usually referring to atopic dermatitis. This skin condition is genetic and affects how the immune system reacts to substances. Symptoms of eczema, allergies, and asthma are caused by immune systems that tend to overreact to harmless substances as if they posed a threat.
Discoid eczema, contact dermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and eczema vaccinatum are types of eczema. Contact dermatitis is sometimes referred to as occupational dermatitis since people often develop this condition from chemicals that they handle in the workplace. Eczema vaccinatum is a severe skin reaction that people with atopic dermatitis can have to vaccines.
Though hand eczema, ear eczema, and baby eczema are commonly called types of eczema, none of these are actual eczema types. Ear eczema is atopic dermatitis that occurs on the ear. Eczema on the hands often is caused by contact dermatitis which develops from handling a chemical or other substance that triggers an eczema flare up.
Though some information about skin conditions describe baby eczema as a separate type of eczema, baby eczema is atopic dermatitis. Eczema occurs most often in infants and children. Though most young children with eczema will outgrow the condition, many continue to have this skin condition throughout adulthood.
Managing this skin condition is focused on keeping the skin hydrated to help prevent flare ups. The risk of an eczema rash increases if the skin becomes dry. Using hot water on the skin such as while bathing should be avoided since hot water dries out the skin. After showering with warm water, the person should pat partly dry with a towel.
A thick moisturizing cream or vegetable shortening should be applied to the skin. It may seem strange to use vegetable shortening like a moisturizer, but this substitute is recommended by some dermatologists. Vegetable shortening is economical and doesn't contain any perfumes or dyes that commercial moisturizers often contain.
Soaps with perfumes should be avoided since the perfumes can cause a rash. People should shower and apply moisturizer after exercising since sweat on the skin can cause irritation and possibly cause a rash. Stress is considered a factor related to flare ups. Reducing stress with time management skills, relaxation techniques, and following a healthy lifestyle can help prevent eczema flare ups.
There is no cure for this hereditary condition. Eczema often can be managed with daily moisturizing. More frequent moisturizing is necessary when the skin is dry. If a rash is persistent, prescription eczema ointment may be beneficial. People with eczema can learn to reduce the frequency of flare ups. Learning basic facts about eczema, not excema, is the start of understanding and managing eczema.
