Eczema is not a single disease but a reaction pattern of the skin produced by many different conditions.
There are at least eleven different types of skin conditions that produce eczema, such as:
Pompholyx (dyshidrotic eczema);
Allergic contact dermatitis;
Atopic dermatitis;
Nummular eczema;
Stasis dermatitis;
Seborrheic eczema;
Fungal infections;
Xerotic (dry skin) eczema;
Scabies;
Lichen simplex chronicus.
Eczema affects about 10 percent to 20 percent of infants and commonly starts in infancy, with 65% of patients developing symptoms in the first year of life and 90% develop symptoms before age 5.
An estimated 31.8 million people in the United States are estimated to have symptoms of eczema.
It has been estimated that up to 16 million people could be living with eczema in the United Kingdom.
Symptoms
Eczema is usually itchy. For many individuals, the itch is commonly only mild or moderate.
But in some cases, it can become much worse, and you might develop extremely inflamed skin.
Some individuals develop red bumps or clear fluid-filled bumps that look “bubbly” and, when scratched, add wetness to the overall appearance.
Additionally, in adults, chronic rubbing produces thickened plaques of skin.
It is seen in varying severity and different places on the body in babies and children depending on age.
Face, head, and/or feet are the more usual areas for flares in babies and young children than adults.
Complications
Patients with eczema are prone to have food allergies causing either more subtle reactions or, in some cases, anaphylaxis.
There is also a risk of the skin becoming infected with pathogenic bacteria. Signs of a bacterial infection can include:
generally feeling unwell;
fluid oozing from the skin;
a high temperature (fever);
a yellow crust on the skin surface;
the skin becoming sore and swollen;
small yellowish-white spots appearing on the skin.
Moreover, eye complications may occur, with symptoms including:
infection (conjunctivitis);
inflammation of the eyelid (blepharitis);
eye-watering;
itching around the eyelids.
Viral infections, especially herpes simplex virus, are more common in people with eczema.
Causes
This disease’s exact cause is unknown, but it’s thought to be connected to an overactive response by the body’s immune system to an irritant.
It is this response that causes the symptoms of eczema.
Moreover, it can also be triggered by environmental factors such as pollen and smoke. Mineral and vitamin deficiency can also play a big role in eczema.
Vitamins A, C, E, B are particularly important, due to the fact that some individuals become deficient in trace minerals, which are much harder to absorb with our soils being so depleted in modern times.
Foods can also trigger the disease, especially chemical food additives (such as colorings and preservatives), dairy products, meat, eggs, or nuts.
excessive sweating – the sodium found in perspiration can lead to irritation as it dehydrates the skin
mother’s age at child’s birth – kids who are born to mothers who are later in their childbearing years are more likely to develop eczema;
occupation – jobs which put you in contact with certain solvents, metals, or cleaning supplies substantially increase your chance of this skin condition;
low humidity – the lack of moisture in low humidity areas may trigger the skin to react in a negative way;
allergies – people who have allergies have a higher risk of developing eczema. Some allergens include – certain foods, molds, household dust mites, animal dander, and plant pollen.
Diagnostic
Your doctor will commonly be able to diagnose eczema by assessing your skin and asking some questions about the condition, like:
whether it has affected the typical areas, like skin creases, in the past;
whether you have any other conditions which may be related to your eczema, like – asthma or allergies;
whether there is a history of atopic eczema in your family;
