Come winter and Rageshwari has to deal with dry, flaky skin that itches till no end! No amounts of lotions help nor does any grandma’s home remedy, the dryness and the itching continue getting worse with every passing day. And it’s not just winters, poor Rageshwari has to face this problem all throughout the year.
Frustrated she visited a doctor and was told that she was suffering from Eczema. All that she knew about eczema, was that it was a skin condition and with no knowledge on the condition it was but natural that Rageshwari would be worried and helpless!
The following questions are what will help Rageshwari and thousands like her who suffer from Eczema to know more about the disease and understand Eczema and how to treat it.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a common term for various skin conditions such as swelling of the skin, rashes on the skin, irritation and itchiness of the skin etc. It can affect people from any age group right from infants to old people, however babies are most affected with eczema, for e.g. the diaper rashes that a baby suffers from is a type of eczema! Even though the exact causes for the occurrence of some types of Eczema remains unclear, it has been proven that it is not contagious.
4 of the most common types of Eczema are
- Atopic Eczema – It is a form of eczema that affects mostly children than adults, it is a hereditary form of Eczema which runs in the family. Factors that may cause Atopic Eczema are environmental pollutants such as mold, pollen or other similar pollutants.
Other factors triggering Atopic Eczema can be certain food allergies.
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis – Allergic Contact Dermatitis is caused mainly due to the individuals delayed allergic reactions to certain allergens (Read : Substances triggering the allergy) such as Poison Ivy or any similar plant, nickel in jewelry, rubber products such as latex etc.
- Seborrheic Dermatitis – Found in infants and adults alike, this form of eczema is characterized by either a dry or greasy flaking of the scalp and sometimes the eyebrows, better known as dandruff. Another form of this type of eczema affects infants and is commonly known as ‘cradle cap’, where in it forms a thick yellowish, crusty rash on their scalps. This type of Eczema is often curable.
- Xerotic Eczema – Xerotic Eczema is a type of eczema that tends to aggravate in winters, limbs and trunks are two body parts that are the most affected by this. It mostly affects the older generation and wherein the already dry skin dries out even more to turn into eczema, where it begins resembling a dry and cracked river bed.
So what causes Eczema?
Research has still not been able to point out to the main cause of Eczema. Even though scientists believe that Eczema is caused due to a defect present in the individual’s skin which impairs its prime functioning i.e., acts as a barrier to stop free radicals from entering the body.
Another possible cause for Eczema could be an abnormal immune function, a defect in the individual’s genetic makeup. While for certain Contact Dermatitis a possible causative factor could be contact with environmental factors such as pollen, mold etc or other irritants such as soap, nickel etc.
Change in temperatures and humidity content of the air can also be other possible factors for eczema.
Can it be cured?
Eczema cannot be cured, as in most cases it is hereditary or present as a genetic defect within the individual’s genetic makeup, but it can certainly be managed! Following are a few tips on how to manage Eczema,
Always keep your skin well moisturized: Keeping your skin well moisturized should be your number one priority if you want to avoid triggering your dormant eczema. 
Hydrate your skin by drinking at least 2 liters of water every day. Topical application of prescribed moisturizers also helps in hydration of the skin and keeps eczema at the bay.
However one should take care not to over moisturize, especially after baths. Bathing water should also be warm not hot nor cold as the change in temperature can irritate your skin. Also while bathing remember not to use harsh soaps or other harsh sanitary products, similarly remember to avoid spraying on perfume or deodorants after bathing if you suffer from an Allergic Contact Dermatitis type of Eczema.
Corticosteroids: All forms of Eczema can be managed with the help of Corticosteroids – a class of steroid hormones that regulates inflammation and is used to suppress major symptoms of any type of eczema.
In most cases, physicians advise a dose of mild potency corticosteroids in the beginning of the treatment depending on the intensity of the symptoms showcased, however if the individual doesn’t respond then a dose of high potency corticosteroids might be prescribed. However a long term dosage is not recommended as corticosteroids can have potentially harmful side effects.
Other prescribed medications: Other than Corticosteroids, a physician can recommend a dosage of antihistamines – used for the treatment of allergies and against allergens, or immune-suppressing drugs known as calcineurin inhibitors to counter a bout of acute eczema.
Maintaining good skin hygiene: Good skin hygiene is a must for avoiding the inflammation of symptoms of any type of eczema, maintaining a clean and adequately moisturized skin is necessary all round the year for people suffering from Eczema.
Avoid known irritants: If you know of any possible triggers for your bouts of eczema, it is best to stay a mile away from these. And in case you are clueless about possible triggers, then stick to the general irritants such as nickel jewelry, soap, poison ivy or any similar plant, pollen, mold, stress, certain foods that might trigger an allergy etc
We hope that this information will help Rageshwari and other like her to deal with and understand Eczema. As eczema is something that can be managed and should not come in the way of your living a wholesome life!
