What causes Eczema?
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What causes Eczema?
Eczema is a condition that makes an individual’s skin red and itchy. The condition is common in children but may occur at any age in an individual’s life. Eczema is a long-lasting disease that tends to flare periodically in some people and then clears up for a while and maybe in the company of asthma or hay fever. The condition begins at five years old and may persist to puberty and adulthood.
Eczema is a condition linked to a gene variation that affects the skin’s ability to retain moisture and protect the body from irritants and allergens. Infected skin is affected by environmental factors, irritants, and allergens. In some kids, food allergies may be part of the causative agents of Eczema. More so, there exist risk factors for having Eczema. A personal or family history of allergies, eczema, asthma, and hay fever may increase an individual’s probability of contracting the disease.
Atopic dermatitis symptoms may vary from one person to another. The signs may include dry, itchy skin that may be severe, especially at night. These may occur as red to brownish-gray patches that may be seen on the hands, ankles, wrists, upper chest, eyelids, and infants in the face and scalp. They may occur small raised bumps which may leak fluids and crust over when stretched. A patient’s skin may be thickened, cracked, and with scales, and because of that, it becomes sensitive and swollen from scratching.
There is no specific cure for Eczema but self-care and treatment measures. Moisturizing skin regularly and applying medicated ointments and creams can help avert the disease. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that one can consider a bleach bath to help prevent the flares. A diluted bleach bath reduces the bacteria on the skin and related infections. People should dry themselves with a soft towel after bathing and apply moisturizer when the skin is still damp.
References
Neighbors, M. & Tannehill-Jones, R. (2015). Human Diseases (4th). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1-2850-6592-2
Neighbors, M. & Tannehill-Jones, R. (2015). Workbook to Accompany Human Diseases (5thstu). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning