Eczema is a skin condition that affects millions of people around the world. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, allergies, and environmental triggers.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes inflammation and itching.
It’s common in young children but can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is long lasting (chronic). It can be irritating but it’s not contagious.
People with atopic dermatitis are at risk of developing food allergies, hay fever and asthma.
Moisturizing regularly and following other skin care habits can relieve itching and prevent new outbreaks (flares).
Symptoms
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) symptoms can appear anywhere on the body and vary widely from person to person. They may include:
Dry, cracked skin, Itchiness.
Rash on swollen skin that varies in colour depending on your skin colour
Small, raised bumps, on brown or Black skin, Oozing and crusting, Thickened skin.
Darkening of the skin, Raw, sensitive skin from scratching
Atopic dermatitis often begins before age 5 and may continue into the teen and adult years. For some people, it flares and then clears up for a time, even for several years.
Is so uncomfortable that the condition is affecting sleep and daily activities.
It is a skin infection that looks for new streaks, pus, and yellow scabs.
Many times, symptoms exist even after trying self-care steps.
Seek immediate medical attention if you or your child has a fever and the rash looks infected. Homeopathic treatment would be best in such cases.
In some cases, atopic dermatitis is related to a gene variation that affects the skin’s ability to provide protection. The skin is less able to retain moisture and protect against bacteria, irritants, allergens and environmental factors (tobacco smoke) due to weak barrier function.
A weak skin barrier function might also trigger an immune system response that causes the inflamed skin and other symptoms.
In some cases, atopic dermatitis is caused by too much of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus on the skin. This displaces helpful bacteria and disrupts the skin’s barrier function.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is one of several types of dermatitis. Other common types are contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff).
Dermatitis is not contagious.
Risk factors
The main risk factor for atopic dermatitis is having had eczema, allergies, hay fever or asthma in the past. Genetic same conditions in family might increase risk to cause atopic dermatitis.
Complications
Complications of atopic dermatitis (eczema) may include:
Sleep problems. The itchiness of atopic dermatitis can interfere with sleep.
Mental health conditions. Depression and anxiety. Constant itching and sleep problems also affect mental conditions in atopic dermatitis.
Asthma and hay fever – This can happen before or after developing atopic dermatitis.
Food allergies. People with atopic dermatitis often develop food allergies. One of the main symptoms of this condition is hives (urticaria).
Chronic itchy, scaly skin.
A skin condition called neurodermatitis starts with a patch of itchy skin. Because of itching patients scratch the area, which provides only temporary relief. Scratching actually makes the skin itchier because it activates the nerve fibres in your skin. Over time, patients may scratch out of habit. This condition can cause the affected skin to become discoloured, thick.
Patches of skin that’s darker or lighter than the surrounding area. This complication after the rash has healed is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. It might take several months for the discoloration to fade. It is more common in black or brown skin.
Skin infections. Repeated scratching that breaks the skin can cause open sores and cracks. These increase the risk of infection from bacteria and viruses. These skin infections can spread and become life-threatening. It pushes the condition of skin into more worsening condition.
Irritant hand dermatitis. This especially affects people whose hands are often wet and exposed to harsh soaps, detergents and disinfectant at work.
Allergic contact dermatitis. This is common in eczema. Allergic contact dermatitis is an itchy rash caused by touching substances you’re allergic to. This creates a change in colour into the original skin.
Prevention
Start developing a basic skin care routine which may help prevent eczema flares.
Use following tips to reduce dryness of skin after bath:
Moisturize your skin at least twice a day. Ideally, simple petroleum jelly or lotion of Vaseline is the best one for skin & it will be safe, effective, affordable and unscented.
Using petroleum jelly on your baby’s skin may help prevent development of atopic dermatitis.
Take a daily bath or shower. Use warm, rather than hot, water and limit your bath or shower to about 10 minutes.
Use a gentle, non-soap cleanser.
Choose a cleanser that’s free of dyes, alcohols and fragrance.
Soap can be especially irritating to the skin of young children.
For people of any age, deodorant soaps and antibacterial soaps can remove too much of the skin’s natural oils and dry the skin. Don’t scrub the skin with a wash clothes or scrubber.
After bathing, gently pat the skin with a soft towel. Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp (within three minutes). Apply coconut oil at night time on the entire affected area. It will help to keep skin smooth and reduce itching.
The triggers for atopic dermatitis vary widely from person to person. Try to identify and avoid irritants that trigger your eczema. In general, avoid anything that causes an itch because scratching often triggers a flare.
Common triggers for atopic dermatitis include:
Dust, pollen, dry air, cold air, fragrances, cleaning products, heat or sweat, stress, dry skin, some irritant chemicals.
Infants and children may have flares triggered by eating certain foods, such as eggs and cow’s milk. Talk with your Homeopath about identifying potential food allergies.
Treatment-
Homeopathy treatment is best for Atopic dermatitis. As it increases immunity which leads to improvement in weak barrier function of skin. It also helps to reduce itching if medicines given by homeopaths are perfect.
Homeopathic case taking goes in depth consultation in which patients physical, emotional and psychological symptoms get covered. So the result comes whole as complete health.
If the cause is genetic then also homeopathic medicines work excellent. The main focus is to improve immunity so that skin should heal internally.
No local ointments or creams are given in homeopathy, as homeopathy believes in internal complete healing of patients which makes external skin healthy.
We at Mindwell treated many cases of Eczema with homeopathy. If you want to consult us then visit : www.mindwell.co.in or contact us on 9819901406 or 9819904411
