Eczema

Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis:
This is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting many people, mostly children but often continuing into adulthood.
Scientists are confused as to how it starts, is it related to abnormal skin that allows a breakdown of the normal barrier to the environment, or is it due to allergy. It is thought that if the skin does not have a normal barrier then irritants will inflame the skin causing the rash. It is thought that Eczema is genetic and inherited as a major cause.
Hydration is very key in treating Eczema. The skin in people with Eczema is dry with less water in it and less ability to keep water in. This dry skin causes itching which just makes things worse.
Most people with Eczema have dry itchy skin, usually it involves the skin creases and starts as a young child or infant.
Treatment of Eczema:
Avoid trigger factors such as heat, perspiration, low humidity
Treat skin infections such as staph
Use antihistamines for sedation and control of itching
Treat stress and anxiety
Hydration

Hydrate: Lotions, which have a high water and low oil content, can make the dry skin worse surprisingly. Thick creams (eg, Eucerin, Cetaphil, Nutraderm), which have a low water content, or ointments (eg, petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, Petrolatum), which have zero water content work much better.
A sleeping environment with minimal dust and upholstery reduces exposure to house dust mites and may potentially reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis.
In infants, avoidance of certain foods can be helpful. Common food triggers include eggs, nuts, peanut butter, chocolate, milk, seafoods, and soya.
Steroids: These can be helpful but have the side effects of thinning the skin so use in moderation. Other topical treatments such as Tacrolimus and pimecrolimus can be used but have a risk of cancer and are quite expensive. In sever cases some doctors use immune system suppressing drugs which have a lot more side effects.

Dermatology 101

Welcome to Dermatology 101
A Blog dedicated to basic Dermatology and questions about the skin.
Information provided by Dr Rachel, founder of www.drrachelskincare.com