Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) A non-contagious allergic skin condition that causes itching and dryness of the skin due to some irritant or allergen. What is eczema? It is an inflammatory skin condition that affects 7-10% of Indian population  and is most common in children where the skin gets dry irritated red and itchy. Eczema are of different types but most common is atopic dermatitis.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

A non-contagious allergic skin condition that causes itching and dryness of the skin due to some irritant or allergen.

What is eczema?

It is an inflammatory skin condition that affects 7-10% of Indian population  and is most common in children where the skin gets dry irritated red and itchy. Eczema are of different types but most common is atopic dermatitis.

What causes the onset of eczema?

Although the cause of eczema is not completely understood, studies suggest the following can be causes of eczema poor immune response to environmental or internal factors,  Genetic tendencies.

Symptoms of eczema

1. Mostly patients have dry, itchy skin. Because it is so painful, it is often called "The itch that rashes."
2. Includes redness, scales, and lumps that are prone to fluid leakage and eventual crusting over. Possibly more itchy at night
3. Dry skin, which can crack and possibly bleed
4. Rashes that commonly appear in the creases of the elbows or knees or the nape of the neck

Whenever they worsen, it is referred to as a flare-up.

Many patients discover that their symptoms worsen at night, which makes it hard for them to sleep. Scratching eczema causes more skin irritation and inflammation.

Types of eczema

There are several types of eczema. Each type has unique triggers that can affect your skin’s barrier function, including:

1. Atopic dermatitis.
2. Contact dermatitis:

Contact dermatitis is a rash on your skin that develops when you come into contact with something you’re allergic to or something that irritates your skin

1. Dyshidrotic eczema:

It is a common skin condition that causes blisters and itchy skin. Triggers may include allergies, stress and frequently moist or sweaty hands and feet

1. Neurodermatitis:

IT is a long-lasting itch condition that manifests as clearly marked red patches and plaques of thicker leathery skin.

1. Nummular eczema:

A chronic skin condition that causes raised, round spots on your skin. The coin-shaped lesions are often itchy, sometimes ooze clear fluid and may become crusty.

1. Seborrheic dermatitis.

This form of eczema usually appears in and around the ears, the scalp and may extend to the face. The rash appears as reddish or yellow-brown, oily lesions and tend to increase during cold, dry weather.

It’s possible to have more than one type of eczema at the same time.

What does eczema look like

Each individual who has been diagnosed with eczema may have a varied appearance. The color of an eczema rash might be purple, brown, or grey if you have a dark skin tone. The color of an eczema rash can be pink, red, or purple if you have fair skin.

Common affected area

Eczema can be anywhere on skin, but it is more commonly find in the folds of skins eg:

1. Armpit
2. Neck
3. Elbow
4. Knees
5. Face, especially cheeks
6. In and around ears.

What trigger eczema to flare up

Trigger for eczema can vary from person to person, some of the most common eczema  triggers can be:

1. Stress
2. Dry weather
3. Some type of clothing material
4. Smoke/ pollutant
5. Some food like peanut, egg, dairy products
6. Cosmetics

Lifestyle changes/ Preventive measures

1. Avoid known triggers
2. Keeping skin moisturized by applying             (vaseline, coconut oil, aloe vera gel)
3. Reducing stress
4. Using dye and scent free laundry ,bath and make up product
5. Avoid scratching skin
6. Avoid long bath to prevent skin from getting dry
7. Drink plenty of water to keep the skin hydrated
8. Buckwheat: It’s gluten free millet with strong anti inflammatory effect which help in lowering histamine level
9. Avoid food containing preservative.

Treating eczema with homeopathy

Major cause of eczema is poor immune response, one  cannot treat this condition just by applying external medications. This is where homeopathy plays a role it treats by improving body's immunity system and not suppressing it. In Homeopathy a detailed case is taken to know the cause of Eczema and treated individually.There has been a very good success rate in treating Eczema with Homeopathy.

For details contact Dr.Tejal’s Elixir Homeopathy Clinic