|
'A non-contagious, inflammatory disease of the skin with
much itching and burning. It may be acute, sub-acute or
chronic…It may occur at any age and may be caused
by a variety of internal and external factors.' Butterworths'
Medical Dictionary
What
is Eczema?
Eczema is an inflammatory skin disorder. It is characterised
by patches of dry, red, flaking skin, oftenaccompanied
by areas that are inflamed, moist and oozing. Eczema can
be Acute - short-lived, or Chronic, lasting for several
years with periods of remission. If eczema is chronic,
then the skin may become thick and scaly and may change
colour. The itching caused by eczema can become so severe
and intolerable that scratching is unavoidable. Scratching
may cause skin to crack and bleed. Eczema can affect any
part of the body, but is most commonly found on the face,
scalp, hands, behind the ears and in the creases of the
elbows, knees and groin. It is not contagious. People
who have eczema usually have very dry, itchy skin that
struggles to hold moisture.
Types
of Eczema
The following section highlights the different types of
skin conditions that come under the broad title of eczema.
Although the list may seem extensive, eczema is only actually
the result of either Atopic dermatitis or Contact dermatitis.
Atopic
dermatitis
is inherited and usually appears in infancy or early childhood.
70% of people with this form of dermatitis are usually
aware of other family members with a history of eczema.
This type of eczema can worsen after eating certain foods
or after being exposed to other allergens such as pollen
or dust. Atopic eczema can be a long term condition.
Contact
dermatitis
is the most common form of the condition and is often
the result of an allergic reaction after touching something.
This type of eczema can be caused by many irritants including
soaps and detergents, bubble bath, cosmetics, fabric dyes,
feathers, metals, wool, plants and animal hair.
Both
these types of eczema are considered to be the result
of allergic reactions and many sufferers have other allergies
also, such as asthma, hay fever and food intolerance.
Emotional stress can worsen a case of eczema further.
The
following list contains more specific branches of eczema.
Each type is accompanied by a brief description of symptoms.
>Eczema
Papulosum
Characterised by the appearance off small, red lumps on
the skin (papules).
>Eczema
Pustulosum
Characterised by the formation of pustules.
>Eczema
Rubrum
A stage of eczema accompanied by redness, swelling and
infiltration (filling with fluid or pus). Redness and
oozing may also occur.
>Eczema Sclerosum
A chronic and advanced stage of eczema. The least inflammatory
eczema coupled with thickening, infiltration and the hardening
of the skin to form a lesion.
>Eczema
Siccum
Dry, scaly eczema
>Eczema
Varicosum
Can be known as hypostatic or gravitational eczema and
is caused by impaired or restricted flow in the veins.
>Infantile
Eczema
Most eczema sufferers develop the condition during the
first nine years of life. Characteristic sites are the
face then elbows, knees, neck, wrists and ankles. Symptoms
usually retreat in teenage years and it has been found
that the breast-fed child is 60% less likely to be affected
compared to the bottle fed child.
>Infected
Dermatitis
Some eczema can be caused by a bacterial allergy. This
form of eczema is characterised by crusty, scaly patches
of eczema near an ulcer or discharging wound. Scratching
can also cause it.
>Nummular
Eczema
Also known as discord eczema, it appears as round, symmetrical
lesions. Theses can be scattered over the whole body but
are most common on the legs. The lesions can be intensely
itchy.
>Pityriasis
Alba
Common in darker skinned people, the dry eczema forms
white, round or oval patches on the skin. It is common
in children and adolescents.
>Seborrhoeic
Dermatitis
Affects hairy areas such as the scalp, neck and groin.
There are many examples of this type of condition including,
dandruff and cradle-cap.
|
