When we think of eczema, we often thing of it as a disease that affects only infants who will eventually outgrow it. While it is true that eczema is very common in infants – it is estimated that about 15 percent of all infants suffer from this skin condition – there is also quite a large number of older kids and adults who are affected as well. For some of them eczema starts in infancy, others don’t experience outbreaks until later in life. Thankfully many infants with eczema, outgrow it within just a few months or years.
Eczema, also know as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that is often connected to allergies. These allergies may be what are causing the dry, itchy skin. As you scratch, it also becomes red and swollen. A family history of asthma also improves chances of suffering from eczema.
Eczema often starts out with dry, scaly spots of skin that tend to itch. As this skin disease progresses, the areas will become red and swollen. You may also see clear liquid ooze out of particularly bad patches of eczema-affected skin.
While there is no known cure for eczema at the moment, there are quite a few things you can do to both prevent and treat this skin condition. The best way to prevent future eczema episodes is to keep your skin well moisturized and avoid anything that contributes to your outbreaks. This could mean avoiding particular foods, or even changing your soap or laundry detergent. Gentle, natural moisturizers should be used to prevent your skin from drying out – particularly during the winter months. When you do experience an eczema outbreak, your main focus should be on getting your skin to heal fast. Natural treatment options to help you accomplish this are vitamin e and zinc. In severe cases, your dermatologist may also prescribe topical creams or oral medication. These may include antibiotics to help clear up infections on the skin, antihistamines to prevent itching and calcineurin inhibitors that help reduce inflammation from atopic dermatitis.
To learn more about what eczema is and what treatment options are available visit http://www.eczematruth.com/what_is_eczema.html
Source: www.articlealley.com
