What is Eczema?
Eczema encompasses
a group of skin medical conditions. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a condition when the skin becomes inflamed or irritated.
What Causes Eczema?
Unfortunately, it’s not completely clear what causes eczema. Eczema is a combination of genetic, environmental, and possibly immune system factors and symptoms are the skin’s overreaction to an irritant. It’s been linked with with a family history of allergies or asthma. Eczema occurs in 10-20% of infants and 3% of adults.
Image Source Flickr
What are Eczema Symptoms?
The uncomfortable symptoms of eczema include itchy and dry skin that creates a rash.
Is Eczema Contagious?
Eczema is not contagious! It cannot be passed from person to person like a cold.
How is Eczema Treated?
There is no cure for eczema. Treatment is to relieve the annoying and painful symptoms associated with eczema. The most important goal is to relieve itching. Severe itching can cause the skin to break and lead to infection.
Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may prescribe a number of treatment options. They may prescribe a hydrocortisone 1% cream to apply to your eczema or an antihistamine may be prescribed to help with itching.
There is a myth that steroids can be prescribed to cure eczema. Sadly, there is no cure, steroids may help treat the symptoms.
Every case of eczema is different and requires a visit to your doctor to decide the best treatment option.
What Can I Do to Help My Child’s Eczema?
- You can help your child my making sure they moisturize after bathing with a recommending moisturizer.
- Avoid using harsh soaps and detergents. Use this list from the National Eczema Association to help get started, but make sure you talk to a doctor as well.
- Avoid scratchy fabrics like wool!
Please contact Dr. Konz and Dr. Wendelborn at Allergy and Asthma Associates for more information!