14/01/2014
*** Eczema ***
What is Eczema?
It is a red, itchy rash that is uncomfortable for sufferers. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a skin disease that itches and can cause a rash — it has been called the "itch that rashes"
Eczema's Effect on Your Skin
When you have eczema, your skin is dry and damaged. And because of this damage, your skin has little protection from allergens like pollen and dust, or other environmental triggers that can cause skin to react. These triggers can easily enter through the skin's surface, initiating a flare. That's where the real problem begins... the ITCHING.
Once the itch starts, the scratching follows. That scratching leads to more itching which leads to even more scratching, which is the very definition of the Itch-Scratch Cycle. As the scratching continues, your skin becomes more irritated, and yes, there's more itching.
It's unpredictable how eczema is going to affect you or when it will occur. Eczema, by its very nature, is a disease of episodes with many experiencing extended "normal" periods between "flares". During these times, it is important to take special note of your surroundings like temperatures, allergens, soaps, foods, and more that may impact your skin and its reaction.
Eczema can appear differently in different people. For some, they experience puffy, fluid-filled skin that can ooze, while others have dry, red, itchy areas on their body that become darker over time.
Eczema in Children
In children, the itching and scratching of eczema can be difficult to manage. Nighttime is especially challenging, when many children either scratch themselves while they sleep, or, in many cases, they just cannot fall asleep because of the itching. It becomes a challenge for parents as they struggle to help their kids.
Young children are usually affected on their face, scalp, arms, and legs, while older children typically experience eczema on the inner elbows, back of their knees, near their ankles and wrists, and around their neck, as well. These areas become very red and itchy, and the constant scratching just makes it worse as the skin becomes more irritated.
For children, there are so many irritants that can cause eczema to flare, it is very important that you pay close attention to the child's surroundings. As in adults, the simplest of things—a plant, heat, food, etc—can trigger an episode. Tracking the triggers and maintaining a daily journal have been helpful for parents and sufferers alike.
Treatments
Currently, there is no cure for eczema. However, with proper management and treatment, it usually can be kept under control. The best place to start is by working with your doctor to form an eczema management plan. For example, try to learn which triggers cause your flares. Simply avoiding your triggers may go a long way toward improving your eczema.
Managing your eczema takes more than just good skin care. It often requires medications to treat the symptoms of eczema, and typically the first course of action by most doctors is a topical corticosteroid.
Here is a brief description of various treatments used by patients and physicians to help treat eczema symptoms.
Steroids
Topical corticosteroids are usually effective when applied as indicated by your physician. This is the first step by most physicians, as steroids are usually effective in controlling an eczema flare.
Topical treatments are applied directly to the skin as an ointment, cream, foam, or lotion. Corticosteroids are different from anabolic steroids often associated with abuse in sports. They reduce inflammation and control itching and other symptoms of eczema. They range in strength from mild to super-potent. Mild topical steroids can be bought over the counter in drug stores. More potent steroids are available only by prescription.
Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors (TCIs)
TCIs are used when other prescription medications have not worked or if the doctor recommends that other prescription medicines should not be used.
TCIs should only be used by adults and children 2 years of age and older who do not have a weakened immune system. They are used directly on skin that has eczema for short periods. If needed, treatment with TCIs can be repeated with breaks in between. The most common side effects that can occur when you use TCIs include stinging, burning, and itching.
Emollients
These products restore moisture to the skin and help prevent dryness. Some emollients are available over the counter, while others require a prescription.
Other treatments
Your doctor may also prescribe medications that do not treat eczema itself, but help relieve complications associated with the condition.
Antibiotics
In eczema, the normal skin barrier can be damaged, allowing germs to enter and cause a skin infection. In this case, antibiotics may also be prescribed to help fight these infections. In many children, as well as adults, infections can occur as a result of constant scratching.
Antihistamines
These medications, which are normally used to treat allergies such as hay fever, are sometimes used to control itching and help patients sleep. Be sure to talk to your doctor before using them.
Tips to Help Manage Your Symptoms
One of the keys to living with your eczema is to find ways to help calm your symptoms and find relief. But what's right for you? Being proactive in every aspect of managing your eczema symptoms and working with your doctor on your treatment approach are key to successfully living with this chronic disease.
Things to do:
Moisturizing
Create a daily regimen of bathing and moisturizing.
Prevent "winter itch" by moisturizing daily during the winter months. Also, use a lip balm to help keep your child's lips from becoming chapped.
Apply moisturizer while your child's skin is still wet, as this will seal in the water.
Re-apply moisturizer throughout the day. Moisture is beneficial for all patients with eczema, including those with moderate to severe eczema.
Bathing Suggestions
Pat your child dry, as rubbing can cause even greater irritation.
Maintain lukewarm water temperature for your child's showers and baths.
Use a mild shampoo, and wash your child's hair in a sink or shower instead of in the bathtub. That way, the lather won't linger on your child's skin.
Use mild moisturizing skin cleaners, and don't lather all over—just wash the places it's needed, then rinse well.
Sunlight & Temperatures
Maintain a steady, moderate temperature in your home. Temperature fluctuations can cause additional irritation as your child's skin warms and cools. And with the sensitive nature of a child's skin, this is extremely important.
Use a cool-mist humidifier to help keep the air in your kid's bedroom moist. Clean the humidifier daily to prevent mold from growing.
Keep skin covered during the winter months when your kids go outside.
Try to stay indoors during very hot or very cold weather whenever possible.
Clothing & Detergents
Wash new clothes before your child wears them.
Use a dye-free, perfume-free detergent and rinse your laundry twice to remove any soap left behind.
Dress your kids in layers of clothing during all seasons. Layers can be removed if they feel too warm.
If your child is active, wear cotton clothing that breathes to cut down on sweating. Also, bathe your child as soon as possible to wash off the sweat.
Things to avoid:
Food Triggers
Avoid food suspected to cause flares. The most common food allergies for kids are milk, eggs, nuts, wheat, soy, and seafood. Keep a daily record of the type of foods that may affect you or your child.
Environmental Triggers
Detergent. Soap. Perfumes. Fabrics. Whatever it may be. No matter what that trigger may be, it is important that you limit your child's exposure to it.
Avoid breathing paint fumes and smoke.
Avoid sudden temperature changes. Hot and cold weather can trigger your child's eczema. Indoor heat can dry your skin during winter, and the sweat from hot summer days can irritate your child as well.
If sweat irritates your child's skin, avoid vigorous exercise, especially when his skin is flaring.
Allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust can cause reactions in your kids—from hives and itching to the onset of an eczema flare.
Hot Baths & Soaps
Avoid hot water or long exposure to water.1,3
Avoid bubble baths, bath oils, and scented bath salts, which can aggravate your child's eczema.
Keep baths and showers short—5 to 10 minutes is enough. Any longer and your body's natural oils begin to get washed away.
Do not rub your child's skin with a washcloth.
Don't use soap unless dirt won't come off with plain water. (Soap removes the natural oils on your child's skin that help it stay moist.)
Clothing
Remove clothing tags that rub against your child's skin.
Avoid clothes made from itchy or stiff fabrics like wool, polyester, nylon, or acrylic. Also, be careful to check the seams of clothes that can be rough and may irritate your child's skin.
