Eczema or dermatitis is the medical term for a skin disorder where the skin looks inflamed and irritated. Inflammation can occur anywhere but are most often affected are the hands and feet. This type of eczema is the most common is atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis. Symptoms of eczema will begin to emerge in childhood, especially when their children aged over 2 years. In some cases, eczema will disappear with age, but not a few who will suffer all his life. With proper treatment, the disease can be controlled by either reducing the recurrence rate.
Wherever the location of the onset of eczema, the main symptom is itching perceived patient. Sometimes the itching has appeared before any signs of redness on the skin. Symptoms of redness will usually appear on the face, knees, hands and feet, but did not rule redness appeared in other areas.
The affected area will feel very dry, thickened or scab. In whites, this area was originally going to pink and then turn brown. Meanwhile in people with darker skin, eczema affects the skin pigment that eczema area will appear lighter or darker.
The cause of eczema is actually not known with certainty, but some experts suspect eczema associated with the activity of the body's defense (immune) is excessive. This causes the body to overreact to bacteria or irritants that are not harmful to the skin. Therefore, eczema is commonly found in families with a history of allergic disease or asthma.
Each each person has different triggers eczema different. There are people who, after holding soap or detergent will feel itchy exceptional, some are caused by material or other household appliance. Symptoms that arise are varied, but there is the itch mild burning sensation of the dominant, some are otherwise. Upper respiratory tract infection or flu can also trigger the onset of eczema. Stress experienced by patients will make the symptoms worse.
Although the healing of eczema is very difficult, but in many cases, patients can reduce recurrence by doing the right treatment and avoid irritants / allergens that cause eczema. Keep in mind, the disease is not contagious and will not spread from one person to another.
The main goal of treatment is to relieve the itching to prevent infection. When the skin feels very dry and itchy, lotions and moisturizing creams are highly recommended to make your skin more moist. This action is usually done when the skin is still slightly wet, like a shower so that when topically applied lotion to maintain skin moisture. Cold compresses are also thought to reduce the itching that occurs.
Ointments or creams containing corticosteroids such as hydrokortison given to reduce inflammation or inflammation. For severe cases, doctors will give corticosteroid tablets and if the eczema infected area then it could be given antibiotics to kill bacteria that cause infection. Another drug that is needed is an antihistamine to reduce itching that is too heavy, and cyclosporin for patients who do not respond to all types of treatment provided.
The emergence of eczema can be avoided by doing some of the tips below:
Keep the skin moist.
Avoid changes in temperature and humidity of a sudden.
Avoid sweating too much or too hot.
Reduce Stress.
Avoid clothing that uses the scratching material such as wool and others.
Avoid soaps with ingredients that are too hard, detergents and other solutions.
Avoid other environmental factors that can trigger allergies such as pollen, dust, animal dander and others.
Be careful in choosing foods that can cause allergies.