This blog is all about eczema, definition, symptoms, news, and hopefully in the process provides you with a solution to getting rid or overcoming your eczema once and for all.
By simple definition, eczema is a superficial type of inflammation of the skin that may and can be very itchy and creates a watery discharge in the early stages. Later, the affected skin become crusted, scaly-like and thick or thicken. Or in other words, eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by redness, itching and oozing of the visicular lesions which then becomes scaly, crusted or hardened.
By the way 'eczema' is a word that comes from the Greek word 'ekzein meaning 'to boil out'; the Greek word 'ek' means 'out' while the Greek word 'zema' means 'boiling'.
Whichever part of your skin is affected by eczema, it will always be itchy. The itching sometimes starts well before the rash appears. The most common occurrence of eczema are usually on the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands or even your feet. It can also affect other parts of your skin as well.
Skin affected by eczema usually appears dry (very dry), thickened or scaly even. If you are fair-skinned, the affected areas may in the beginning stage appear reddish. It well then turn into brownish as time goes by. If you are dark-skinned, eczema can affect your pigmentation, making them look lighter or darker in color.
Before we go further, note that eczema is not contagious. However, since it is at least partially inherited, it is not common to find members of the same family affected. It is also noted that eczema is slightly more common in girls than boys and it also can happen to anybody, regardless of the color of your skin.
What causes eczema? At the moment, the exact cause of eczema is not known. However, factors such as a defect of the skin that impairs its function as a barrier, combine possibly with the malfunction(abnormality) of the immune system can be the possible cause of eczema.
On the other hand, a gene defects that lead to abnormalities in certain protein i.e. filaggrin that are important in maintaining the barrier function of normal skin also cause atopic deamtitis, studies have shown.
Other form of eczema can be triggered by substances that come in contact with your skin. These includes soaps, cosmetic, clothing, detergents,jewelry or even your own sweat.
Meanwhile, environmental allergens (substances that cause allergic reactions) could also possibly can cause the outbreaks of eczema. In some people,changes in temperature or humidity or even psychological stress can also lead to outbreaks of eczema.
Since there are several causes of eczema, it is therefore imperative that to reduce the present of eczema, you must focus on the cause of eczema. Eczema, by the way, is a very individual condition. What triggers eczema in you might not have any impact at all on other person. It is also noted that what decreases the severity of eczema vary from person to person. That's why, because of the individualistic character of eczema, this makes its harder to find the cure for it, a total cure.
Once you identify which element causes you eczema, then only take the necessary action. Most probably to get rid of eczema,the simplest method will be to change your diet and lifestyle. At the end of the day, the best healer is you. Only through your own effort can eczema be eliminated.
