INTRODUCTION: Eczema is a type of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin and is usually cyclical, meaning that at some times of the year the afflicted are able to feel normal, while at other times they will separate themselves from social contact. Diagnosis is most often based on the appearance of inflamed, itchy skin in sensitive areas such as face, chest and other skin crease areas.



It is sometimes spoken of as "the itch that rashes," since the itch, when scratched, results in the development of a rash. It can occur on almost any part of the body; however, in infants, it most often occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck. Outbreaks can usually be avoided by taking precautionary measures.

DERMATITIS: One of the most common types of eczema is atopic dermatitis (or "atopic eczema"). There are several different kinds, but the one that most people usually mean when they say eczema is atopic dermatitis. In general, it comes and goes, often based on external factors.

Eczema is a chronic skin disease characterized by itching rashes, which may be red, scaly, dry, or leathery. Causes for it is yet unknown, but it does appear to run in families that have a history of asthma, allergies or atopic dermatitis.

Some herbs, such as chamomile, are known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. It is a chronic disease, but only about a third of children with it will continue to have problems as they get older. In atopic dermatitis it is typical for there to be episodes of calm mixed with flares ups of eczema. It's the most common kind of eczema.

TREATMENT: Moisturizing the skin is one of the most important self-care treatments for those suffering from eczema. Another treatment option is to try bathing with colloidal oatmeal. Other than direct treatments of the symptoms, no cure is presently known for most forms of dermatitis; even cortisone and immuno-modulation may often have only minute effects on what may be a complex problem.

These applications are usually most effective when applied directly after taking a bath (within 3 minutes is a common recommendation) so that the dampness from the bath is "locked in". Tar treatments and photo-therapy are also used and can have positive effects; however, tar can also be messy.

While there are many therapies, it isn't always easy to find the right one for you. Eczema patients can be treated, but medical therapies often don't help a pain which is more than skin deep. The primary treatments are aimed at controlling and preventing inflammation and itching and include avoiding triggers, frequent bathing and hydrating of the skin, liberal use of moisturizers and lubricants, and the use of steroid creams for flare ups.

With innumerable types treatments on the market, it's critical to be knowledgeable when making decisions with your doctor. The natural human desire to scratch or rub an itchy rash simply worsens the condition, and treatments can be slow and are often not very effective.

CONCLUSION: Eczema is a general term encompassing various inflamed skin conditions and occurs in both children and adults, but usually appears during infancy. It is an allergic condition that affects the skin. Also known as dermatitis it can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. It's not contagious but like many diseases, currently cannot be cured.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 15 million people in the USA have some form of eczema. About 10 percent to 20 percent of all babies have it; however, in nearly 1/2 of these children, the disease will improve much by the time they are five to 15 years of age.

Since dermatitis is usually dry and itchy, the most common treatment is the use of lotions or creams to keep the skin as moist as possible. One of the most important parts of a treatment routine is to prevent scratching.

Finally, in cases where eczema does not respond to therapy, your doctor may prescribe the drug cyclosporine A, which modifies immune response; however, this is used only in extreme situations because of its association with serious side effects.