What is eczema? Eczema (say: "ex-...

What is eczema?

Eczema (say: "ex-zuh-mah") is an itching, scaling, swelling rash in succession the skin. The upper layers of the skin cause to deviate red and swell (inflame), and form free from moisture or greasy scales (skin flakes). In austere cases, yellow and red pimples form forward the skin, behind the ears, in the ear canal, onward the eyebrows, on and around the nose, and onward the chest. There is no remedial treatment for eczema, but the symptoms can be relieved with treatment.

Eczema is sometimes referr to as "dermatitis." It can be caused by the agency of an allergic reaction to something you touched (called "contact dermatitis"), or it can affect tribe who have hay fever or asthma (called "atopic dermatitis").

What can I do to curb my eczema?

* Limit your contact with things that can irritate your skin. any of these things include certain household cleansers, detersives aftershave lotions, soaps, gasoline, and turpentine and other menstrums Try to avoid touching things that make you break revealed with eczema. Because soaps and wetness can cause skin irritation, wash your hands single when necessary, especially if you have eczema onward your hands. Be sure to thirsty your hands completely after you wash them.

* Wear glove to screen the skin on your hands. Wear vinyl or plastic glove for work that requires you to inflict your hands in water. Also, wear glove when your hands will be expos to anything that can irritate your skin. Wear cotton glove subject to plastic gloves to soak up the sweat from your hands. Take occasional breaks and suppress your gloves to prevent a build-up of sweat inside the gloves

Wear glove when you pass outside during the winter. cool air and low humidity can dried your skin, and dryness can make eczema worse.

* Wear clothes made of cotton or a cotton amalgamate Wool and some synthetic fabrics can irritate your skin. mostly people with sensitive skin be impressed better in clothes made of cotton or a cotton blend

* Care for your skin in the bath or shower. Bathe alone with a mild soap, as it was as Dove, Basis, or Oil of Olay. Use a small amount of soap when bathing. retain the water temperature cool or warm, not of high temperature Soaking in the tub for a short time can be useful for your skin because the skin's exterior layer can absorb water and become les arid Soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Then use a easily moulded towel to pat your skin thirsty without rubbing. Immediately after drying with the towel, apply a moisturizer lotion to your skin. It helps seal in the moisture.

* Use the medicine your doctor prescribes for you. When your eczema flares up (get worse), use the medicine prescribed according to your doctor. Put it forward right after a bath or shower. The medicine for eczema is usually a steroid cream that you smooth on your skin. Follow your doctor's directions for using this medicine or check the label for just use. Call your doctor if your skin does not acquire better after three weeks of using the medicine each day.

* Use a moisturizer forward your skin every day. Moisturizers help detain your skin soft and flexible. They impede skin cracks. A plain moisturizer is best. Avoid moisturizers with fragrances (perfume) and a accident of extra ingredients. A virtuous cheap moisturizer is plain rock oil jelly (such as Vaseline). Use moisturizers that are more greasy than creamy, because creams usually have more preservatives in them. Regular use of a moisturizer can help obstruct the dry skin that is general in winter.

* Avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy area. prove by experiment not to scratch the irritated area forward your skin even if it itches. Scratching can break the skin. Bacteria can enroll these breaks and cause infection.

* Avoid getting too furious and sweaty. Too much heat and sweat can make your skin more irritated and itchy. essay to avoid activities that make you violent and sweaty. If you exercise, put to the test exercising in a cool chamber and wear light clothing for a like reason that you do not sweat for a like reason much.

* Learn in what manner to manage stress in your life. Eczema can flare up when you are subordinate to stress. Learn how to recognize and cope with stres Stres reduction techniques can help. Changing your activities to convert into daily stress can be helpful.

* Continue skin care flat after your skin has healed. The area where you had the eczema may learn irritated again, so it requires special care. Continue to come [i]or[/i] go after [i]or[/i] behind the tips in this handout steady after your eczema has healed.

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group