When you get this as a child the condition may get better or go away. In adults it tends to come and go for a long time.
Those affected by eczema can lack certain kind of proteins that maintain the skin’s barrier to water. This may cause the skin to be very sensitive to irritants and more likely to get skin infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungus. Eczema tends to come and go, often without warning.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of atopic dermatitis are:
- Dry skin
- Itching, which may be severe, especially at night
- Red, Raw skin with blisters that leak clear fluid or crust over—caused by scratching
- Rashes can occur on the face, inside the elbows, behind the knees, and on the hands and feet
- Thickened, cracked or scaly skin from long-term scratching
When To See A Doctor?
Call your healthcare provider if:
- Symptoms do not get better with the care you give at home.
- Is so uncomfortable the condition is affecting sleep and daily activities
- Skin infection- look for red streaks, pus, yellow scabs
- Symptoms do not get better with homecare
- The treatment your healthcare provider recommends does not work.
Causes
The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is not known. It cannot be spread from person to person, and it isn’t contagious.
Atopic dermatitis appears to run in families. (inherited from parents) and there are some environmental factors. It’s more common in children whose parents have asthma or allergies. People who live in cities or in dry climates are also more likely to have eczema.
Some people with eczema may find that common products, or even some foods cause the condition to flare up. These are sometimes referred to as “triggers.” If you pay attention to your triggers, you can control your symptoms. Common eczema triggers include:
- Soaps and household cleaners
- Fragrances in perfumes and lotions
- Polyester and wool fabrics
- Pet dander
- Emotional stress
- Cigarette smoke
- Sweating
Although eczema affects all ages, it usually appears in early childhood and disappears around six years of age.
Diagnosis and Tests
There is no actual test for atopic dermatitis. To find out if you have it, your healthcare provider may:
- Look very closely at your skin
- Ask about your family’s medical history
- Ask about your personal medical history
- Do a skin test to try to find out if you something else is causing your itchy skin
Eczema Treatment in Tampa, FL
There is no known cure for atopic dermatitis. The focus of treatment is to reduce itching and keep the skin moisturized. Your healthcare provider can help you with a plan.
Care at home can include:
- Try to avoid scratching. You can relieve itch by using a topical steroid cream or by taking an over-the-counter antihistamine medicine.
- You can keep skin moist by using lotions, creams, or ointment (such as petroleum jelly) 2 or 3 times a day. Don’ use products that can irritate the skin, products with alcohol, scents, or dyes that can irritate the skin.
- Take baths on cooler side and apply lotion or cream while skin is still damp.
- Avoid products or other things that make symptoms worse. These can include wool, with lanolin and also strong soaps.
- Wear light gloves if nighttime scratching is a problem.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe a medicine, a stronger cortisone cream, or recommend other treatments.
Prevention
You cannot prevent atopic dermatitis. However, you can avoid the things that make your symptoms worse or cause flare ups.
More importantly, with proper treatment you can control symptoms. Contact the experts at Bay Dermatology today to get your Eczema under control and get your confidence back!