Eczema

Eczema

Eczema is a chronic that affects the skin. It is not contagious; it cannot be passed from one person to another. With eczema, the skin becomes extremely itchy. Scratching often leads to redness, swelling, cracking, "weeping" clear fluid, and finally, crusting and scaling. There are typically periods of flares and remissions in most people. Although Eczema can occur at any age, it most often begins in childhood. In many children with eczema, the skin disease improves or disappears altogether as they grow older, although their skin often remains dry and easily irritated. In others, eczema continues to be a significant problem in adulthood. While the cause of eczema is unknown, it is thought to be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Eczema is actually a general term for several types of disorder which cause irritation and inflammation of the skin. The most common of the many types of eczema is Atopic dermatitis. Other types include: Allergic contact eczema (dermatitis), Dyshidrotic eczema, Neurodermatitis, Nummular eczema, Seborrheic eczema, and Stasis dermatitis.

Treatment of Eczema

There are two goals in the treatment of eczema. The first is to prevent flares of the disease, which can be accomplished by using medications known as immuno-modulators and reducing skin irritants. The second treatment goal is to protect the skin during flares to reduce the discomfort and problems associated with scratching. This is often accomplished by using cortisone creams and other lotions to protect the skin.

Haslett Ch 21 FINAL

...combination in impetiginised atopic dermatitis. Br J Dermatol 1976; 95:323.....have increased and awareness of these therapies.. the basal layer and in the layer.....JM, Gilbert M, et ...

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ATOPIC DERMATITIS

ATOPIC DERMATITIS / ECZEMA RESOURSES. ABC of allergies: Allergy and the skin. IIContact and atopic eczema P S Friedmann BMJ 1998; 316: 1226. About Atopic Dermatitis. About Eczema ... Atopic ...

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BioMed Central | Full text | Parents' reported preference scores for..

...history   Atopic dermatitis is the ... of new medical therapies. To properly evaluate the impact of new therapies for atopic dermatitis,...

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Handout on Health: Atopic Dermatitis

Health Information. Health Topics. Publication Date: January 1999. Revised: April 2003. Handout on Health: Atopic Dermatitis. Information Boxes ... people who have atopic dermatitis (often ...

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Immune mechanisms of childhood asthma -- Donovan and Finn 54 (10): 938

...risk of allergic disorders, primarily atopic dermatitis, at age six in a.....Johnson CC, Ownby DR, Peterson EL. Parental history of atopic disease and concentration.....asthma may lead ...

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