Eczema And The
Control Of This Skin Condition
By Scott Michaels
Eczema is an inflammatory, chronic,
noncontagious disease of
the skin caused by allergy and hypersensitivity. The term is
loosely used to include many skin conditions more properly
included under dermatitis. Eczema is characterized by a number
of cutaneous lesions, such as macules, papules, pustules,
vesicles, scales, and crusts.
Macules are nonelevated skin spots. Papules are hard, circular,
and elevated. Pustules are papular like lesions that contain
pus, and vesicles are small skin blisters that contain fluid.
Eczematous lesions are usually accompanied by an exudation of
serous fluid and by intense itching. One-third to one-half of
all cutaneous conditions are eczematous.
There is no known cure for eczema, but new treatments are
helping people to manage, and even prevent flares, better than
ever before.
Treatment is most effective when people with
eczema work closely with a physician, preferably a
dermatologist, who will customize a treatment approach based on
the person's age, symptoms, and overall health. With the right
treatment, most flares can be brought under control in less
than three weeks.
In more severe cases of eczema, where other treatments have
failed, systemic steroids may be used. Instead of applying the
steroidal medication to the top of the skin, it is injected
into the body, or taken in pill form. These medications should
only be used for a short time.
Side effects can include skin damage, weakened bones, high
blood sugar and/or blood pressure, infections, and cataracts.
It is also dangerous to stop systemic corticosteroids abruptly,
and patients must work closely with a doctor when changing doses
or stopping treatment.
Antibiotics can be prescribed by a doctor to treat secondary
infections associated with eczema. Medications used to fight
infection can come in ointment or pill form and are taken for a
set period of time.
Sedating antihistamines, which are best to take at bedtime, can
help ease severe itching associated with eczema, and help
restless sleepers and "scratchers" to sleep. The sedating
antihistamines are more effective at relieving itching than the
newer, non-sedating antihistamines, but these drugs cause
drowsiness, and can affect an adult's ability to work and
think, and childrens' ability to learn if taken during the day.
Phototherapy uses ultraviolet A or B light waves, and is
reserved for children over 12 and adults. It is very much like
a tanning bed, and, like tanning beds, can cause skin cancer if
used too much, for too long. Doctors use the minimum exposure
necessary to ease itching and reduce inflammation.
In severe cases of eczema that do not respond to any other
treatment, an immunosuppressive drug, like cyclosporine, may be
used for a short time although the safety and effectiveness of
cyclosporin in children has not been clearly established by
clinical trials. These drugs block the production of some of
the body's immune cells and curb the effect of others. They can
provide relief from very serious eczema flares, but this
improvement while on the drug often does not continue after the
drug course is over. Side effects include hypertension and
kidney problems, nausea, tingling or numbness, headaches, and a
possible increase in cancer risk.
Keeping the skin happy and healthy is the first rule of good
eczema care. This includes avoiding flare triggers, and
sticking to a skin care routine that keeps the skin
moisturized, and minimizes itchiness. Still, flares do happen.
If inflammation cannot be reduced with good lifestyle and skin
care habits alone, there are a wide variety of both
over-the-counter and prescription medications available to
manage the flares.
About The Author: There is no known cure for eczema but new
treatments are helping people to manage, and even prevent
flares, better than ever before.
http://www.eczemacontrol.info
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