If you are suffering from acne and have tried everything to treat it and nothing seems to work it could be because you are suffering from something similar to acne. One of these skin conditions is eczema.
Eczema can affect a number of people. It can affect teenagers, adults, and even the elderly. It is also not a rare occurrence for babies to suffer from eczema. In children it often begins to clear around the ages of 5 and 6, but flare-ups will still often occur in some people. In adults, it is usually a long-term and sometimes permanent or recurring condition that can be difficult to treat. People who suffer from eczema usually tend to have dry skin that flares up and worsens more in the cold winter months as the air is cold and dry and takes a toll on the skin. Some complications include infections of the skin caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Permanent scarring is also quite common.
What is the difference between acne and eczema?
Acne is considered a common occurrence and skin disease that many different people suffer from. It can usually be characterized by non-inflamed or inflamed pigmentations or disturbances in the color of skin. The cause for this is due to a blockage of hair follicles. Dirt and bacteria gather and increase. If nothing is done to treat or prevent the acne from occurring it can become severe, cause scarring, pigmentation, or become inflamed.
Eczema is considered an inflammation of the epidermal layer. It does not affect the hair follicles but occurs for a number of different reasons. Eczema is also a bit different from acne because it is considered a symptom of an underlying disease condition that causes redness, drying, scarring of the affected area, scaly rashes, and most noticeably itchiness. It is not a skin disease, but rather, the result of a disease condition. For instance, some people who suffer from diabetes have been known to suffer from eczema as a result. Eczema sort of resembles the appearance of a diaper rash; it is dry and quite often uncomfortable as it itches. Eczem is also different from acne because it causes blistering, weeping and peeling of the skin. The most common type of eczema Atopic eczema.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors of Atopic Eczema
Atopic Eczema when a hypersensitivity reaction occurs in the skin. (This is similar to an allergy). This type of reaction leads to long term inflammation. As mentioned before it is not uncommon for eczema to affect babies. In fact it is most common in infants, and many people outgrow it by early adulthood. Eczema also seems to be hereditary and runs in families. Many people who suffer from it often have a family history of allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever. A few things that can make eczema worse are as follows.
- Allergies to pollen, mold, dust mites, or animals such as cats or dogs.
- Colds or the flu
- Dry skin
- Stress
- Exposure to water. Especially hot water.
- Contact with rough materials
- Exposure to environmental irritants.
- Feeling too hot or too cold
- Frangrances or dyes added to skin lotions, soaps, detergents, etc.
Typical symptoms and skin changes caused by eczema are as follows:
- Blisters with oozing and crusting
- Itchy or dry skin
- Ear discharge or bleeding
- Raw areas of the skin from scratching
- Skin changing colors. Abnormally dark or light skin.
- Skin redness or irritation.
- Inflammation, or redness and irritation around blisters.
- Thick or leather like lesions. These often occur from scratching and long term irritation.
Where does eczema occur most often?
Both the type of rash and where the eczema occurs usually depend on the age of the patient. For instance in children younger than the age of two, skin lesions usually begin on the face, scalp, hands and feet. These lesions can often be found oozing, crusting or bubbling. In older children and adults eczema is more commonly seen on the inside of the knees and elbows, the neck, hands and feet. It can also be found on the arms, shoulders, chest, and back. During more severe outbreaks rashes may occur anywhere on the body. Itching can sometimes become very intense and almost always occur. Some people may even notice itching before the skin rash even begins to take place.
Eczema is often diagnosed based on the appearance of skin and is also based off of personal history as well as family history. A health care provider such as a physician or a dermatologist should always examine the lesions or rash to rule out any other possible causes and to properly diagnose the patient. Sometimes a skin lesion biopsy may be performed, however this is not something that is always necessary to make a diagnosis in most cases. Allergy skin testing may also be helpful, especially for people who have found that their eczema is difficult to treat, or are suffering from other allergy symptoms.
Eczema is treated in a number of different ways. The first thing you should do if you suspect you may be suffering from this condition is to make an appointment with a health care provider or dermatologist who can examine and diagnose you. They will most likely prescribe you a medication to help treat eczema and reduce itching. Most often they will give you a lotion that you rub on the affected areas. This lotion helps soothe itchy and dry skin. There are also a few things that you can do on your own at home to help reduce the needs for medications. One way to help relieve the itchiness eczema causes is to use a cold compress or take antihistamines to help reduce severe itching and allergic reactions. Keeping your nails cut short can also help, especially in cases where infants suffering from acne scratch themselves. You may also consider purchasing a pair of light gloves or mittens that they can wear at night or around the house to prevent scratching and further irritating skin. Keeping the skin moist can also help. You can do this by using ointments such as petroleum jelly, creams, or lotions 2-3 times a day. Any moisturizers used should be free of alcohol, dyes, fragrances and other chemicals that could harm or irritate the skin.
Avoid anything that seems to make your symptoms worse. This may include but is not limited to:
- Foods such as dairy, peanuts, eggs, wheat, etc.
- Irritants such as wool
- Strong chemicals
- Strong soaps, detergents, lotions, solvents, anything with a fragrance, or that comes in contact with the skin or clothing you may wear.
- Sudden changes in temperature. Sweating can make condition worse.
- Sudden changes in stress. This causes fluctuations in hormones and leads to more outbreaks.
- Any kind of triggers that cause allergy symptoms or allergic reactions.
As far as preventing eczema goes, it is always best to keep water contact as brief as possible and use less soap than usual when washing or bathing. Taking short, cooler baths or showers may also help. Never take really hot showers, as this will irritate the skin and make outbreaks worse. Do not rub or scrub your skin with a towel. Instead pat the skin dry gently with a soft towel. After bathing it is important to apply some type of moisturizer, lubricant, lotion, or ointment while the skin is still damp. This helps trap moisture in the skin and helps prevent dryness and irritation. Studies have shown that when babies breastfeed they are less likely to get eczema. Controlling stress, anxiety, and depression can also help prevent eczema.
Contact your dermatologist or health care provider if the following occurs:
- Eczema doesn’t seem to respond to moisturizers, medications or avoiding allergens
- Symptoms worsen or treatment becomes ineffective
- Any signs of infection. (Fever, pain, redness)
