Eczema is a skin condition which is characterized by rough, cracked, red, itchy and inflamed skin. Sometimes it can also cause blisters. Eczema is also known as atopic dermatitis. It is a severe condition which starts during infancy and can go on throughout childhood. While some people may outgrow this condition, the rest might have it till adulthood.

Causes of Eczema:
1. Irritants- Certain irritants found in vegetables, meats, juices extracted from fresh fruits, disinfectants, shampoos, detergents and soaps can cause eczema.
2. Allergens- Dandruff, mold, pollens, pets and dust mites can also contribute to Eczema.
3. Microbes- Certain bacteria such as Staphylococcus Aureus, fungi and viruses can also cause eczema
4. Food products- Many people are allergic to food products such as wheat, soy products, seeds, nuts, eggs and dairy products. This might contribute to Eczema.
5. Stress- This doesn t cause eczema but can aggravate the symptoms of it.
6. Hormones- Women usually experience worsening of Eczema during certain stages of their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.

Symptoms of eczema in infants and children:
1. Rashes appearing on the cheeks and scalp
2. Rashes which bubble up before fluid discharge
3. Rashes which cause itchiness and lead to disturbed sleeping; continuous scratching and rubbing can result in skin infections
4. Rashes which can appear behind the creases of the knees and the elbows; these rashes are also common on the legs, creases of the buttocks, ankles, wrists and neck.

Symptoms of Eczema in adults:
1. Rashes on the nape of the neck
2. Rashes on the eyes, face and neck
3. Rashes that can cause extremely dry skin
4. Extreme discomfort caused due to itching
5. Scaly skin caused due to rashes
6. Rashes which can result in skin infections
7. Lichenification, a condition wherein the rashes thicken and develop knots, is also a possibility.

How is Eczema treated?
1. Topical ointments and corticosteroid creams- These are anti-inflammatory medications which relieve symptoms of eczema such as itchiness and skin inflammation.
2. Antibiotics- These are usually prescribed if there is any underlying bacterial skin infection.
3. Antihistamines- These mainly reduce scratching at night. In some cases, it can also cause drowsiness.
4. Topical calcineurin inhibitors- This is a drug that suppresses activities of the immune system. It helps to prevent flare-ups and decrease inflammation.
5. Barrier repair moisturizers- These types of moisturizers repair the skin and reduce water loss from the skin.

Eczema - 5 Ways It Can Be Treated!

Eczema of the scalp, which results in itching, flaking, or crusting of the scalp, is called scalp peeling or is commonly referred to as  dandruff . This condition causes increased shedding of normal scalp skin cells. Dandruff may also be caused by a fungal infection, other than just dehydration of the scalp.

The causes of an extremely dry scalp, thereby causing dandruff or even bigger flakes falling from the head onto shoulders and clothes, may be due to scalp psoriasis, eczema, poor nutrition, generalized dehydration, exposure to too much direct heat, and using too much of shampoo.

The three types of dandruff that need to be treated are those resulting from fungal growth, dry scalp and the one resulting from product build-up.

Fungal growth: This kind of dandruff is a chronic condition, caused by increased oil content on the scalp or an off-balance pH of the scalp. It may also be due to poor cleansing habits, or even an allergic reaction to the hair products one uses. Try switching shampoos, conditioners, or styling products to sulfate-free formulas to cure this condition.
Dry scalp: Sometimes, the skin of the scalp is literally so parched and dry that it is flaky and falls away like snakeskin. People with this kind of dandruff usually have drier hair and notice a tightness in their scalp. To treat dry-scalp dandruff, it is wise to indulge one s hair with moisturizing and hydrating shampoos, cut down on or space out harsh chemical treatments like relaxers, permanents, or dyes, and take in more moisture from the inside - drink at least 8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day, and your skin (including your scalp) will show you results that you want. Eliminating sulfates from your shampoos or other hair care products will also help with dry scalp, since these ingredients help strip away natural oils. Brushing hair or massaging the scalp - either with bare fingertips or a few drops of oil - is another great treatment, since massage helps stimulate circulation and bring blood, nutrients, and oxygen to the scalp and hair.
Product buildup: The most common type of dandruff is due to product buildup. This is what happens when people with otherwise healthy manes and scalps use too many styling products, such as layering gels, hair serum, hairspray, wrap lotions, scalp oils, heat-protecting serum, and so on. Dandruff caused by product buildup usually looks more like small clumps or balls of dirt. It may have a brownish color, since all those products attract and trap plenty of dirt and sweat. Product-buildup dandruff also tends to appear sporadically, only when hair is in need of a wash, whereas other types of dandruff show up more quickly and regularly.
To treat this kind of dandruff, one should wash hair more often or simply aim for using minimum chemical-rich hair products. 

Scalp Peeling - It Can Be Of 3 Different Types?

Atopic Dermatitis is a specific type of eczema which occurs when the epidermal layer of the skin is affected by eczema causing bacteria and other microorganisms. These eczemas are treatable and homeopathy finds a simple and natural solution to this disease. It not only helps to contain the disease from spreading it to other parts of the body but also helps in curing it of the root itself. There are some quick and effective remedies towards atopic dermatitis through homeopathy. Some of these are explained below.

Antimonium Crudum: People who have eczema which manifests as thick and hard boils are often given this medicine. In fact, it is administered both to children and the elder people. It has been seen that those who show symptoms of irritability in their behavior, get angry very soon and are most likely to be left alone, are the ones who are given this treatment to cure their eczema.
Arsenicum: Sometimes eczema is formed where boils turn thick and hard and have pus oozing out of it. For such skin infections, Arsenicum is the most widely used medicine that the homeopathic practitioners rely on. People who face such kinds of skin diseases are often seen to be depressed or melancholic in their lives. Thus, their mental feelings are often manifested in the form of eczema on their body.
Calcarea Carb: Eczema not only occurs on the body but also on the scalp. There are a few kinds of infections which have their roots on the scalp and then it starts spreading all over the face. For such kinds of infection, Calcarea Carb is the best form of homeopathic medicine which can be administered. In fact, patients with this problem are mostly children.
Graphites: Seems to be a very powerful and effective medicine against eczema which resembles ars. It is given to those patients whose skin becomes very hard and rough and there seems to be pus formation within the infection. Eruptions may be occurring in the eyes, behind the ears, and on the cheeks. Such infections are treatable with graphites.
Thus, if you are showing signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis, then you should immediately consult your nearest homeopathic practitioner and get the proper medicine prescribed for yourself. Eczema would only spread and cause irritation in the skin if not timely treated and homeopathy offers one of the best types of treatments for this purpose.

Homeopathic Treatment For Atopic Dermatitis!

Also known as contact dermatitis or contact eczema, allergic eczema is a condition wherein one experience symptoms of skin rash on coming in contact with an allergen. Other symptoms include a burning sensation in the eyes, coughing and a runny nose.

Causes-

This condition is caused when you come in contact with an allergen. Some common triggers that cause your immune system to react in this manner are:

Perfumes in cosmetics

Hair dyes

Metals such as nickel found in jewelry

Latex based products

Chemicals present in soaps and other cleansing agents

Certain antibiotic creams and lotions

Adhesives

Symptoms-

With allergic eczema, the most common symptoms include itching and pain around the affected area, and tender skin. Inflammation and dry skin are some other common symptoms that one may experience. Pus-filled red bumps are common occurrences along with this disorder. The skin may start to thicken and turn scaly. The symptoms may show up when one is exposed to sunlight.

Treatments-

The treatment for this disorder begins after a thorough diagnosis of the symptoms. Based on how severe the symptoms are, the treatment is prescribed accordingly. The first step is usually to wash the affected area with warm water to wash away the allergens. In case of mild symptoms, you may not need any treatment. It is also advised to use apply moisturizing cream to maintain hydration of the skin. To reduce inflammation and itching, use of corticosteroid creams is recommended.

In case of severe symptoms, strong corticosteroid pills may be prescribed.

If the treatments are carried out properly, the symptoms tend to clear up within 15-20 days. However, it is important to remember that the condition may erupt again if you come in contact with the allergen once more. Thus identification of the allergen is very important for long-term treatment and preventive measures. By seeing an allergist contact dermatitis can be ruled out by doing an Allergy Patch Testing.

Allergic Eczema: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

What Causes Eczema? Ways to Prevent Eczema Outbreaks

A skin inflammation, eczema, also known as atopic eczema, refers to the changes that occur in the upper skin layer. These skin changes can be thickened and cracked skin, skin redness, crusting of the affected area and swollen raw skin, among others. The exact cause of this skin condition is not yet known but a mix of factors have been found to be behind this health problem.

CAUSES :

The factors that play a role in causing eczema are:

- Dry skin brings down your skin's ability to fend off irritants as well as allergy causing substances from entering your skin, resulting in an inflammatory condition.

- Genetics is also one of the factors that may affect the proper functioning of your skin as a barrier against harmful substances. Therefore, if either one of the parent or both suffers from the condition, it is very likely that their children too will suffer from it.

- Abnormal functioning of your body's immune system can also lead to this skin condition. This is because it's your body's immune system that fights off infections as well as harmful intruders.

- The presence of the bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, which brings about sweat buildup, inflames the skin considerably, leading to this condition.

- Even environmental factors like pollen, cigarette smoke lead to the flaring of eczema.

How can you prevent an eczema outbreak?

It is very common for this skin condition to flare-up from time to time. But you can avoid such outbreaks or reduce their severity by following these very simple ways:

- Keep your skin well-moisturized so that it doesn't dry out causing further irritation.

- Sudden changes in temperature can cause the skin condition to break out. So, when the weather is hot, keep yourself cool but during cold weather, use a humidifier to prevent the skin from drying out.

- Keep sweating in check as it can cause an outbreak very easily

- Avoid the use of harsh detergents and soaps, woolen materials as well as the consumption of foods that may lead to flare-ups



What Causes Eczema? Ways to Prevent Eczema Outbreaks

Eczema is a skin condition marked by eruptions that are often pus filled boils and can be of many kinds. One of the kinds of eczema is also known as Atopic Dermatitis. Before treating Atopic Eczema it is always good to take an opinion of a Dermatologist, as the skin of Atopic patients is sensitive and not all home remedies may suit everyone. It is known to aggravate during cold and biting months of winter and can lead to dryness and scaly patches. It is commonly found in patients who are young children and babies. The flare up can also relapse again. Reddish brown patches and oozing boils characterize this skin ailment. It is mostly found on the face, scalp, knees and elbows.

Let us look at the natural ways in which it can be treated effectively:



Oil Massages: Atopic Eczema is usually characterized by severe dryness, which can be fixed with the help of coconut oil and olive oil massages. Sunflower seed oil and others like camomile, chickweed, licorice and thyme can help in bringing down the inflammation by soothing the area and removing the dryness to a great extent. These oils also have antibacterial properties which can help in treating the eczema in an efficient manner. Further, green tea, primrose oil, aromatherapy and other such methods can also be used to soothe the skin and treat the condition.
Probiotics and other Essentials: It is important to get a good dose of Omega-3 oils as well as other essentials like probiotics and flavonoids that are contained in food like green and leafy vegetables, dairy products, fish and others. These elements can help in treating Atopic Eczema in a natural manner.
Vitamins: Eating the right food can help in removing painful symptoms to a great degree. One can turn to the best vitamin d supplement that will supply precious Vitamin D to the body and help the skin become clear. Vitamin D can also be found in green vegetables, fish and dry fruits like figs and almonds.
Lifestyle Changes: There are other ways of treating this condition. One of the methods includes making lifestyle changes like using deep breathing and meditative techniques that can bring the stress level down so that the flare up does not happen and the immune system continues to function properly. Also, patients would be advised to use a cold compress every night as this is when the itching increases by leaps and bounds. The use of oat meal baths with baking soda can also help.
Aloe Vera Gel: The soothing and healing properties of Aloe Vera are well known. One can use the gel of this herb to bring down the painful inflammation as well.
Healthy drinks: Green tea usage can be found efficient in treating eczema, according to many pieces of research. Apart from consuming green tea, there are many other healthy drinks which you must consume if you are suffering from eczema.
There are various ways to deal with Atopic Eczema and hygiene is one of the top methods along with a good lifestyle.

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