Eczema
What is eczema?
Eczema encompasses a group of skin conditions that cause the skin to become red, irritated, scaly and itchy to varying degrees. Eczema can be divided according to whether it is atopic eczema or contact eczema. In the first case it is characterized by the presence of scaly and reddish lesions, mainly located in the flexures of the extremities and is usually associated with allergic processes such as asthma, urticaria or allergic rhinitis, together with dry skin. Contact eczema appears in the form of scaly plaques on the skin surface caused by irritation of the skin by toxic substances or by an allergy to certain substances that have come into contact with the skin. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, an allergic condition that leaves the skin dry and itchy. It is very common, especially in infants and children.
What are the symptoms?
The skin lesions are formed by reddish, scaly plaques located on different parts of the body and associated with significant itching. In some cases, an inflammatory reaction may occur instead of the aforementioned plaques, with the presence of vesicles with serous content inside.
Causes of eczema or why it occurs
Factors that can cause eczema include other diseases, contact with irritants, allergies and individual genetic makeup. However, in each of them there is an alteration of the white blood cells, which leads to an abnormal immune reaction to substances outside the individual.
Can it be prevented?
The main measures to prevent the appearance of eczema include avoiding contact with substances that irritate the skin, using cotton clothing, wearing gloves during activities that involve prolonged contact with water or other irritating substances, using mild, fragrance-free soaps, not using hot water during baths, and limiting showers to cold and/or lukewarm water. In case of irritated skin, you should avoid activities that may increase sweating, since sweating increases skin irritation.
What is the treatment?
The recommended treatment for allergic contact eczema will be, mainly, to avoid surrounding oneself with what causes the allergy and to avoid scratching the rash with the application of cold compresses. In patients with atopic eczema, the foods that produce it will be suppressed and the infectious process will be treated.
Once the triggering agent has been detected and eliminated, corticosteroid drugs, antihistamines, moisturizing creams and antibiotics are recommended in case of bacterial superinfection. In patients with irritative allergic eczema, the affected areas should be protected and gloves should be used for household chores.
Despite the disappearance of the eczema, it is recommended to continue with the indicated treatment for a few more days.