Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a condition that causes the skin to become dry, bumpy, and itchy.
Eczema in itself doesn’t affect your health and internal body system beyond the skin; neither is it contagious. However, it can be pretty unsightly, and you might want to get rid of it as fast as possible. While you may think that there isn’t a possible solution for it, know that treatments help manage the symptoms.
But before going into the prevention and treatment, let’s first understand a few things about the skin condition.
What causes eczema?
Atopic dermatitis results from a combination of factors, including genetics, environment, the immune system, and stress.
For instance, your immune system may overreact to minor irritants and allergens, and this overreaction may lead to inflammation.
Furthermore, you are at risk of eczema if your family has a history of asthma, dermatitis, or allergy. Other factors that lead to the condition are contact with specific fabric, soaps, air pollutants, and other environmental irritants.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Symptoms include:
- Itchiness
- Red rashes and bumps
- Scaly, dry skin
- Swelling and crusting on the skin.
Typically, people living with allergy, stress, asthma, and depression are at risk of atopic dermatitis. These things do not cause the condition but just happen to occur concurrently.
Can eczema be cured?
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, life-long condition that cannot be cured. However, treatment options alleviate the symptoms by addressing the itchy and dry skin.
Even when treatment is successful, the symptoms may pop up once in a while.
How can you prevent it?
Complete prevention may not be possible if you’re at risk of the disease.
However, careful avoidance of triggers can help prevent the symptoms from popping up frequently. Those triggers may be stress, exposure to allergens and irritants, etc.
What are the treatment options?
Below are some ways to treat eczema:
Home/lifestyle remedies
- Moisturize your skin regularly. Find a moisturizer suitable for your skin type and apply it at least twice daily to prevent dryness.
- Apply ointment. There are ointments designed to treat eczema, such as manuka honey. All you’ve to do is apply the natural product topically to the affected area twice a day to relieve the itch and eliminate the rash.
- Use allergy medication. If you’re allergic, taking prescription medicines for allergy can help prevent flare-ups.
- Don’t scratch the affected area. Apply a bandage to prevent you from doing so. The dressing also protects the area from infection.
- Avoid harsh soaps and fragrances. If you’re prone to atopic dermatitis, it is wise to stay off perfumes. Use non-alkaline superfatted soaps and rinse well after bathing.
- Avoid Irritation: Avoid rough and itchy clothes as these may cause skin problems and irritation.
- Stay-off Stress: Manage stress and anxiety as quickly as possible.
Clinical treatment
If your atopic dermatitis gets worse, your doctor can prescribe corticosteroid creams that help repair the skin. They will also likely prescribe antibiotic drugs to fight off bacterial infection.
Treatment for babies
Atopic dermatitis can start from infanthood, so you want to keep your baby off irritants as well as hot and humid temperatures. Ensure you lubricate your baby’s skin with oils or ointments.
The Bottom line
Eczema can make you feel bad about your skin and reduce your perception of self beauty. But you can start following the measures stated above so you can feel great again.
