Your Guide to Eczema: Causes, Symptoms, Types, and Treatment
Managing your skin can be difficult if you have a condition like eczema. You can experience dry, itchy skin with rashes and inflammation. Your epidermis can exhibit it in various forms. But not every itchy skin can be linked to eczema. Eczema can flare upon exposure to an allergen or irritant, though its exact causes are still being studied.
Read ahead to learn about eczema, its types, key symptoms, and how to spot the early warning signs. We will also mention a skincare routine that strengthens your skin's barrier and manages eczema symptoms.
What is Eczema
Eczema is a common skin condition that makes your skin dry, bumpy, and itchy. It's a kind of dermatitis, a range of skin disorders causing redness and irritation. Eczema can make your skin prone to itching and excessive dryness, regardless of the part it has affected. It can appear anywhere on the surface, causing mild to severe irritation. Your skin can crack or ooze.
What Causes Eczema
The underlying factors contributing to eczema are still under research. But certainly, some potential causes could increase the chances, including a compromised skin barrier, an overactive immune system, and genetic susceptibility. Moreover, individuals with allergies and asthma are more likely to develop eczema at some stage in their lives.
Both external and internal factors can trigger eczema, according to the National Health Service (NHS). In many cases, emotional triggers affect this skin condition to a large extent. People with poor mental health can experience more frequent flare-ups.
Exposure to environmental irritants like pollutants, smoke, and harsh weather conditions can affect eczema. Staying in dry air conditions can make your skin even drier and itchy, causing your skin to struggle more. Moreover, high heat and humidity causing sweat may also provoke eczema symptoms.
Symptoms of Eczema
Eczema may appear differently to different individuals. Also, it may vary on the different parts of the body. In general, skin suffering from eczema looks rough, scaly, and red, and it often tightens with patches. Patches are common on body parts with folds like knees and elbows. Some people with severe eczema might show mild symptoms.
Other symptoms include;
- Bumps
- Thickness of the affected area
- Crusting skin
- Rashes
Common Types of Eczema
Eczema is a broad spectrum consisting of different types. Understanding the types can help you pinpoint the early signs, treatment options, and management strategies.
Atopic Dermatitis
This is the most common form of eczema affecting a large population worldwide. Commonly beginning in early childhood, conditions like asthma and hay fever can be the strongest contributors. When people mention "eczema", this is what they typically mean. According to the Allergy & Asthma Network, 1% to 3% of adults suffer from atopic dermatitis globally.
Contact Dermatitis
If your skin is prone to developing a rash easily, you might get contact dermatitis at some point in your life. It can set off an allergy or reaction. There are two kinds of contact dermatitis:
Allergic Dermatitis: This occurs when your skin encounters something you're allergic to. From sunlight to metals like nickel, poison ivy and cosmetics can trigger reactions.
Irritant Dermatitis: A more prevalent form and can often be induced by industrial chemicals like solvents, soaps and detergents.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
This type of eczema occurs in the body parts featuring oil glands. Seborrheic dermatitis is associated with other skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and psoriasis. If it appears on your scalp, it is referred to as dandruff.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
People suffering from dyshidrotic eczema can experience little blisters on the sides of their fingers, palms, and soles of their feet. This is an uncommon type.
Stasis Dermatitis
It is a type heavily affected by day-to-day life practices, including a sedentary lifestyle and excess body weight. People with bad blood flow may struggle with this one.
Nummular Eczema
Also called discoid eczema, this category usually affects the torso, arms, hands, and legs. Oval lesions can be seen, followed by redness and oozing fluid, which can be painful and itchy.
Neurodermatitis
Mental health issues, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, could bring this about. If you are already suffering from a type of eczema or have very dry skin, this can increase the chances of manifesting neurodermatitis. In this type, one can notice single or double intense patches on the arms, legs, or the back of the knee.
How to Treat Eczema
It is important to be cautious when you have overly dry or sensitive skin. Since eczema is a common condition. Several medications are available, from over-the-counter to inhibitors. These can relieve the symptoms. Let's break them down further;
- Antihistamines for Eczema: Eczema automatically increases the chances of allergic reactions. It might worsen your skin condition, causing it to itch more. Antihistamines can aid the itching while soothing the inflammation.
- Corticosteroid-Based Formulations: Corticosteroid gels, creams, or ointment can help ease the discomfort and provide a sense of relief to inflammation. If you are experiencing a stubborn rash, your doctor may recommend a high-strength solution. For mild to moderate eczema conditions, OTC hydrocortisone is generally prescribed.
- Phototherapy with Ultraviolet Light: Doctors usually use a narrow-band UVB light, while in some cases, UVA light is preferred. The procedure lasts a few seconds to minutes. If your eczema is moderate to severe, phototherapy can aid inflammation and associated itching.
- Topical calcineurin inhibitors: These inhibitors can be availed as prescription-only ointments and help to reduce inflammation and the immune system's response. A broad-spectrum SPF is highly recommended if you are taking this option as they can increase your skin's sensitivity to light.
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Barrier-strengthening Moisturisers: Repairing your barrier helps combat eczema. With a strong barrier, your skin can lock in more moisture, get rid of dryness and redness, and fix damage.
Tips & Precautions for Eczema-Prone Skin
The most straightforward and cherished tip would be to "pamper your skin a lot." If you identify the early symptoms of eczema, you can take note of the following suggestions to get the most out of your medication;
- Moisturise consistently. Applying a thick barrier repair cream would help. Go for the fragrance-free formulas, as perfumes can worsen the condition. Moisturisers with oils can be used at night for moisture locking and better relief.
- Understand your skin and triggers. You can manage eczema better if you are aware of your skin type and what it reacts to. This helps you to avoid reactions.
- Avoid harsh environments. Getting exposed to too much heat or cold has the potential to spark a reaction. Sweaty skin can lead to itching and inflammation. Spending time in cold, dry air can strip off the moisture from your skin.
- Don't bathe with scrubs or rub too hard on the skin. This can further irritate your condition. You can pat the skin dry gently with a soft towel. Moreover, avoid over-washing your hands.
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Use eczema-friendly skincare products like cleansers, serums, and moisturisers infused with calming and soothing ingredients. DRSQ Skincare has a range of formulations made for sensitive, eczema-prone skin.
Is Eczema Contagious
No, you cannot catch eczema from someone else suffering from the condition. It is non-contagious and does not spread through air or touch. While symptoms may look severe, including rashes and itching, they do not get transmitted to others.
Can Stress Cause Eczema
Stress can be a potential trigger for eczema flare-ups. It can weaken your immune system, leading to increased inflammation and itching. Moreover, stress can signal your body to release a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol can disrupt your skin's barrier, which can make your skin more prone to dryness and irritation.
Skincare Products for Eczema-Prone Skin
You might have to visit a doctor to learn about what type of eczema you have, which is the appropriate medication, and how to manage it further. Meanwhile, using skincare made with skin-soothing ingredients may support your skin's recovery.
DRSQ provides skincare options that work well for eczema-prone skin;
This is an emollient-enriched cleanser with antioxidants like vitamins A, B, C, and E and rosemary and anti-inflammatories such as chamomile, aloe vera, and gotu kala extract. Use it as a makeup remover or your daily facial cleanser to get hydrated, plump, and nourished skin. It restores the skin barrier and soothes inflammation.
Infused with 10% niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, this serum induces deep hydration while addressing immune-derived inflammation, itching and redness.
Hydracalm calms and soothes the inflamed skin, diminishing redness and burning sensation. It uses acetyl tetrapeptide-2 biomimetic peptide, milk thistle, and ultra-low weight hyaluronic acid to help with scaling and itching associated with seborrheic dermatitis.
If you are looking for a calming moisturiser with SPF, Skin Protect is the one. It is a lightweight moisturiser with niacinamide, d-panthenol, 5% zinc oxide, and antioxidants to hydrate and protect the skin against UVA and UVB rays.
What You Need to Remember
Eczema is a non-contagious skin condition often linked to an overactive immune system and genetics, but all factors remain unclear. Major triggers include harsh soaps, stress, and weather changes. Managing eczema can be easy if you rely on eczema-friendly skincare products containing anti-inflammatories, take the necessary precautions, and see the doctor if required.
References:
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- National Eczema Association
- Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
- Bieber, T. (2018). Atopic Dermatitis. New England Journal of Medicine, 358(14), 1483-1494
- Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 151(1), 144-153.e7
- A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 151(1), 186-199.e22