Many people may find that they undergo bouts of itchy red skin. This is very possibly a case of atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is more commonly known as eczema. This is a chronic condition which may disappear and go into remission for periods, but will come back and flare up.
People with eczema may find that they have incredibly dry skin. It can be very itchy. Red and brown patches of skin can appear. In many cases, raised bumps will form, which releases fluid as they get scratched and torn, then end up crusting over. The skin becomes very sensitive after being scratched and it can become thick and cracked. Essentially, atopic dermatitis is incredibly uncomfortable to the person who has it, and it can last forever! There are treatments to reduce the issues with eczema. Learn more about this troublesome condition and enhance your chances of reducing its effects.
Eczema is caused by a mutation in genes. Skin in areas is unable to protect from bacteria and allergens. It also won’t retain moisture. Therefore, when the skin is exposed to specific irritants, eczema can flare up. There’s a wide variety of triggers and irritants that can cause a flare up. Some of those triggers include:
These are only some of the many potential triggers for an outbreak of eczema. There are many different chemicals contained within household objects that can trigger an outbreak.
There are actually quite a few different conditions and problems that can occur when someone suffers from eczema. It’s these complications that turn eczema from a modest nuisance to serious problems. Many of the complications have to deal with breaking skin from scratching. Complications include:
There are several things that can be done to help prevent eczema flares from occurring as much as possible. The first step is proper moisturizing and avoiding losing moisture. Finding a good moisturizing cream and using it twice per day is a good start. Limiting showers and baths is also important. They should only take 10-15 minutes with warm water. Hot water can actually result in moisture leaving the skin. Gentle soaps, shampoos and body wash should be used to avoid triggering more issues. After showers, it’s smart to dry very carefully. Pat skin dry as opposed to rubbing it dry. This can keep eczema from becoming too much of an issue. A bleach bath is another way to help remove bacteria from the skin. Diluted bleach in a short bath can help reduce the risk of eczema related infections.
The most important aspect of prevention is limiting exposure to triggers. This can mean changing your diet and switching up your lifestyle choices. From there, speak with your doctor. They may be able to help identify triggers that are causing eczema flares.
