Eczema Facts and Statistics
Eczema:
Skin inflammation, usually causing itching and sometimes accompanied by scaling or blisters, some forms known as dermatitis, sometimes caused by an allergy, often occurs for no known reason, fluid-filled blisters that weep, ooze, and crust over, causes - immune system irritation, allergy, vitamin and mineral deficiencies,
atopic eczema - chronic, superficial inflamation, occurs in people who have an inhertied tendency towar allergy, they, or members of their family, may also have other allergies, such as asthma or allergic rhinitis, common in babies, often appears between the ages of 2-18 months, mild but intensely itchy rash usually on the face, in the inner creases of the elbows, and behind the knees, skin scales in these areas, small red pimples may appear, as baby scratchs pimples may weep and form large weeping areas which may become infected, Treatment - mild cases (applying emollients such as petroleum jelly, helps keep skin in infected area soft), severe cases - corticosteroid ointments, antibiotic drugs for infection, antihistamines to reduce itching esp. if keeping baby awake at night, important to keep the baby from getting too hot, baby should only wear cotton clothing which is nonirritating and absorbent, this type often clears as the child grows older, although may come and go for several years before disappearing finally, most outgrow by time reach puberty
nummular eczema - occurs in adults, circular, itchy, scaling patches anywhere on the skin, similar to those of the funal infection ringworm, corticosteroid ointments applied to skin, round lesions appear on the limbs
hand eczema - results from irritation bu substances such as detergents, househodl cleaners, dishwashing liquid, may occur for no reason, itchy blisters up to 1 inch across develop, usually on the palms, hands may be covered with scales and cracks, usually improves when wear rubber gloves, pat hands dry after washing, apply unscented hand cream several times per day, if severe corticosteroids, antibiotics
Stasis Dermatitis - people with varicose veins, skin on legs becomes irritated, inflamed, discolored, swelling of the legs (compression stockings or bandages), mild corticosteroid for temp. relief
Facts and stats - affects 2-7% of the population, allergic disorder because in patients with the disease serum IgE levels are elevated, all have positive allergy tests, family history of eczema, many eventually develop hay fever and/or asthma, most improve with a diet that eliminated common food allergens
Abnormalities of the skin in eczema patients - higher tendency to itch, dry, thickened skin that has decreased water holding capactiy, increased tendency to thickening of the skin in response to rubbing and scratching, tendency of the skin to be overgrown by bacteria
immune system - specialized white blood cells known as mast vells from eczema patients have abnormalities that cause them to release higher amounts of histamine and other allergic compounds compared to people without eczema, histamine and allergic compounds cause the itching and inflammation, defect in the ability to kill bacteria, increased susceptibility to staph infections (potentially severe infections of the skin)
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