Eczema really is a common skin condition - the numbers speak for themselves: according to the National Eczema Society, one in five children and one in twelve adults in the UK have it. If you are one of them, you may be aware that eczema does not have a 'cure', but that it usually can be managed effectively.
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But why does eczema occur at all? And will your child suffer their whole life? This section explains about the symptoms, causes and triggers of eczema, examines how children and teenagers are affected and provides answers to some frequently-asked questions.
Eczema appears as sore, itchy, red patches on the skin, often with tiny blisters (also called vesicles). The rash usually affects the back of the knees, the creases of the elbows and the face and neck. Sometimes, in severe cases, it also appears on the torso.
The itching of eczema can be intense. Sufferers - especially young children - tend to scratch the inflamed patches. When scratching is hard enough to break the skin, the inflamed area may also become infected. In the long run, repeated scratching can lead to permanent skin thickening.
Eczema symptoms
• Dry, red, scaly rash, often on the face, neck, hands and creases of the limbs.
• Itching, often worse at night.
• Skin discolouration, with reddish to brown-gray patches, due to increased blood flow to inflamed areas.
• Weeping blisters.
• Redness, due to bacterial infection (usually staphylococcus).
• Thickening of the skin, due to repeated scratching.
Symptoms of eczema>>
Why does eczema occur?
Skin acts as a protective barrier for our bodies, keeping moisture in and infection and irritants out. Skin with eczema is less able to retain water. This allows gaps to open up between the skin cells and allergens and irritants to pass through more easily.
Because skin with eczema is prone to drying out and is easily damaged, it is more liable to get red, inflamed and itchy.
Triggers
No matter how well you look after your skin, there are some things that can cause a flare-up. By understanding your particular triggers, you can minimise their effect. Here are the most common:
Common Triggers
Soaps and perfumed bath or shower products
• Use emollient washes and bath oils designed for people with eczema.
Detergents and washing powders
• Use non-bio washing powder.
• Wear protective gloves when cleaning or washing up, preferably PVC and cotton-lined.
Central heating
• Keep rooms cool, particularly your bedroom.
Animal hair and dander
• Avoid contact with animals if possible.
• Wash your hands after contact with pets.
Woollen clothes, man-made fibres
• Avoid wearing woollen or man-made fibres
• Instead, wear smooth, soft cotton clothes and use cotton bed sheets.
Cold/hot weather
• Wear gloves in cold winter weather.
House dust mites
• Use a mattress protector and wash it regularly.
• Vacuum carpets regularly and wash curtains.
Illness is also a trigger, so keeping as healthy as possible helps.
Other triggers can be emotionally linked e.g. stress and anxiety. This means that flare-ups occur exactly when they are least welcome, such as during job interviews, weddings and other important dates. So try and relax - deep breathing techniques may help.
All about eczema>>
Teens with dry skin and eczema
Eczema is pretty common. In fact, around one in five children in the UK suffer from it. If your teenager is one of them, however mild or severe, you will know how it can affect their daily life. However, it is possible to manage their dry skin and atopic eczema, so that it doesn't rule their lives.
Keep on top of flare-ups
Read the section on causes to find out what can trigger flare-ups, but others that may affect your teenager are:
Harsh soaps and detergents
• Tell your teenager to avoid them.
Make-up or shaving foam and creams
• Test them on a little area of skin first.
• Discuss with their doctor or nurse which cosmetic products would be most suitable for your teenager.
Perfume, aftershave
• Suggest they spray a little on their clothes, rather than their skin.
Chlorine in swimming pools
• Avoid chlorinated pools, look for ozone- or UV-purified, salt-water or fresh-water alternatives.
• Make sure they apply emollients before and after swimming.
Other triggers can be emotionally linked - like when they suffer from stress at school,so try to help them stay relaxed.
Eczema in Teenagers>>
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