What is Eczema?
As the cause of eczema is still not fully understood it makes dealing with the condition a problem as some believe that genetic factors are involved,the genetic link remains to be proved. Irrespective of the cause, sufferers all have one thing in common, Some unfortunate victims exhibit other symptoms including blistering and skin that appears to be ‘crusty’.
The most common type is known generally as atopic eczema,however, all forms share one main symptom: that of severe itching. Atopic eczema brings with increased itching compare to other forms but is relieved when the sufferer scratches, People who suffer with this also have to stay clear of many everyday substances because using those makes the condition far worse, substances such as cosmetics, soaps and detergents products are just a few they must avoid if they do not wish flare-ups.
When small children suffer with this it often goes unnoticed for a while as the affected patches are under the skin. There are occasions where a person with eczema can have a rash but it is not itchy,in these situations it is not the disorder causing the problem as itching is the one consistent factor with the condition. If the rash itches and reacts well to eczema treatment but the rash does not disappear then there is a good chance the rash is unrelated to the itchy feeling.
Because itching is a symptom in many problems related to the skin, including this skin disorder, this is not the basis of diagnosing the condition. Eczema always has a rash and this is part of the condition but there is still no explanation as to what causes the itching. The blood flow in the area affected is the reason the rash looks so red and this can be made worse when the same area or areas are scratched by the sufferer. Apart from making the eczema worse when the sufferer scratches, it might also damage the delicate skin surface,one area that causes concern is where there is a bacterial infection which can easily be the result of scratching sensitive skin. Small blisters are quite common around the affected area and sometimes these blisters are large,an infection or just a genetic trait of the sufferer could be the reasons for this. There is a need to be careful with these blisters as they contain fluid, often pus,great care is required not to make matters worse (by scratching) than they already are.
Tags: