Eczema/Dermatitis
A group of skin conditions which can affect all age groups. The severity can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding.
Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, eczema is not contagious. With treatment the inflammation of eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care.
The causes of eczema are many and varied, and depend on the particular type of eczema that a person has. Atopic eczema is thought to be a hereditary condition, being genetically linked. It is proposed that people with atopic eczema are sensitive to allergens in the environment which are harmless to others. In atopy there is an excessive reaction by the immune system producing inflamed, irritated and sore skin.
Associated atopic conditions include asthma and hayfever. Other types of eczema are caused by irritants such as chemicals and detergents, allergens such as nickel, and yeast growths. In later years eczema can be caused by a blood circulatory problems in the legs. The causes of certain types of eczema remain to be explained, though links with environmental factors and stress are being explored.
There is currently no cure for eczema though research continues to shed new light on the condition. However, there are many ways to minimise the discomfort and distress which eczema can bring, the foundation of which is an effective skin care routine.
Reducing the itch
for children in particular, the itchiness of eczema can be very distressing. There are many methods of reducing the itchiness of the skin and minimising the damage from scratching. Cotton clothing and bedding keep the skin cool and allow it to breathe, whereas synthetic fabrics and wool can irritate. The use of a non-biological washing powder and avoidance of fabric softeners, can also help to reduce the itchiness of the skin. Children’s nails should be kept short. During the day, distraction is often the best way of reducing the amount of scratching. At night-time, cotton mittens over children’s hands can be helpful in reducing damage to the skin occurring during sleep.
There are no guarantees that a child will grow out of eczema. However, research has shown that 60-70% of children are virtually clear of the condition by the time they reach their mid-teens.
Dermatitis is a broad term used to describe any type of inflammation of the skin. There are many types of dermatitis including atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis1.
The inflammation that occurs to the skin can produce these symptoms: flaking, scaling, itching, thickening, weeping and crusting. The main contributing factors to the development of dermatitis are hypochlorhydria, allergies and stress1.
Eczema and dermatitis are often used interchangeably in text, but eczema is characterised by reddening of the skin, vesicle formation that may lead to weeping and crusting and it is usually from an endogenous cause.
Eczema is very difficult to treat, but food allergy is the first thing to investigate. All people with eczema should be on a gluten free, dairy free and sugar free diet (no peanuts either!). SAFE recommends a salicylate free diet, as well. This not only involves the nightshade family of vegetables, but also other foods.
Les, aged 60 from Whanganui, suffered with cronic Eczema all his life and tried everything availalble. After changing his diet, his condition dramitcally impoved within 6-12 weeks. Les now lives a more contentented life and no longer is a suffers with this condition.
If you would like to obtain an Eczema Diet Sheet, please send a self addressed envelope and $5.00 to Beauty on Bel Air, P.O. Box 13124, Onehunga 1061, Auckland.
