Understanding and Dealing With Eczema

czema can take many forms, some of which are more common in women than men, and all of which are more distressing for women as society expects us to have perfect skin and is more forgiving of imperfections in men. Understanding and dealing with eczema is the key to regaining confidence and eventually getting rid of the condition, this report should help you on the way.

Medical science is still trying to ascertain why eczema affects some people and not others although a genetic trait has been suggested; whether this is the reason or some outside influence, remains a mystery. Sufferers have to endure a condition that leaves patches of dry itchy skin that looks inflamed. Small crusty blisters may also be present in the affected areas.

The most common type is known generally as atopic eczema; some are even specific to certain areas of the body but one common problem among all of them is itching. Unfortunately, with atopic eczema, scratching these affected areas aggravates the condition more even though it does bring temporary relief from the itching. People who suffer with this also have to stay clear of many everyday substances because using those makes the condition far worse; the skin can easily become irritated by detergents, soap and even cosmetics for example.

When small children suffer with this it often goes unnoticed for a while as the affected patches are under the skin. Eczema sufferers can also have rashes just like any of us; if this ‘itchiness’ is not present in a person who suffers with the condition then it is unlikely to be a symptom of it. Eczema patients are given creams and lotions for example to use when they have flare-ups but if they use the treatment on some itchy skin where there is a rash and if the itching is helped but the rash remains it is more than likely that the rash has nothing to do with the itch.

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 redness seen in the rash is the result of increased blood flow in the area, sometimes caused by the scratching.

The reason the skin can suddenly flare up with eczema and become inflamed is complex because many factors can be involved; it can also flare up if your skin gets infected by a bacteria. Small blisters are quite common around the affected area and sometimes these blisters are large; a bacterial infection or a condition of your particular skin type many be the cause of this. This is a situation that needs to be monitored as the blisters contain fluids; blisters are likely to become infected if broken which will just exacerbate the condition further.