Causes

The Basics: What Every Eczema Patient Should Know

 

The Facts

The word eczema is derived from a Greek word meaning “to boil over,” which is a good description for the red, inflamed, itching patches that occur during flare-ups of the disease. Eczema is a general term for any type of dermatitis or inflammation of the skin. There are different types of eczema. The most common is called atopic dermatitis (AD).

AD falls into a category of diseases called atopic, a term originally used to describe the allergic conditions asthma and hay fever.

Education Resource Center: Eczema Is Common

Many people have atopic dermatitis (which is often called eczema). Eczema is an itchy, red rash. It can appear all over the body.

Education Resource Center: Eczema Basic Information

The word eczema comes from a Greek word that means to effervesce or bubble or boil over. Learning more about eczema will help you understand it. You will learn how to treat you or your childs symptoms and flares.

Eczema Quick Fact Sheet

Eczema is a general term for any type of dermatitis or “itchy rash”. There are several skin diseases that are eczemas; a partial list of eczemas includes: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis. All types of eczemas cause itching and redness and some will blister, weep or peel.

Dyshidrotic Eczema?

My daughter, age 3½, has recurring blistering on the bottom of her left foot. We have been to two dermatologists and they believe she has dyshidrotic eczema. She has nothing on her hands or her right foot, just the left foot. She was given a steroid cream called Cutivate that seems to help when the eczema flares up, but I did not get any information on possible prevention or things I can do to help.

Seborrheic Dermatitis?

Q: I have eczema all over my body, but I moved to a colder, dryer place and now I have dry, itchy, flaky skin on my scalp. I know it’s not dandruff. I tried using Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo, but it just made my skin even itchier. I thought about taking fish oil pills with Omega-3. What are your thoughts on that?

Eczema Linked to Gut Bacteria in Kids

Microarray analysis reveals marked intestinal microbiota aberrancy in infants having eczema compared to healthy children in at-risk for atopic disease

 
Background
Deviations in composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota in infancy have been associated with both the development and recurrence of atopic eczema. Thus, we decided to use a deep and global microarray-based method to characterize the diversity and temporal changes of the intestinal microbiota in infancy and to define specific bacterial signatures associated with eczema.

Fast Food Tied to Asthma, Eczema and Hay Fever in Kids

Study isn't conclusive, but it's another reason to make healthier choices, expert says

MONDAY, Jan. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Kids who eat fast food three or more times a week are likely to have more severe allergic reactions, a large new international study suggests.

These include bouts of asthma, eczema and hay fever (rhinitis). And although the study doesn't prove that those burgers, chicken snacks and fries cause these problems, the evidence of an association is compelling, researchers say.

"The study adds to a growing body of evidence of the possible harms of fast foods," said study

Researchers Discover Genetic Basis for Eczema

New Avenue to Therapies

Eczema or Atopic dermatitis (AD) start with an itchy skin rash, but left untreated, can flare up across the entire body. Most sufferers    develop symptoms as infants and it affects millions of adults around the world. There is no cure. 
 
Managing this chronic illness means applying moisturizing lotions and anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, which can have harmful side effects. A team led by Arup Indra, Associate Professor in the Dept.

Food Allergies? Pesticides in Tap Water Might be to Blame

Food allergies are on the rise, affecting 15 million Americans. And according to a new study published in the December 2012 issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), pesticides and tap water could be partially to blame.

The study reported that high levels of dichlorophenols, a chemical used in pesticides and to chlorinate water, when found in the human body, are associated with food allergies.

“Our research shows that high levels of dichlorophenol-containing pesticides can possibly weaken food

What causes a person to get eczema on his or her body?

Q:   What causes a person to get eczema on his or her body? How can the terrible itch be helped? Are they working on a cure for this awful stuff?

A:   Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema and has a genetic basis. Recently discovered genetic defects in the skin barrier seem to account for many, if not most, cases. The defective barrier allows chemical and physical irritants and bacterial toxins to trigger inflammation that causes redness and itching.

What is the best information I can provide my doctor with?

Q:  What is the best information I can provide my doctor when I have my appointment?

A:  Describe environmental factors (season, skin care products, antibiotics, etc.) that make your eczema better or worse.

New Research Fuels Greater Understanding of Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis in Children and Adolescents

BOSTON (Aug. 16, 2012)  Information presented at American Academy of Dermatology’s Summer Academy Meeting by Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, FAAD, a board-certified pediatric dermatologist, chief, division of pediatric and adolescent dermatology and professor of pediatrics and medicine (dermatology), Rady Children’s Hospital and University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.  Dr. Eichenfield is also a member of the National Eczema Association Scientific Advisory Committee.

OVERVIEW
For the millions of children and adolescents affected by chronic skin conditions such as atopic

Video: Atopic Dermatitis, Food Allergies, and National Guidelines Often Go Hand in Hand

National Eczema Association Scientific Advisory Committee Member Lawrence F. Eichenfield, MD, talks about atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and national guidelines in this informational video.

U.S. Eczema Prevalence Study of Children 17 and Younger

In this study, Tatyana E. Shaw, Gabriel P. Currie, Caroline W. Koudelka, and Eric L. Simpson of the Oregon Health & Sciences University, Department of Dermatology, calculated estimates of pediatric eczema population throughout the United States.

Parenting Children with Eczema: Beneath the Surface

Excerpted from a presentation by Joanna Hamilton, at the 2010 National Eczema Association Patient Conference. Mrs. Wyoming 2009, Joanna shares her experiences as a parent of children with eczema.

Blood Thiners & Quitting Smoking

I wanted to share my experience with eczema; I have had it for years on my left ear. I have been treated with many steroid creams, ear drops, lotions there was nothing left to do but live with it, I kept peeling the dry skin off, 10 days ago I had a stroke they found that I did not get enough blood to the left back part of my brain, so now I take blood thinners and I also quit smoking 10 days ago and my blood supply has improved to that area, within 3 days off being treated with blood thinners and stopped smoking my eczema has disappeared my skin feels completely normal, no more itching, red flaking skin.

Less Medication Resulted in No Eczema

I have had a continuing case of eczema for well over 20 years, from very severe in the early years to moderate and livable during recent years. I was also being treated for atrial fibrillation with digoxin (0.25 mg daily) and flecainide. About six months ago I was hospitalized for dehydration. My cardiologist stopped digoxin entirely and reduced my flecainide by a third. Within one day my eczema disappeared entirely and has not returned.

Arnold Katz
Torrance, California

Milk Allergies

I was born with eczema and have had it all my life. I had all the allergy tests, different salves, soaks, etc. None of the doctors I went to over the years could help me. When I was in my fifties I read an article in Redbook magazine about allergies and it said milk could be the culprit.

New Medicines?

Q: What are some of the new medicines that can be used for eczema? I have been using MimyX and/or clobetasol propionate ointment when flare-ups happen. Is there anything else that would help? The clobetasol is thinning my skin. What would be as good to treat the areas?

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