Eczema

What is eczema?

Eczema or dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by itching, redness, swelling and water filled lesions in early stages and itchy, dark thickened skin in later stages.

What causes eczema?

The exact cause of eczema isn’t known. It may be caused or made worse by the following:

• Soaps, laundry detergents and perfumes. Scratchy clothes (like wool) can also irritate the skin.
• Allergens like pollens, pet hair or dander, food, feathers and dust mites.
• During cold weather skin can become dry and itchy.
• Heat and sweating can make the itching worse.
• Emotional stress can cause the face and body to get itchy, red and hot.

What is the treatment for eczema?

Any contact with allergic or irritant substances to be strictly avoided.
Barriers like thick gloves or foot wear and barrier creams are to be used if the contact with allergic substances is inevitable.
Liberal use of moisturizers.
Topical steroid and topical antibiotics treatment if there is superimposed infection.
If the lesions are very thick, intralesional injections are given.