Eczema Treatment - About Skin Eczema and Eczema Cure

Eczema ( sounds excema) is a chronic skin condition that manifests with dry leathery skin areas, and intense itching which may lead to skin redness and inflammation. In severe cases eczema leads to light or dark skin patches, and blisters with oozing and crusting.

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What causes eczema?
In simple terms, Eczema is our skin's reaction to something that irritates it. It can be explained as a sort of long term allergic (or hypersensitive reaction) which leads to long term inflammation. This inflammation makes the skin become flaky, itchy and can cause the skin to thicken and have a leather like texture.

Food allergies, exposure to irritants in the environment, stress, and even temperature changes can trigger off eczema.

Baby Eczema
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, atopic eczema affects up to 30% of the US population and is particularly common in infants and young children. The good news is that according to Web MD most infants outgrow this condition by their second birthday and even in situations where the condition persists throughout life, the disease can be controlled in the majority of sufferers.

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Eczema in Adults
In adults, eczema can result from direct contact with irritants such as laundry soap, skin soap and cleaning products. Other irritants includes rubber, nickel in jewelry, perfume and weeds such as potion ivy. According to the Mayo clinic, once you are sensitized to an allergen, even a brief exposure or a small amount can cause dermatitis, which means that once you are sensitive to an allergen you typically have it for life.

For information about how to prepare for an appointment with your dermatologist follow this link.

Eczema treatment
Curing baby eczema should be fairly simple. Once the irritant is identified, your pediatrician will recommend alternatives to eliminate it from the child's diet or contact and prescribe a moisturizer that should resolve the symptoms.

A simple cure for baby eczema

My personal experience with baby eczema is that it will also respond well to a routine application of a saline pack on the child's skin twice daily.

This saline pack is very simple to make. Dilute 2 or 3 table spoons of salt in about a cup of water, let sit for about an hour in the fridge and then dip a clean wash cloth or cotton wool in the cold solution, remove excess water and apply it to the child's skin.

This method was recommended by a renown dermatologist and completely resolved my son's skin sensitivity to cold winter temperature in a matter of weeks.

Treatment of Adult Eczema
It is estimated that approximately 15% of the population suffers from eczema and this problem is on the increase due to pollution and exposure to allergens such as nickel and chrome.

Eczema usually flares up in winter and you can try to control it by applying moisturizers regularly, managing stress and avoiding harsh soap or irritants like wool.

Simple lifestyle changes to cure eczema
Hot water, frequent showers and harsh soap and cleansers will contribute to eczema.

Take these simple steps to control the problem:

- Avoid showering in hot water, taking frequent hot saunas and very hot baths and opt for a bath in warm water.

- Make frequent moisturizing part of your daily routine and protect your skin from harsh winter temperatures by using barrier creams such as Neutrogena.

- Eczema can also be triggered by food intolerance, and an overly aggressive laundry soap, or harsh skin soaps and cleansers, so a sudden onset of eczema could be eliminated by avoiding a harsh detergent and talking to your doctor to see if you have developed food intolerance.

Eczema ointments cures and natural remedies.

There are several over the counter ointments for eczema. One of the most recommended is usually the Aveno advance care range of products

Another source of relief from eczema is using products from Dove and Neutrogena which are generally milder on the skin.

Doctors will prescribe topical cortisone and non steroidal creams and ointments. Some examples include Hydrocortisone Cream USP 1%, Hydrocortisone Valerate Cream 0.2%, Triamcinolone Acetonide Ointment USP 0.1%, Cyclocort (Amcinonide) Ointment 0.1%, Absorbase (Eucerin equiv.), and Elidel.

Yet one should always follow the doctor's instructions when applying these creams as they can lighten/darken your skin and exposure to hydrocortisone for a long period might harm your skin in the long run.

The web is full of natural remedies against eczema include a vast array of oils, treatments and herbal remedies..

Natural cures.com offers several natural eczema treatments that can be fairly effective.

Another site that offers several natural eczema remedies is Shirley's wellness cafe.

For further information about eczema including, advice, support and information about support group you can log on to the national eczema association.

Works cited

Eczema - Web Md

How to help stop the itch - Skin care guide