ECZEMA

1 in 5 children and 1 in 12 adults suffer from eczema.  Triggers of eczema outbreaks can be environmental irritants or allergens such as soap, perfume, food allergies, stress and changes in temperature or humidity.

Although the appearance of eczema varies from person to person and varies according to the specific type of eczema, it most commonly causes dry, reddened skin that itches or burns.  The first symptoms of eczema is generally Intense itching, sometimes leading to blisters and oozing lesions, but eczema can also result in dry and scaly skin.  Repeated scratching may lead to thickened, crusty).

Eczema typically occurs on the face, neck, and the insides of the elbows, knees, and ankles. In infants, eczema typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck.

Symptoms of mild cases of eczema may only occur for a few hours or days but in other cases the symptoms persist over a longer time and are referred to as chronic dermatitis.

Preventions

Whilst eczema is not preventable, we can nevertheless take steps to manage symptoms and reduce the severity of outbreaks by avoiding extreme temperatures and known irritants, such as soaps, detergents, perfumes, environmental irritants and foods that cause allergic reactions.

Bathe in warm, not hot water, and use a mild cleansing wash, making sure you apply plenty of moisturiser, especially after bathing. 

Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably cotton as this may be less irritating than wool or synthetic fibres.

In the winter months (and even the summer months if you use an air conditioning unit) use a humidifier to replace the moisture in the air and help to hydrate our skin.

Beware of products that contain lanolin, sodium lauryl sulphate, parabens and artificial fragrances, as they can irritate the skin.  Using products containing chickweed, evening primrose, borage, squalene and vegetable glycerine can help control eczema and other dry skin conditions, if used regularly.