Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis

Eczema. Dermatitis

Eczema/ Atopic Dermatitis causes an itchy red cracked scaly rash that can occur any way on the body, but most commonly on the arms and the back of the knees as well as on the hands, feet face and neck. Eczema is a condition in which patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, cracked and rough. Some types can also cause blisters. Some people outgrow the condition, while others will continue to have it throughout adulthood.

Eczema is very common, more than one crore cases per year in India. Treatable by medical professional. Often require lab test or imaging. It can last several years or be lifelong.

Family history may increase the likelihood. Urgent medical attention is usually recommended in severe cases by health care provider.

Eczema and Psoriasis are used interchangeably. Of course, there are some similarities but are different chronic diseases and so should be the treatment. Both the skin conditions are known as twins because of identical symptoms, yet the management may differ. So, if your skin is dry, red, itchy and causing persistent scratching.

Different types of stages of eczema affect 31 million people in the united states, which equal more than 10% of population.11 percent of white people. 10 percent of Black people. 13 percent of Asian or Pacific Islander people. 13 percent of Native American people

Introduction

Many people use the word eczema when referring to atopic dermatitis, which is the most common type. The term Atopic refers to a collection of conditions that involves the immune system, including atopic dermatitis, asthma and hay fever. The good news is tha eczema is not contagious.

The term dermatitis refer to inflammation of skin. It's one of many types of dermatitis. Eczema damages the skin barrier function (the "glue" of your skin). This loss of barrier function makes your skin more sensitive and more prone to infection and dryness

Dermatitis (also known as eczema) is inflammation of the skin, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash. A group of skin conditions characterized by red, itchy rashes. People of Color who get eczema may also get dark or light skin patches even after eczema symptoms go away. These can last a long time. Doctors call these patches hyperpigmentation and depigmentation or hypopigmentation.

Eczema or dermatitis refers to distinctive reaction patterns in the skin which can be either Acute or chronic. Eczema are two types Exogenous : 1 . Irritant eczema, 2 . contact allergic Endogenous : 1 . Atopic 2 . Seborrheic 3 . Discoid 4 . Gravitational

Causes

Researchers do not know the definitive cause of eczema, but many health professionals believe that it develops from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Children are more likely to develop eczema if a parent has it or another atopic condition. If both parents have an atopic condition, the risk is even higher.

Some environmental factors may also bring out the symptoms of eczema. These include :

Irritants: These include soaps, detergents, shampoos, bubble bath, disinfectants, juices from fresh fruits, meats, and vegetables.
Allergens: Dust mites, pets, pollens, and mold can all lead to eczema. This is known as Allergic eczema.
Microbes: These include bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, and certain fungi.
Hot and cold temperatures: Very hot and very cold weather, high and low humidity, and perspiration from exercise can bring out eczema.
Foods: Dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds, soy products, and wheat can cause eczema flares.
Stress: This is not a direct cause of eczema, but it can make the symptoms worse.
Hormones: Females may experience increased eczema symptoms when their hormone levels are changing, such as during pregnancy and at certain points in the menstrual cycle.
Weather : Cold and dry weather. dampness, and more specific things such as house dust mites, pet fur, pollen and moulds.

Asteatotic Eczema

Varicose eczema

Eczema

Adult Eczema

"Fight eczema naturally."

Five Symptoms of Eczema

Itch;
Dryness of skin
When eczema affects scalp than with marked scaling (dandruff)
Also sffects ears, central face, nasolabial folds and eye brows
It also affects axilla, umbilicus, breasts, groins
sensitive skin;
Inflamed, discolored skin;
Rough, leathery or scaly skin, appearing as scaly patches;
Oozing or crusting;
Areas of swelling.

Types of eczema:

Atopic dermatitis.
Allergic Contact dermatitis.
Neurodermatitis.
Dyshidrotic eczema.
Nummular eczema.
Seborrheic dermatitis.
Stasis dermatitis.
Seborrheic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis :

Atopic Eczema

Atopic Dermatitis. Elbow crease

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis Cheeks

Childhood Eczema

When a child develops eczema, it's usually a type of eczema known as atopic dermatitis. This type of eczema usually begins by 5 years of age. It is not contagious.

which is the most common form. “Atopic” refers to an allergy. People with eczema often have allergies or asthma along with itchy, red, or hyperpigmented skin. It usually starts in childhood, and often gets milder or goes away by adulthood.

Atopic dermatitis is part of what healthcare professionals call the atopic triad. “Triad” means three. The other two diseases in the triad are asthma and hay fever. Many people with atopic dermatitis have all three conditions.

The symptoms of atopic dermatitis can vary depending on a person’s age and the condition’s severity and can vary by individual.

People with the condition will often experience periods of time when their symptoms worsenTrusted SourceTrusted Source, followed by periods of time when their symptoms will improve or clear up.

People with severe eczema may need more intensive treatment to relieve their symptoms. Continuous rubbing and scratching can also lead to skin infections.

In atopic dermatitis:

The rash often forms in the creases of your elbows or knees.
The skin in areas where the rash appears may turn lighter or darker or get thicker.
Small bumps may appear and leak fluid if you scratch them.
Babies will often get the rash on their scalp and cheeks.
Your skin can get infected if you scratch it.

Causes

Atopic dermatitis happens when your skin’s natural barrier against the elements is weakened. This means your skin is less able to protect you from irritants and allergens.

Atopic dermatitis is likely caused by a combination of factors, such as:

genes
dry skin
an immune system problem
triggers in the environment

Allergic Contact dermatitis

Contact Dermatitis

Contact Dermatitis Wrist watch Allergy

Contact dermatitis Para-phenylenediamine allergic contact dermatitis due to henna tattoos

This is a skin reaction that occurs following contact with a substance or allergen that the immune system recognizes as foreign.

If you have red, irritated skin, thick scaly region that’s caused by a reaction to substances you touch, you may have contact dermatitis . ( Latex is the milky white sap of rubber trees, which is found beneath the bark of a mature rubber tree. Latex is a natural substance which is harvested from plants, but it can also be artificially produced through chemical processes. Latex is often used as a synonym for rubber, but the term actually refers to a suspension of tiny polymer particles that is held in any liquid medium. Rubber also contains latex.)

It comes in two types: Allergic contact dermatitis is an immune system reaction to an irritant, like latex or metal. Irritant contact dermatitis starts when a chemical or other substance irritates your skin.

Symptoms

In contact dermatitis:

You skin itches, turns red, is hyperpigmented or pink, magenta, burns, and stings.
Itchy bumps called hives may appear on your skin.
Fluid-filled blisters can form that may ooze and crust over.
Over time, the skin may thicken and feel scaly or leathery.

Causes

Contact dermatitis happens when you touch a substance that irritates your skin or causes an allergic reaction. The most common causes are:

detergents
bleach
jewelry
latex
nickel
paint
poison ivy and other poisonous plants
skin care products, including makeup
soaps and perfumes
solvents
tobacco smoke

Dyshidrotic eczema

Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema

Dyshidrotic Eczema of feet

Dyshidrotic Eczema of hand

Dyshidrotic eczema causes small blisters to form on your hands and feet. It’s more common in women than men.

Symptoms

In dyshidrotic eczema:

Fluid-filled blisters form on your fingers, toes, palms, and the soles of your feet.
These blisters may itch or hurt.
Your skin can scale, crack, and flake.

Causes

Dyshidrotic eczema can be caused by:

allergies
damp hands and feet
exposure to substances, such as nickel, cobalt, or chromium salt
stress
smoking tobacco products

Hand eczema

Hand Eczema

Eczema that only affects your hands is called hand eczema. You may get this type if you work a job, like hairdressing or cleaning, where you regularly use chemicals that irritate the skin.

Symptoms

In hand eczema:

Your hands get red, hyperpigmented, itchy, and dry.
They may form cracks or blisters.

Causes

Hand eczema is triggered by exposure to chemicals. People are more likely to get this form if they work in jobs that expose them to irritants, such as:

cleaning
hairdressing
healthcare
laundry or dry cleaning

Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis Face

Neurodermatitis forearm

Neurodermatitis is similar to atopic dermatitis. It causes thick, scaly patches to appear on your skin. This leads to scaly patches of skin on the head, forearms, wrists, and lower legs. It occurs due to a localized itch, such as from an insect bite.

Symptoms

In neurodermatitis:

Thick, scaly patches form on your arms, legs, back of your neck, scalp, bottoms of your feet, backs of your hands, or genitals.
The patches can be very itchy, especially when you’re relaxed or asleep.
The patches can bleed and get infected if you scratch them.

Causes

Neurodermatitis usually starts in people who have other types of eczema or Psoriasis. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes it, but stress can be a trigger.

Nummular / Discoid eczema

Nummular Eczema

Nummular Dermatitis (coin)

Discoid Eczema is a common form of eczema recognized by discrete coin shaped lesions seen on limbs of young men associated with intake of alcohol. This type of eczema causes round, coin-shaped spots to form on your skin. The word “nummular” means coin in Latin. It presents as circular patches of irritated skin that can be crusted, scaly, and itchy.

Nummular Eczema looks very different from other types of eczema, and it can itch a lot.

Symptoms

In nummular eczema:

Round, coin-shaped spots form on your skin.
The spots may itch or become scaly.

Causes

Nummular eczema can be triggered by a reaction to an insect bite or an allergic reaction to metals or chemicals. Dry skin can also cause it.

You’re more likely to get this form if you have another type of eczema, such as atopic dermatitis.

Stasis Gravitational Eczema / dermatitis

Stasis Dermatitis

Gravitational Eczema occurs on lover legs and is often associated with signs of venous insufficiency (edema, ed or bluish discolorations), loss of hair, pigmentation and aberration. Stasis dermatitis happens when fluid leaks out of weakened veins into your skin. This refers to skin irritation of the lower leg. It is usually related to circulatory problems.

This fluid causes:

swelling
redness in lighter skin tones
brown, purple, gray or ashen color in darker skin tones
itching
pain

Symptoms

In stasis dermatitis:

The lower part of your legs may swell, especially during the day when you’ve been walking.
Your legs may ache or feel heavy.
You’ll likely also have varicose veins, which are thick, ropey damaged veins in your legs.
The skin over those varicose veins will be dry and itchy.
You may develop open sores on your lower legs and on the tops of your feet.

Causes

Stasis dermatitis happens in people who have blood flow problems in their lower legs. If the valves that normally push blood up through your legs toward your heart malfunction, blood can pool in your legs.

Your legs can swell up and varicose veins can form.

Seeing a doctor

See your doctor if the itching, redness, hyperpigmentation, dryness, and scaliness you’re experiencing doesn’t go away, or if it interferes with your life.

A dermatologist can diagnose and treat eczema, but other healthcare professionals may also be able to provide guidance.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic Dermatitis

A skin condition that causes scaly patches and red skin, mainly on the scalp.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Dermatitis Herpetiformis
A chronic, very itchy skin rash made up of bumps and blisters.

Similarities between eczema and psoriasis :

Both eczema and Psoriasis can cause dry, itchy and scaly skin. Both can appear at the same part of body like scalp, hands, legs and so on. The good news is that neither Eczema nor Psoriasis is contagious, however the bad news is that both skin conditions can trigger infections.

Difference between Eczema and Psoriasis :

Symptoms :

An inexperienced person may not be able to identify whether it is eczema or Psoriasis, therefore it is also advisable to visit a qualified doctor to seek treatment. However. here are some prominent symptoms that can help in diagnosing.

Appearances :

Eczema can result in bumps, swelling and rashes. In extreme conditions, it can even result in oozing, and crusty skin. You may notice leathery, rough patches which could be dark. It can also catalyze swelling of the skin in the affected area.

Psoriasis being auto immune condition seems like prominent patch / es of reddened skin. These scales have visible, silvery -white crusts called Plaques. Even a slight scratch can cause these plaques to bleed. However, it is not necessary that scaling may always happen in the case of Psoriasis.

Location :

Eczema usually appears on the body parts that bend, for example, the crook of the elbows, behind the knees. Such parts are called flexural surfaces.. It may also show up on ankles,, face, palms, wrists and neck. Sometimes, it can be seen on babies' scalp, cheek, chin, back, chest, arms and legs.

Psoriasis often happens on the extensor surfaces like shins, fronts of knees and forearms. It can also appear on the palms of the hands, soles of feet, lower back, ankles, arms, legs, navel, neck, ears, face, skin golds and scalp.

If these are skin symptoms, the doctor can pin down if eczema or Psoriasis is the cause. He or she will also ensure that you get the right treatment.

Causes :

According to the researchers, the cause for eczema is the overactive immune system result in producing excessasive white blood cells known as T cells. To shield the body from infections, these cells spark off an inflammatory response.

However, in case of Psoriasis, the immune system starts seeing normal cells as a threat and strikes at them through T-cells. Here are some of the reasons for the trigger :

Eczema : Disinfectants, Soy products, Wheat, Detergents, Soap, Dandruff. Nuts and seeds, eggs, Dairy products and Dust mites.

Psoriasis : Certain medications, Scratches, Smoking, Alcohol,, Sunburn, Infections.

"Consult a doctor / Skin specialist for a diagnosis."

Lifestyle

Do's

Taking lukewarm baths
Applying moisturizer within 3 minutes of bathing to “lock in” moisture
Moisturizing every day
Wearing cotton and soft fabrics
Avoiding rough, scratchy fibers and tight fitting clothing
Using a humidifier in dry or cold weather
Using a mild soap or a non-soap cleanser when washing
Taking extra precautions to prevent eczema flares in winter,
Air drying or gently patting the skin dry with a towel, rather than rubbing the skin dry after bathing or taking a shower
Where possible, avoiding rapid changes of temperature and activities that cause sweating
Learning and avoiding individual eczema triggers
Keeping fingernails short to prevent scratching from breaking the skin

Avoid

Environmental triggers can include smoke
Pollen,
Soaps,
Fragrances.

Water

The best way to get glowing with less effort and time is drinking water. Drinking less amount of water can under hydrate your skin, reducing the level of oxygen on the skin and tissues. Your skin cannot function at its best without water. This result in dry, rough and dull looking skin. So, to avoid that, drink an adequate amount of water daily. You need to drink at least8-10 full glasses of water a day. It keeps your skin clear, soft and glowing and helps combat many skin issues like Psoriasis and Eczema.

Food

Do's

Avocado

Biotin source
Control dermatitis and Psoriasis.

Foods high in probiotics, which are bacteria that promote good gut health. Examples include yogurt with live and active cultures, miso soup, and tempeh. Other fermented foods and drinks, such as kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut, also contain probiotics.
Foods high in inflammation-fighting flavonoids. Examples of these include colorful fruits and vegetables, such as apples, broccoli, cherries, spinach, and kale.

Avoid

citrus fruits.
dairy.
eggs.
gluten or wheat.
soy.
spices, such as vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon.
tomatoes.
some types of nuts.

Treatment

Allopathy

There is currently no cure for eczema. Treatment for the condition aims to heal the affected skin and prevent flares of symptoms.

Topical corticosteroid creams and ointments: These are anti-inflammatory medications and should relieve the main symptoms of eczema, such as inflammation and itchiness. People can apply them directly to the skin. Some people may benefit from prescription-strength medications.
Oral medications: If topical treatments are not effective, a doctor may prescribe oral medications like systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. These are available as injections or oral tablets. People should only use them for short periods of time. Also, it is important to note that the symptoms may worsen upon stopping these drugs if the person is not already taking another medication for the condition.
Antibiotics: Doctors prescribe antibiotics if eczema occurs alongside a bacterial skin infection.
Antihistamines: These can reduce the risk of nighttime scratching, as they tend to cause drowsiness.
Topical calcineurin inhibitors: This drug suppresses the activities of the immune system. It decreases inflammation and helps prevent flares.
Barrier repair moisturizers: These reduce water loss and work to repair the skin.
Phototherapy: This involves exposure to UVA or UVB waves. This method can treat moderate dermatitis. A doctor will monitor the skin closely throughout the treatment.
Injected biologic drugs: These medications block proteins in the immune system to limit immune system response

Natural remedies for eczema :

Aloe vera,
Coconut oil
Apple cider vinegar.

To help reduce itching and soothe inflamed skin, try these self-care measures:

Moisturize your skin at least twice a day.
Apply an anti-itch cream to the affected area.
Take an oral allergy or anti-itch medication.
Don't scratch.
Apply bandages.
Take a warm bath.
Choose mild soaps without dyes or perfumes.

"Even after an area of skin has healed, it is important to keep looking after it, as it may easily become irritated again."

Eczema :

According to Ayurveda, Eczema is so related to Vicharchika (विचर्चिका, चम्बल या अपरस रोग) and can be treated with Panchkarma like Virechana, Raktamokshana through leech therapy

Panchkarma

Virechana

Raktamotion through leech therapy.

Some other modalities also include

Dhara

Prakshalana

Recommended code of conduct followed to be followed during the process :

Do's (Pathya)

Inducing Sweat : (Swedana )
Consuming medicated Ghee, bitter vegetables, green gram, barley, old rice.
Keeping the surroundings clean.
Pranayama
Yoga
Meditation
Controlling weight
Oil massage : (Abyayanga) Oil with Maha Narayana Tel.
Healthy foods
Exercise every day.
Smiling without any reason
Starting and ending the day with expressing gratitude to the Almighty.

Don'ts (Apathya)

Excess sleep
Sour and salty food products
Sea foods
Non-veg
Alcohol
Smoking
Junk / packed food
Coffee

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