Monday, October 18, 2004
Eczema Or Dermatitis?
The terms eczema and dermatitis are often used interchangeably to describe the same condition. Eczema is a skin disease which affects approximately 26 million Americans (Dermatology Times, Oct.1998).
Eczema is characterized by a rash, dryness of skin, itching, and redness of skin (Rouse). The symptoms of eczema occur due to the overproduction of damaging inflammatory skin cells and continue to worsen as a result of certain factors in the environment.
The cause of Allergic Eczema, Contact Eczema, and Atopic Eczema can all be traced to environmental factors. Foods, shampoos, soaps, laundry detergents, synthetic fabrics, stress, and temperature changes are capable of irritating already existing eczema (Dermatology Times, Oct. 1998) and may even be the cause of a new eczema condition.
Although eczema is a chronic skin condition, there are various forms of treatment and interventions available to help control eczema.
Eczema or dermatitis is a hereditary condition and thus is not contagious to others. A general picture of eczema can encompass different stages. Within any disease there can be a wide range of severity. This is the case for people with eczema or dermatitis. Some people may have only a small patch of affected skin while others may have larger patches all over the body.
An individual may experience one mild eczema outbreak while others experience chronic severe incidences of eczema. In some cases after an eczema or dermatitis outbreak the skin remains more reactive than it was prior to the outbreak. The eczema-affected skin is very sensitive and the individual must be aware of the trigger factors and try to avoid them.
While eczema can vary in its level of severity, it can also differ according to the type of eczema that the individual has. Lifestyle changes are part of the the whole treatment picture.
Eczema is characterized by a rash, dryness of skin, itching, and redness of skin (Rouse). The symptoms of eczema occur due to the overproduction of damaging inflammatory skin cells and continue to worsen as a result of certain factors in the environment.
The cause of Allergic Eczema, Contact Eczema, and Atopic Eczema can all be traced to environmental factors. Foods, shampoos, soaps, laundry detergents, synthetic fabrics, stress, and temperature changes are capable of irritating already existing eczema (Dermatology Times, Oct. 1998) and may even be the cause of a new eczema condition.
Although eczema is a chronic skin condition, there are various forms of treatment and interventions available to help control eczema.
Eczema or dermatitis is a hereditary condition and thus is not contagious to others. A general picture of eczema can encompass different stages. Within any disease there can be a wide range of severity. This is the case for people with eczema or dermatitis. Some people may have only a small patch of affected skin while others may have larger patches all over the body.
An individual may experience one mild eczema outbreak while others experience chronic severe incidences of eczema. In some cases after an eczema or dermatitis outbreak the skin remains more reactive than it was prior to the outbreak. The eczema-affected skin is very sensitive and the individual must be aware of the trigger factors and try to avoid them.
While eczema can vary in its level of severity, it can also differ according to the type of eczema that the individual has. Lifestyle changes are part of the the whole treatment picture.
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