Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Eczema in Winter
We usually associate eczema flare ups with the heat of summer. Whilst this is true the change in our life style in winter can also cause problems with eczema skin.
Our main aim in winter is obviously to keep warm. This means we have heaters and fires burning. This heated indoor setting results in low humidity that is a major cause of dry skin.
We also wear extra layers of clothing. Remember that some clothes do not allow our skin to breathe and some fabric fibers are rough and will irritate delicate, sensitive skin.
Dress in layers but try to keep cotton against your skin. Avoid wool and synthetic fibers. Cover more of your skin in an attempt to keep warm. You do not want to dress in clothes that will not breath as they will cause perspiration that will lead to irritated, itchy skin.
Cotton protective gloves under warm woolen gloves will help to protect the hands and avoiding synthetic socks will help to protect the feet. Don’t stay in wet clothing. Especially wet shoes and socks.
Now that the heat of summer is over don’t become slack with your emollients. Good skin care is vital to protect your skin during the harsh winter.
Mel SinclairRegistered Nurse
Our main aim in winter is obviously to keep warm. This means we have heaters and fires burning. This heated indoor setting results in low humidity that is a major cause of dry skin.
We also wear extra layers of clothing. Remember that some clothes do not allow our skin to breathe and some fabric fibers are rough and will irritate delicate, sensitive skin.
Dress in layers but try to keep cotton against your skin. Avoid wool and synthetic fibers. Cover more of your skin in an attempt to keep warm. You do not want to dress in clothes that will not breath as they will cause perspiration that will lead to irritated, itchy skin.
Cotton protective gloves under warm woolen gloves will help to protect the hands and avoiding synthetic socks will help to protect the feet. Don’t stay in wet clothing. Especially wet shoes and socks.
Now that the heat of summer is over don’t become slack with your emollients. Good skin care is vital to protect your skin during the harsh winter.
Mel SinclairRegistered Nurse
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Controlling Eczema
While eczema cannot be cured, most cases can be controlled by:
1)Making lifestyle modifications to prevent flare-ups
2)Seeing a dermatologist for treatment
3)Using medication as prescribed
This approach tends to prevent inflammation and itching and keeps eczema from getting worse. Dermatologists recommend that treatment be sought at the onset of signs and symptoms. When therapy begins early, it often reduces severity and duration.
Effective treatment requires a correct diagnosis; however, it is not always easy to distinguish one type of eczema from another or from similar skin conditions. Dermatologists have the medical training and experience needed to determine if eczema is present — and if present, which type.
To diagnose eczema, dermatologists examine the skin and ask about:
1)When the skin condition first appeared
2)Signs and symptoms, such as long-term pruritus (itching) or recurring dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)
3)Certain circumstances that may aggravate the condition, such as excessively dry air or emotional stress
4)Family medical history, including questions about close blood relatives who have asthma, hay fever, or eczema
5)Personal medical history
In some cases, a skin biopsy may be performed to rule out other causes.
Allergies are more common in individuals with atopic dermatitis, and allergy testing may be considered when a patient has:
1)Significant indications of allergies, such as gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, 2)or diarrhea and colic in infants) or hives
3)Been poorly responsive or unresponsive to treatment
If a food allergy is suspected, testing for allergic reactions to eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish, and tree nuts (e.g., walnuts, cashews) are usually performed as these foods are responsible for 85% of all food allergies. A positive allergy test does not confirm the food allergy. A suspected food allergy must be subjected to a "challenge." A challenge is conducted by having the patient eat the suspected food and observing the patient for a reaction.
Even a challenge does not guarantee that the food is the trigger because:
1) another trigger may be present and causing the reaction or
2) the patient’s reaction may be delayed. Consequently, allergy testing has limited value.
However, it is useful for eliminating foods that cause immediate and severe reactions or welts.
1)Making lifestyle modifications to prevent flare-ups
2)Seeing a dermatologist for treatment
3)Using medication as prescribed
This approach tends to prevent inflammation and itching and keeps eczema from getting worse. Dermatologists recommend that treatment be sought at the onset of signs and symptoms. When therapy begins early, it often reduces severity and duration.
Effective treatment requires a correct diagnosis; however, it is not always easy to distinguish one type of eczema from another or from similar skin conditions. Dermatologists have the medical training and experience needed to determine if eczema is present — and if present, which type.
To diagnose eczema, dermatologists examine the skin and ask about:
1)When the skin condition first appeared
2)Signs and symptoms, such as long-term pruritus (itching) or recurring dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)
3)Certain circumstances that may aggravate the condition, such as excessively dry air or emotional stress
4)Family medical history, including questions about close blood relatives who have asthma, hay fever, or eczema
5)Personal medical history
In some cases, a skin biopsy may be performed to rule out other causes.
Allergies are more common in individuals with atopic dermatitis, and allergy testing may be considered when a patient has:
1)Significant indications of allergies, such as gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, 2)or diarrhea and colic in infants) or hives
3)Been poorly responsive or unresponsive to treatment
If a food allergy is suspected, testing for allergic reactions to eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish, and tree nuts (e.g., walnuts, cashews) are usually performed as these foods are responsible for 85% of all food allergies. A positive allergy test does not confirm the food allergy. A suspected food allergy must be subjected to a "challenge." A challenge is conducted by having the patient eat the suspected food and observing the patient for a reaction.
Even a challenge does not guarantee that the food is the trigger because:
1) another trigger may be present and causing the reaction or
2) the patient’s reaction may be delayed. Consequently, allergy testing has limited value.
However, it is useful for eliminating foods that cause immediate and severe reactions or welts.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Babies Get Eczema Too
Considered to be one of the more common types of eczema; baby eczema is described as a red rash on the cheeks, chin, torso. The cause is usually thought to be environmental.
A variety of things can contribute to cause eczema. Most commonly, the main cause of eczema is a general allergy of sensitivity (www.medinfo.co.uk). This results in atopic eczema and is associated with asthma and hay fever. Eczema can also result from skin contact with a substance that irritates the skin. Substances such as laundry detergents, soaps, diesel or engine oils, strong chemicals, cleaners, etc. commonly cause skin inflammation for individuals with eczema. Upon contact, the immune system reacts and will cause the skin to become inflamed, irritated, and very sore. Varicose veins can also cause eczema. This form of eczema affects the lower legs of individuals with poor circulation. Some foods have also been known to cause eczema.
The most common form of eczema is atopic eczema. Atopic eczema is marked by dryness, thickening, excoriation, and even scarring (Hall 79). This chronic condition is not contagious; the cause is hereditary and usually begins in infancy as a rash on the scalp, face or upper extremitities of the baby. Atopic eczema is most commonly located in areas where the body bends or experiences contact thus creating friction that can cause eczema.
A variety of things can contribute to cause eczema. Most commonly, the main cause of eczema is a general allergy of sensitivity (www.medinfo.co.uk). This results in atopic eczema and is associated with asthma and hay fever. Eczema can also result from skin contact with a substance that irritates the skin. Substances such as laundry detergents, soaps, diesel or engine oils, strong chemicals, cleaners, etc. commonly cause skin inflammation for individuals with eczema. Upon contact, the immune system reacts and will cause the skin to become inflamed, irritated, and very sore. Varicose veins can also cause eczema. This form of eczema affects the lower legs of individuals with poor circulation. Some foods have also been known to cause eczema.
The most common form of eczema is atopic eczema. Atopic eczema is marked by dryness, thickening, excoriation, and even scarring (Hall 79). This chronic condition is not contagious; the cause is hereditary and usually begins in infancy as a rash on the scalp, face or upper extremitities of the baby. Atopic eczema is most commonly located in areas where the body bends or experiences contact thus creating friction that can cause eczema.
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