ECZEMA TREATMENT

Making contact with almost any fabric can be an agonizing experience for people who suffer from itchy, dry sensitive skin caused by eczema, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis, conditions which affect over 30 million people of all ages nationwide. Now, a breakthrough fabric called DermaSmart(TM) created by Milliken & Company promises to reduce itching and the appearance of dryness, peeling and scaling commonly associated with these skin conditions.
"DermaSmart has demonstrated in lab tests and instudies with patients to be a better choice of fabrics than the traditionally-recommended 100% cotton, both for comfort and for relief of symptoms," said Lyn Murajda, Brand Manager for the Apparel & Specialty Fabrics Division of Milliken.
DermaSmart is a silky, soft, breathable fabric that significantly reduces the friction or drag of the fabric against the skin.
* DermaSmart has been proven to help reduce itching and the appearance of dryness, scaling and peeling.
* DermaSmart fabric absorbs excess perspiration and disperses it through the fabric so it dries quickly, keeping the wearer comfortable.
* DermaSmart fabric contains silver, which is a safe, natural antimicrobial that prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
Additionally, DermaSmart clothing is designed with superior comfort attributes. Each shirt and pant has smooth, flat seams and a "tagless" size label, and the pants have covered waistbands, features which keep the clothing construction from irritating the skin.
"Two of the most vexing problems confronting patients with eczema, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, aside from their disease, are how to dress and how to get a good night's sleep," explains Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., a dermatologist based in High Point, North Carolina.
"And clothing plays alarge contributing role in this. Wearing a smoother, less irritating fabric directly against the patient's skin helps to reduce the irritation and itching, and this allows the oral and topical treatments to work more efficiently."
In 2003, Dr. Draelos completed a study with patients who had eczema, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, to compare 100% combed cotton t-shirts toDermaSmart. She concluded that, "The study demonstrated statistically significant improvement in skin condition and decreased itching" in the patients who wore the DermaSmart shirts. The symptoms it improved specifically were itching, and the appearance of dryness, scaling and peeling. A clinical study she completed in early 2006 further verified these results.

It’s been so dry this winter that Robyn Wellcome’s hands have been bleeding. While she’s using industrial strength lotion to combat the dryness, it hasn’t helped despite repeated applications during the day.
“My hands are constantly in water,” says Wellcome, who works as a hairstylist . Even so, many who don’t share her occupation are experiencing cracked, itchy and flaky skin, brittle hair and dry cuticles.
In Hunter Wellcome’s case, the more is bloody noses. “He’s been getting these gusher nosebleeds,” says the Chandler mom. The 6-year-old is applying Vaseline inside his nostrils at night, something that Dr. Andrew Carroll recommends. “Put a little Vaseline on a Q-Tip and apply it inside the nose,” says Carroll. Vaseline counters dry skin and moisturizes the nostril passages.
While some people may be regaling in the sunny, cloudless days and the clear, cool nights, others are cruising drugstore aisles for moisturizing remedies to avoid mummy-itis. “Oh, my gosh, I’m seeing a lot of dehydrated skin and dry, cracked cuticles — more so than usual,” says nail professional Michelle LeBlanc. Carroll has also been seeing the effects of the lack of moisture in his patients. “The dry air is not only hard on people with respiratory problems,” he says, “but people who have skin problems” such as eczema. This skin irritation is characterized by red, flaky skin, cracks or blisters, and is generally treated with prescription ointments.
“Drinking water does help,” says Carroll. So will turning on a humidifier at night. For dry skin, LeBlanc recommends a high-quality body cream and some cuticle oil. “Don’t use anything with a mineral oil base because that actually repels moisture,” she says. For dry hair, look for a moisturizing, not protein, conditioner, says Wellcome. For dry scalp, she recommends shampoos containing the essential oil of the tea tree.

Dermasalve Sciences, the dry skin moisturiser specialist, announced today that it has been granted the patent covering its intellectual property rights. The patent covers active ingredients used in its formulations, including the medicinal use of sodium silicate, in its first generation of moisturising creams for dry and sensitive skin sufferers. The patent also covers the production of creams, ointments, sprays, sunscreens and shampoos for the treatment of eczema, dermatitis, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, viral plantar and palm warts. Chief executive Dr Mark Randle said, “Our hand, foot and body creams are available in retail chemists throughout the UK and we are delighted that these products are now protected by the granting of this patent.” A further patent has been filed for the 2nd generation of sensitiser, liquid paraffin free creams, said Dermasalve.

Initial and ongoing treatment for eczema should include:
Avoiding dry skin. Keep your skin hydrated through proper bathing and using moisturizers. This includes bathing in warm water, bathing for only 3 to 5 minutes, avoiding gels and bath oils, and using only nondrying soaps;
Apply a moisturizer immediately after bathing; avoiding irritants that causes a rash or make a rash worse. These include soaps that dry the skin, perfumes, and scratchy clothing or bedding; Avoiding possible allergens that cause a rash or make a rash worse. These may include dust and dust mites, animal dander, and certain foods, such as eggs, peanuts, milk, wheat, or soy products;
Controlling itching and scratching. Keep your fingernails trimmed and filed smooth to help prevent damaging the skin when scratching. You may want to use protective dressings to keep from rubbing the affected area. Put mittens or cotton socks on a baby's hands to help prevent him or her from scratching the area.

Moisturizers or emollients including bath oils, soap substitutes can be applied to the dermatitis as frequently as required to relieve itching, scaling and dryness. Emollients should also be used on the unaffected skin to reduce dryness. Emollient therapy helps to restore one of the skin's most important functions, which is to form a barrier to prevent bacteria and viruses getting into the body and therefore help to prevent a rash becoming infected. Emollients are safe and rarely cause an allergic reaction. Occasionally, products with lanolin may cause a reaction. Ideally, moisturizers should be applied three to four times a day. Apply in a gentle downward motion in the direction of hair growth to prevent accumulation of cream around the hair follicle (this can cause infection of the follicle).

Hand eczema often results from a combination of causes, including genetic makeup, injury, contact with irritants and allergy. It is frequently caused or aggravated by work, when it is known as occupational dermatitis. Hand dermatitis is particularly common in industries involving cleaning, catering, metalwork, hairdressing, healthcare and mechanical work.Hand dermatitis varies in severity. It may affect the backs of the hands, the palms or both sites. Often it starts as a mild intermittent complaint, but it can become increasingly severe and persistent. The affected skin initially becomes red and dry, then progresses to itchy bumps and fluid-filled blisters, scaling, cracking, weeping and swelling. Bacterial infection can result in pustules, crusting and pain. Longstanding dermatitis at the ends of the fingers may result in deformed nails. Hand dermatitis can spread to affect other sites, particularly the forearms and feet.

Much of modern day medicine treats the symptoms, not the cause. But as symptoms are relieved, giving the apparency of a return to wellness, the disease not only continues to develop unbeknownst to the victim, it may even be exacerbated by the alleged cure.

Such is the case when one uses steroids as an eczema treatment. There are several types of steroids. Natural corticosteroids – the type synthesized for use in eczema medications – are made by the cortex (outer layer) of the adrenal glands. They are important to the function of almost every cell and organ. They help maintain blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and muscle strength. They control the balance of salt and water in the body. They reduce inflammation and the resultant pain, control protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, and play an integral role in stress response and immune system function.It is obviously vital to control and maintain all of the foregoing. Inflammation, for example, is a common denominator found in many chronic conditions such as obesity, Type II diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimers.

However, when synthesized and administered as a drug, steroids are not the answer. According to Dr. Barry Sears, more people die by taking the correct amount of anti-inflammatory drugs than die from AIDS. The topical steroids prescribed for eczema actually work by suppressing immune response and thereby depriving the body of its natural defense mechanism, which can lead to many other serious conditions.

Many doctors maintain that steroids are damaging only if used for extended periods. In fact, many studies with findings to the contrary have been published in medical journals. Steroids reduce calcium absorption through the gastrointestinal system leading to osteoporosis. An eight percent reduction in bone mass can occur in just four months. Low doses of prednisone can cause cataracts after one year. Topical steroids may begin to cause eye damage or raise pressure after two weeks. Rub-on steroids have caused Cushing's syndrome in children within a month of beginning treatment. Inhaled steroids, like those used for asthma, slow growth in children after only six weeks.

There are many natural alternatives to steroid drugs for the relief of pain and inflammation, and many of them also promote fast healing. When treating skin conditions, substituting these products for steroid drugs protects you from further complications. Homeopathic medicines, Goji, several herbs, alfalfa, and MSM are a few worth investigation. They can be found in health food stores, and additional information about them is available online. When using an eczema treatment be sure to also use a good shielding lotion to lock in the body’s natural moisture and protect the skin from harsh chemicals and pollutants.