A condition in which a few patches of your skin get itchy, inflamed or cracked is called eczema. In severe cases, it may also result in painful blisters. Most often, it is referred to as atopic dermatitis, which is one of the most common types of eczema [1]. There are various factors that can cause eczema such as specific food items and environmental triggers like pollutants, smoke and pollen.
While eczema is not contagious, your symptoms define its severity. It is known to last for a long time and you may even develop asthma or hay fever due to eczema. Though there is no permanent cure, you can avoid this condition by staying clear of irritants that can aggravate your condition. To know eczema symptoms and causes, read on.
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While the definite cause of eczema remains unknown, a combination of environmental and genetic factors can cause this condition. In case either parent has it, children are likely to contract it.
These are a few environmental factors that result in eczema:
One of the main signs of this condition is dry and flaky skin along with itching. Skin itching causes irritation making it inflamed and rough. Eczema can affect your arms, inner elbows, scalp, cheeks and back of the knees. Few other common symptoms include:
In some cases, your symptoms can worsen making it difficult for you to get a proper sleep at night. If not treated with antibiotics, these symptoms can cause infections. For mild eczema, you can avoid triggers that cause this condition and keep your skin well moisturized. Meet a doctor if your feel symptoms are not improving and you are unable to carry out your daily chores.
For babies below the age of 2 years, here are the common symptoms:
There are different types of eczema that you should be aware of.
In children above 2 years of age, these are some of the common symptoms:
Additional Read: Remedies for skin rashes: How to control it
There is no test for diagnosing this condition. On explaining your symptoms to your doctor, you may have to undergo a patch test to identify the allergen that is causing skin irritation. If the condition is severe, doctors may prescribe oral medications. You can apply certain creams and ointments to ease your symptoms. Doctors may also prescribe specific antibiotics and antihistamines for treating eczema [2].
As the diagnosis and treatment of this condition takes time, take precautionary measures and protect yourself from eczema. In case you notice eczema on face or any rashes in skin’s top layers, be sure to consult a dermatologist. You can talk to top derma specialists on Bajaj Finserv Health. Book an online consultation without any delay and relieve yourself from skin rashes!
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