What is Eczema?
• Eczema is a skin disease which results from scales, dryness of the skin and itchy rashes.
• Eczema can be acute or chronic.
What are the causes of Eczema?
• Dry skin
• Stress
• Long hot baths or showers
• Staphylococcal bacteria
• Wool or man-made fabrics or clothing
• Low humidity
• Solvents, cleaners, soaps or detergents
• Dust and /or pollens
• Tobacco, smoking
• Excessive heat
• Sweating
• Jewelry or artificial ornaments.
• Environmental factors like pollution, irritants etc.
What are the signs and symptoms of Eczema?
• Skin broken in places.
• Skin cracked in some areas.
• skin dry
• Itchy and scratching of the skin.
• Itching worse at night and after overheating.
• Redness and inflammation of the skin.
• Blisters oozing from it
• Red to brownish grey coloured patches.
• Affected area may feel like raised bumps.
• Affected area feels hot.
• Skin appears scaly and dry.
What are the types of Eczema?
Atopic dermatitis:
• It is a chronic skin disease characterized by itchy, inflamed skin and is the most common cause of eczema.
• This type of eczema may be environmental, food, perfumes or other allergies.
Contact eczema:
• It is a localized reaction of the skin that includes redness, itching and burning.
• The skin eruptions appear after it come in contact with allergens such as acids, cleansing agents or chemicals, detergents perfumes etc.
Seborrheic eczema:
• It is also known as dandruff.
• This type of eczema is caused by due to irritation from a toxic substance produced by Malassezia yeasts that live on the scalp, face and sometimes elsewhere.
• In this the scalp, eyebrows, side of the nose, the area behind the ears, groin and centre of chest are affected.
• It causes skin to fall off in flakes.
Nummular eczema:
• Eruption characterized by coin-shaped patches of irritated skin.
• Skin filled with itchy little blisters and scales.
Neurodermatitis:
• It is also known as lichen simplex chronicus.
• It is a chronic skin inflammatory condition caused by a scratch itch cycle that begins with localized itching such as insect bite etc. that becomes intensely irritable when scratched.
• It affects women more than men.
• Mainly the 20-50 years of age of persons are more affected due to this.
Dyshidrotic eczema (Dyshidrotic Dermatitis):
• In this type of eczema the palms and feet (soles) are characterized by clear, deep blisters with itching and burning.
• Eczema may become chronic and painful.
Gravitational dermatitis:
• It arises on the lower legs of the elderly, due to swelling and poorly functioning of leg veins.
How to investigate Eczema?
• History of the patient.
• Family history.
• Physical examination of the patient.
• Blood test.
• Allergy test
How to treat Eczema?
• Antihistamines.
• Oral or topical antibiotics.
• Moisturizers.
• Cortisone or steroid creams or ointments.
• Dietary changes after professional advice in cases of food allergies.
• Ultraviolet radiation therapy (phototherapy).
Is eczema a fatal disease?
• The eczema is not a fatal disease. If treated well on time.
• But in some cases, if it is left untreated can lead to secondary bacterial infection which can be treated with antibiotics.
What are the complications of eczema?
• Streptococcus or staphylococcus bacterial infection.(Eczema herpeticum)
• Neurodermatitis (lichen simplex chronicus)
What are the management of eczema?
• Yoga and meditation act as stress management techniques.
• Keep a good hygiene level.
• Maintain cool temperature inside the sleeping area.
• Cold compressions can control itching.
• Use minimum jewellery or artificial ornaments.
• Avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity.
• Avoid rough, scratchy, tight clothing and woollens.
• Wash clothes with mild detergents.
• Keep the body hydrated, drink lots of water.
• Avoid sweating or overheating.
• Avoid harsh soaps, detergents and solvents.
What are the indicated homoeopathic medicines for eczema?
• Arsenicum album
• Graphites
• Natrium muriaticum
• Petroleum
• Psorinum
• Rhus toxicodendron
• Sulphur
