Thursday, September 16, 2010

Key Information On The Symptoms Of Eczema

By Shawn Onseo

Eczema is a broadly used term for various types skin conditions bearing inflammation, but it is more commonly referred to as dermatitis. Dermatitis is not contagious, although it can impact people of all ages. Eczema symptoms can often help to indicate what form of dermatitis a person may have.

Dermatitis is non-contagious condition of the skin that often starts during the early stage of infancy, but it can also lie dormant and hit adults later on in life, even if there were no signs previously. Typically, about 85% of people will be affected by the condition before 5 years of age, with about half seeing the matter resolve itself at around 3 years of age.

In some cases, the condition will reoccur even past the stages of infancy and in later years. However, it has also been shown that many individuals who suffer from eczema also have a family history of the condition, possible allergies, or hay fever and asthma. While the condition can impact all and any races, it has been shown to be more common amongst girls than boys, with statistics of at least 20% of children being affected, and 1% to 2% of adults.

While medical professionals may not be certain about the causes for dermatitis, it's commonly believe to be a defect in the skin, which in turn impairs its ability to function properly and work as a protective barrier. This is along side other beliefs that problems with the immune system may also come into play, adding further to this defect.

Other causes may be due to hereditary genes, where these genes bear defects that could possibly be carried down throughout a family's history, causing several abnormalities with the proteins that function to promote the health of normal skin. There is also what is referred to as contact dermatitis, which is often a result of irritation cause by chemicals, certain types of jewelry, changes in the weather or one's emotions, detergents, sweating, clothing, and harsh soaps.

Symptoms can vary on a case by case basis, although more common occurrences will have signs of redness, itchiness, burning, dryness, scaliness, and occasionally oozing blisters for slightly more severe conditions. Itching is often the most common symptom associated with eczema, but when the skin is irritated by heavy scratching, it can also be come hard and thickened, almost like leather.

Symptoms can generally crop up along the face, knees, ankles, inner elbow area and the neck, but can also touch upon other areas such as the feet or hands. Infants often experience signs along the cheeks, forearms, legs, neck and scalp. Some people may see that symptoms go away after a few hours or even days, but more chronic cases may see persistent symptoms throughout their life. Although there is no cure for eczema symptoms, fortunately, there are numerous methods and prevention treatments to help manage or relieve them.

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