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INTRODUCTION: Eczema is a type of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin and is usually cyclical, meaning that at some times of the year the afflicted are able to feel normal, while at other times they will separate themselves from social contact. Diagnosis is most often based on the appearance of inflamed, itchy skin in sensitive areas such as face, chest and other skin crease areas.

It is sometimes referred to as “the itch that rashes,” since the itch, when scratched, results in the appearance of the rash. It can occur on just about any part of the body; however, in infants, it typically occurs on the forehead, cheeks, forearms, legs, scalp, and neck. Outbreaks can usually be avoided with some simple precautions.

DERMATITIS: One of the most common types of eczema is atopic dermatitis (or “atopic eczema”). There are several different kinds, but the one that most people usually mean when they say eczema is atopic dermatitis. In general, it comes and goes, often based on external factors.

Dermatitis is a chronic skin problem recognized by itching rashes, which may be red, scaly, dry, or leathery. It is not yet known what the cause is, but it does tend to run in families that have a history of asthma, allergies or atopic dermatitis.

Some herbs, such as chamomile, are known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. It is a chronic disease, but only about a third of children with it will continue to have problems as they get older. In atopic dermatitis it is typical for there to be episodes of calm mixed with flares ups of eczema. It’s the most common kind of eczema.

TREATMENT: Moisturizing is one of the most important self-care treatments for sufferers of eczema. Another option is to try bathing using colloidal oatmeal baths. Other than direct treatments of the symptoms, no cure is presently known for most types of dermatitis; even cortisone and immuno-modulation may often have only minor effects on what may be a complex problem.

These applications are generally most effective when applied directly after bathing (within three minutes is a common recommendation) so that the moisture from the bath is “locked in”. Tar treatments and photo-therapy are also used and can have positive effects; however, tar can be messy.

While there are many treatments, it isn’t always easy to find the one that’s right for you. Dermatitis patients can be treated, but medical treatments often don’t help a pain which is more than skin deep. The primary therapies are aimed at controlling and preventing inflammation and itching and include avoiding triggers, bathing frequently and hydrating the skin, free use of moisturizers and lubricants, and the use of steroid creams for flare ups.

With many kinds of treatments on the market, it’s critical to be well informed when making decisions with your physician. The natural human desire to scratch or rub an itchy rash simply makes the condition worse, and treatments can be slow and are not always totally effective.

CONCLUSION: Eczema is a general term covering various inflamed skin conditions and happens in both children and adults, but most frequently appears in infancy. It is an allergic reaction that affects the skin. Also known as dermatitis it can be exacerbated by dry skin. It is not contagious but as with many diseases, currently cannot be cured.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 15 million people in the United States have some form of this disease. About 10 percent to 20 percent of all infants have it; however, in nearly half of these children, the disease will improve greatly by the time they are between five and 15 years of age.

Because dermatitis is often dry and itchy, the most commonly used treatment is the application of lotions or creams to keep the skin as moist as possible. One of the most important components of a treatment plan is to prevent scratching.

Finally, in cases where eczema does not respond to therapy, your doctor may prescribe the drug cyclosporine A, which modifies immune response; however, this is used only in extreme situations because of its association with serious side effects.