Eczema: Causes, Symptoms, Remedies and Preventions

Eczema: Causes, Symptoms, Remedies and Preventions

Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a group of skin conditions which can affect all age groups. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding.

Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, eczema is not contagious. With treatment the inflammation of eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care.

The causes of eczema are many and varied, and depend on the particular type of eczema that a person has.

Atopic eczema is thought to be a hereditary condition, being genetically linked. It is proposed that people with atopic eczema are sensitive to allergens in the environment which are harmless to others. In atopy there is an excessive reaction by the immune system producing inflamed, irritated and sore skin.

Associated atopic conditions include asthma and hayfever. Other types of eczema are caused by irritants such as chemicals and detergents, allergens such as nickel, and yeast growths. In later years eczema can be caused by a blood circulatory problems in the legs. The causes of certain types of eczema remain to be explained, though links with environmental factors and stress are being explored.

Eczema Symptoms

Whatever the cause, eczema leads to itching and redness, and may make the skin dry and flaky. Sometimes itchy blisters form. The surface of the skin may become moist and crusty if these blisters burst, or when scratching damages the skin. Atopic eczema is often worse in the folds of the skin where the limbs bend. The itch is intense, but scratching only makes the symptoms worse. Eczema makes the skin more sensitive, so you may notice that you are more irritated by cosmetics, soaps, detergents, etc. Eczema in infants is most commonly seen as a patch below the chin or cradle cap.

The common symptoms of eczema are:

- Itch
- Redness
- Thickening
- Blisters
- Crusts

Eczema Home remedies

- Put natural vitamin E on the affected skin, it will relieve you of itching.

- Rub nutmeg against a smooth stone with a few drops of water. Make a smooth paste and apply.

- Add 1 tbsp turmeric powder to a tbsp of bitter neem leaves. Grind to paste and apply.

- Apply a mixture of 1 tsp camphor and 1 tsp sandalwood paste on the rashes.

- Drink tomato juice daily, it will cure the symptoms in a few days.

- Zinc taken orally and applied directly on the affected skin is effective.

- Shark cartilage and lotion of blueberry leaves reduce inflammation.

- Use pine tar soap to wash the affected skin.