Sources of Eczema Information

Places of interest to learn more about eczema:
The National Eczema Society.Free information for eczema and dermatitis sufferers.
AAD: Eczema/Atopic DermatitisPatient information from the American Academy of Dermatology, including adescription of the condition, treatment information, and links.
Medinfo: EczemaEasy to understand information for patients on eczema.
Eczema treatment and support. Eczema care treatment products and ...Eczema care treatment and support for eczema sufferers. Eczema care skin treatmentproducts and information.
Eczema: Tips on How to Care for Your Skin -- familydoctor.orgEczema and dermatitis - cause, symptoms and treatmentConcise factsheet explaining the causes, symptoms and treatment of eczema.
Psoriasis, Eczema, and Dermatitis Picture and Lifestyle Treatment ...Dermatitis-Ltd III effectively improves the skin beauty, and appearance ofseborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.

Likely Causes of Contact Dermatitis

The number of potential irritants is very large and contact eczema may occur thru with one or more of the following irritants:
Acids
Adhesives and glues
Alkalis
Aromatic chemicals
Bacteria
Cement
Chemical salts
Ethylene oxide and other gases
Foods
Fungi
Glass fibers
Metals - silver, gold, arsenic, beryllium, mercury, and others
Oils and greases
Plants (stems, leaves and extracts)
Sawdust
Soaps and detergents
Solvents
Tar and asphalt

The Picture of Perioral Dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis affects mostly women. It rarely occurs in men.
Groups of itchy or tender small red spots appear most often around the mouth. They spare the skin bordering the lips (which then appears pale) but develop on the chin, upper lip and cheeks. The skin surface becomes dry and flaky. In addition to redness around the mouth, the symptoms of perioarl dermatitis may also include small red bumps or even pus bumps and mild peeling.Often the skin around the nose is affected too, and sometimes that around the eyes (when it should more correctly be called "periocular", or better still, "periorificial" dermatitis.)Patients who are susceptible to perioral dermatitis tend to have an oily face, at least in the affected areas.
Perioral dermatitis is probably induced by:
Neglecting to wash the face with soap or preferably a soap-free cleanser and water.
Applying face creams regularly to the area bounded by the cheek folds and chin, or around the eyes in the case of periocular dermatitis. These creams include moisturisers, cream cleansers, make-up foundation, and sunscreens.
Applying topical steroid creams to the same area. The more potent the steroid cream, the more rapid and severe the perioral dermatitis which may result.
The reason why perioral dermatitis arises is unknown. Recent research suggests it may be related to proliferating bacteria in the hair follicles.
Stress often tends to aggravate or cause a breakout to occur in those suseptable to perioral dermatitis.Luckily perioral dermatitis responds well to treatment.
Discontinue applying all face creams including topical steroids, cosmetics and sunscreens.
Note: when a steroid cream is discontinued, the rash gets worse for a few days before it starts to improve.
Do not apply face creams in the affected areas in the future, as the rash is very likely to reappear. Choose a liquid, gel or light milk sunscreen.
Wash the face with warm water alone while the rash is present. When it has cleared up, wash with a non-soap bar or liquid cleanser and water.
Your doctor or dermatologist will usually also prescribe a course of oral antibiotics for six to twelve weeks. Normally tetracycline or one of its derivatives is recommended. Antibiotic lotions tend to be less effective.Perioral dermatitis sometimes recurs when the antibiotics are discontinued, or at a later date. The same treatment can be taken again.
Treatments include using a non-tartar, non-fluoride toothpaste. Lip balms, lipstick, or toothpaste can also cause perioral dermatitis

Discoid Eczema

Discoid eczema, also called nummular eczema or gravitational eczema is usually found in adults and appears suddenly as a few coin shaped areas of red skin; normally on the trunk or lower legs. It may look similar to ringworm. These areas become itchy and can weep fluid. Usually discoid eczema is treated with emollients (and steroid creams if necessary).It can be considered as an adult form of atopic eczema. It can be complicated by a bacterial infection which causes weeping and crusting.
The word "nummular" comes from the Latin nummus, meaning coin, and is characterized by round plaques of eczema. Eruptions of nummular eczema are often recurrent and chronic and usually appear in people who are in their 60s but can occur at any age. The cause of nummular eczema is not known, but it usually occurs in cold weather and is most common in people who have dry skin. Hot weather and stress can aggravate this condition, as can the following:
Fabric softeners
Allergies
Soaps and detergents
Wool clothing
Bathing more than once a day.

Eczema Medications

The following medications are most commonly used to treat eczema: Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine which is used to help decrease the amount of itching. These medications may cause drowsiness. Some new antihistamines are also available that do not cause drowsiness; Topical steroid creams used to help to decrease the inflammation in the skin, thus decreasing the itching and swelling. Many topical steroids in various strengths are available. Steroids, if overused, are potentially damaging to the skin. Other options include oral antibiotics; oral cyclosporine designed to suppress the immune system; phototherapy; topical immunomodulators which are a new class of drugs for the treatment of eczema. These drugs are used topically to alter the immune response.

Eczema Facts

Eczema is characterized by a rash, dryness of skin, itching, and redness of skin (Rouse). The symptoms of eczema occur due to the overproduction of damaging inflammatory skin cells and continue to worsen as a result of certain factors in the environment. The cause of eczema can be traced to environmental factors. Foods, shampoos, soaps, laundry detergents, synthetic fabrics, stress, and temperature changes are capable of irritating already existing eczema and may even be the cause of a new eczema condition. Although eczema is a chronic skin condition, there are various forms of treatment and interventions available to help control eczema. Eczema is a hereditary condition and thus is not contagious to others. A general picture of eczema can encompass different stages. Some people may have only a small patch of affected skin while others may have larger patches all over the body. An individual may experience one mild eczema outbreak while others experience chronic severe incidences of eczema. In some cases after an eczema outbreak the skin remains more reactive than it was prior to the outbreak. The eczema-affected skin is very sensitive and the individual must be aware of the trigger factors and try to avoid them

Treatment Tips for Eczema

Treatment tips for eczema are like opinions; there are many of them. One obvious tip is to stay away from substances that cause reactions. Keep the skin as healthy as possible. When bathing, use soaps that are not harsh to the skin. Do not use any cortisone products that contain steroids. Steroid-bases products are known to have many side effects and should be avoided.Diet is very important. Some common foods known to contain allergens that can aggravate the body are daily products such as milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt. Eggs should be avoided. Crustacean meat should be greatly reduced or avoided altogether. Lobster, shrimp, squid, prawns, clams, oysters, and other crustaceans can cause allergic reactions. Salmon should also be avoided along with calcium supplements and color dyes, especially Yellow #5. Additional allergens are products containing NutraSweet. Mushrooms sometime cause reactions for eczema sufferers and should not be eaten. Hot, spicy foods can cause intestinal inflammation which can cause outbreaks of eczema.

Varicose Eczema

Varicose eczema or stasis dermatitis occurs in the middle to late years of life and appears on the lower legs. It is caused by poor circulation. It is also called stasis eczema. It affects the ankles, which become speckled, itchy and inflamed. It is frequently treated with emollients and steroid creams. If untreated, an ulcer may develop.
A common problem that is associated with varicose ulcers is contact allergic eczema caused by medications applied to the skin such as steroids, topical antibiotics, lanolin and also preservatives in various preparations. If this is suspected, skin patch testing may help to identify the problematic substance.