The Eczema Symptom Picture

Eczema is characterized by a rash, dryness of skin, itching, and redness of skin.

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. One such mild yet effective treatment is Dermatitis-Ltd.

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.

Dust Mites May Affect Eczema

Dust mites, which infest even the cleanest homes and thrive in bedding and carpets, disrupt the protective function of the skin, leaving it vulnerable to other allergens and irritants in the environment, a study has found.
House dust mites and their droppings have long been linked to attacks of asthma and eczema, and a group of researchers in Japan has offered an explanation as to how that happens.
In a paper to be published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the researchers found that mites and their faeces contain an enzyme, which destroys the protective function of the skin, leaving it vulnerable to other irritants.
"People go to hospital only after they develop severe (skin) disease, but little is known as to what happened or what caused it," Toshiro Takai of the Atopy (Allergy) Research Center at the Juntendo University School of Medicine in Tokyo told Reuters.
"Our study suggests that it may be due to the disruption of the barrier function of the skin (by the dust mite)."
In their experiment, the scientists dabbed hairless mice with solution containing the mite enzyme and observed that the rodents soon suffered water loss on their skins.
They then dabbed the mice with riboflavin - or vitamin B2 - which is accepted in the scientific community as a substitute for allergens and irritants in the environment.
"We observed in the mice transepidermal water loss, which is an indication of disruption of the skin barrier. We also observed the penetration of riboflavin into the skin," Takai said.
Takai said the finding provides an explanation for skin-related allergies in humans and he hopes dermatologists would investigate more closely into the role of the dust mite.
"In a healthy person, the barrier is complete and irritants can't get into the skin. But partial disruption of the barrier facilitates passage of allergens and other irritants," he said.
According to the World Health Organisation, asthma affected 300 million people worldwide in 2005, killing 255,000 of them. The death figure is expected to increase by 20 percent in 10 years' time if urgent action if not taken.

Reuters Health

AN ECZEMA VACCINE?

A Swiss firm has developed a vaccine that it says can ward off common allergies such as asthma, eczema and hay fever. The vaccine by Cytos Biotechnology has been tested on humans and contains harmless DNA similar to that found in the TB bug, reported the online edition of Daily Mail. Rates of asthma have doubled in the past 20 years, with the condition affecting five million in England alone. Figures for hay fever have also soared, with one in four suffering an allergy to pollen. Up to 2,400 children a year are taken to hospital with severe eczema, contributing to the health service's annual one billion pounds bill.According to Muriel Simmons, chief executive of the charity Allergy UK, the new jab has the power to transform people's lives. In a trial, 20 men and women with asthma and house dust mite allergy were given the vaccine once a week for six weeks. Eight months later, symptoms in 17 of the 20 had all but disappeared. Tests showed they were at least 100 times more tolerant to dust mites than before. "The results we have had look quite spectacular. We think this is a one size fits all treatment," Cytos chief executive Dr Wolfgang Renner said. It is hoped the single jab with the power to protect against asthma, eczema and hay fever will be on sale by 2010. Source-IANSSRM Medindia on General Info about Allergy People who are known to be allergic, respond to harmless allergens in an exaggerated manner thus resulting in irritations and discomfort to the body.There are several types of allergies like: Hay Fever, Asthma, Eczema, Hives, Contact Dermatitis (Skin Reactions), Conjunctivitis...
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