ECZEMA

Today's topic is eczema, it is common skin condition marked by itchy and inflamed patches of skin it's also known as atopic dermatitis, it is more common in babies and young children and often occurs on the faces of infants it also often appears inside the elbows and behind the knees of children teenagers and adults. 

Doctors don't know exactly what causes eczema the current thinking is that eczema is caused by a combination of factors that include genetics abnormal function of the immune system environment activities that may cause skin to be more sensitive defects in the skin barrier that allow moisture out and germs in examples of other things that can irritate the skin include soaps and cleansers perfume makeup dust and sand chlorine solvents irritants in the environment cigarette smoke signs and symptoms the symptoms of atopic dermatitis can vary depending on the age of the person with the condition rashes commonly appear increases of the elbows or knees or the nape of the neck rashes cover much of the body rashes can be especially prominent on the neck face and around the eyes rashes can cause very dry skin rashes can be permanently itchy rashes in adults can be more scaly than those occurring in children rashes can lead to skin infections the appearance of skin affected by atopic dermatitis will depend on how much a person scratches and whether the skin is infected scratching and rubbing further irritate the skin increasing inflammation and make a cheetah's worse.

DIAGNOSIS:

No lab tests is needed to identify atopic dermatitis or eczema your doctor will likely make a diagnosis by examining your skin and reviewing your medical history he or she may also use patch testing or other tests to rule out other skin diseases or identify conditions that accompany your eczema.

TREATMENT:

Treatment creams that control itching and help repair the skin your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid cream or ointment drugs to fight infection, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic cream if your skin has an bacterial infection an open sore or cracks he or she may recommend taking oral antibiotics for a short time to treat an infection oral drugs that control inflammation for more severe cases your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids newer option for severe eczema.