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What is eczema?

Date Posted:1 March 2023 

Eczema is a common, lifelong condition that causes the skin to become itchy and to flare up in red, inflamed patches. It's thought to be linked with other conditions such as asthma and hay fever. Children are more likely to develop eczema than adults, but anyone can get it at any age.

 

Eczema symptoms include dry, red, itchy and sometimes blistery skin. In chronic eczema cases, these patches may produce an unpleasant smell as they weep fluid when scratched. This is called "exudation." Eczema also tends to flare up around certain times of year (for example, springtime), or other triggers such as stress or heat/cold extreme weather.

Although there is no medical cure for eczema, paying close attention to skin care and avoiding harsh chemicals can improve eczema greatly. The underlying condition is often hereditary, and triggered by dietary allergens, sensitivities to chemicals and stress.

 

 

Types of eczema

There are many different types of eczema, but they're all caused by inflammation in the skin's outer layer. This inflammation can be triggered by genetics, an allergic reaction to something in your environment or diet, or an infection.

Atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis - Usually presents in childhood and is characterised by dry, red and itchy skin commonly in the crease of the elbows and behind the knees. Eczema on the face is also common in children and infants.

Contact dermatitis - Triggered when the skin comes into contact with an allergen or irritating chemical. Dishwashing liquid and hand soap are among the worst for triggering flare ups. Contact dermatitis commonly causes eczema on the hands due to frequent hand washing.

Dyshidrotic eczema - Characterized by small itchy blisters, usually on the hands and the feet. Scratching the blisters causes the skin to break and the result is dry, cracked and sore skin.

Nummular eczema - Also known as discoid eczema can develop at any age. It is characterized by coin shaped itchy spots on the skin.

Seborrehic dermatitis - Found commonly where there are more sebaceous (oil secreting) glands, causing eczema on the scalp. This form of eczema tends to be more chronic, and things such as hormones and yeast organisms that live on the skin may contribute to symptoms.

 

Where can eczema appear on the body

Eczema is a skin condition that ranges in severity from mild to severe. Eczema can affect any part of the body, including the hands and feet. In some cases, eczema can be so severe that it needs to be treated with prescription medications.

Eczema can appear on the body in many different places. Eczema can appear on the face, neck, hands and arms, legs and ankles, scalp, vulva, groin and buttocks. It can also be found on the chest, abdomen and back. In severe cases of eczema, it may appear on the soles of the feet. It is important to avoid skin and body care containing chemicals, to minimise flare ups. Using a gentle and fragrance free eczema body wash is paramount, whilst also incorporating weekly exfoliation with Eco by Sonya Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub, which suitable for both, eczema and psoriasis sufferers.  

Eczema is a long term condition that can flare up at any time and last for days or weeks at a time. It's also unpredictable, meaning that your symptoms may vary in severity from day to day. Some people have mild symptoms that only flare up occasionally, while others experience severe itching and skin inflammation on an ongoing basis. Some people find their eczema gets worse during certain seasons of the year; others experience no seasonal variation at all. 

 

 

Is eczema an autoimmune disease?

Eczema is a skin condition that causes inflammation and irritation. It is not an autoimmune disease, but it can be one of the symptoms of an autoimmune disease.

In fact, eczema is caused by a combination of different factors. It can be hereditary, but it also has to do with a person's genetic makeup and their environment. The most common causes of eczema include dry skin, allergies, and stress.

While many people believe that eczema is an autoimmune disease, the truth is that it isn't actually considered to be one. Instead, eczema is caused by an overactive immune system - which means that there are too many antibodies fighting against foreign substances in your body (like pollen or dust mites). If you have allergies or asthma, this can lead to an increased risk for developing eczema as well as other autoimmune disorders like psoriasis or lupus.

The good news is that eczema can be managed - and there are lots of ways to do it! Here are some tips:

  1. Use a gentle soap when you shower or bathe. Avoid soaps with perfumes or dyes.
  2. Apply moisturiser after bathing or showering, and always use a fragrance free formula.
  3. Use a humidifier in your home during the winter months and when air quality is poor. This helps prevent dryness and irritation from worsening the symptoms of eczema.
  4. Avoid scratching or picking at your skin - this only makes the problem worse! If you must scratch due to severe discomfort, try applying this eczema relief gel first before resorting to scratching yourself raw!

 

Can eczema be caused by stress?

It's important to note that stress doesn't cause or cure eczema - it can just make existing symptoms worse or trigger flare ups if you're susceptible to them.

There are many different factors that can contribute to eczema, including allergies and deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals. However, one of the leading causes of this condition is stress.

When you're under a lot of stress, your body releases cortisol, which is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands. This hormone may cause flare ups in your eczema symptoms because it affects the immune system and causes inflammation in the body.

If you suspect that stress could be causing your eczema symptoms, try taking steps to reduce it before deciding if medication is necessary:

  • Try getting more sleep each night; being well rested can help keep cortisol levels down and reduce inflammation in your body.
  • Take deep breaths whenever you feel yourself becoming stressed out; focusing on breathing deeply instead of worrying about things will help calm down your nervous system so that cortisol isn't released as much during stressful situations.

 

 

Eczema and gut health

While there are many known triggers for eczema (such as stress and allergies), there's also evidence that the gut microbiome plays a role in its development. This is because the gut is a source of inflammation, which may trigger eczema symptoms.

Eczema is also linked with gut health issues such as leaky gut syndrome and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Gut health refers to how well your digestive system works: how efficiently it breaks down food, absorbs nutrients from food, and moves waste out of your body. If these processes aren't working properly, they can cause problems throughout your body including eczema flare ups as well as other health issues like allergies or asthma attacks.

Taking a probiotic daily can improve your immune system and overall bodily functions. Having a good gut microbiome is linked to having healthier skin microbiome. This way, taking probiotics can help in the bodily processes that keep your skin strong and healthy.

Vegan omega 3 is another nutrient that can help with managing eczema. Omega 3 fatty acids are an important part of a healthy diet, because they're responsible for keeping your brain and heart healthy, as well as maintaining your joints and bones. Omega 3s also play a role in regulating inflammation in the body, including in the skin. Because omega 3s have this anti inflammatory effect on the body, they can help to reduce symptoms of eczema when taken as a supplement. Vegan omega 3 supplement is a sustainable, ethical and effective way to get this nutrient in.

 

Is eczema contagious?

Although eczema can look a little alarming when it is aggravated, eczema is most definitely not contagious and cannot be passed from one another through skin contact.

Eczema is not contagious, but it is often aggravated by allergens like food or pollen. The most common triggers are gluten and dairy products.

Eczema can also be caused by a number of factors, including genetics and environmental factors such as skin irritants and allergens. However, it's not contagious; you can't catch eczema from someone else.

 

 

Psoriasis vs eczema

Some people also get psoriasis with their eczema (known as "psoriasis vulgaris").

Unlike eczema, which is often an allergic response to an irritating stimulant, psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. In psoriasis, there is an error in the cell turn over of the skin, resulting in the accumulation of excess skin cells. Low vitamin D levels are associated with autoimmune conditions, which is why most psoriasis suffers have a marked improvement in the summer when they are exposed to UV rays and increased vitamin D.

Although different underlying causes, both eczema and psoriasis are characterised by dry, red and irritated skin. Natural treatments such as this eczema and psoriasis cream for newborns, that help support the moisture of the skin and decrease inflammation and itching can be used for both conditions.

Psoriasis can affect any part of the body, but most commonly appears on the elbows, knees, scalp and back. It's thought to be an autoimmune disorder that affects your immune system - the body's natural defence against infection and disease.

Psoriasis symptoms may vary depending on where they appear on your body:

  • Scalp psoriasis causes red patches covered with silvery scales (scales are flakes of dead skin cells) or thinning hair; this type often begins at childhood or adolescence.
  • Nail psoriasis causes thickening nails that peel off from around their tips; nail ridges sometimes develop at their bases too. This type often occurs during middle age onwards - some people notice changes in their nails before any other signs appear elsewhere on their bodies!

 

How to treat eczema?

You can manage your eczema by taking steps to avoid triggers and use moisturising creams or eczema ointment regularly.

Those with eczema will each have a different set of allergies and triggers. That said, there are a few general rules that someone with eczema can follow as well as some general tips to help manage and prevent flare ups.  When it comes to skincare, hydration is key. Youā€™ll want to apply whatā€™s known as an emollient to your eczema prone areas. Emollients are thicker moisturiser formulas that are water free. An emollient moisturiser or cream can help protect that outer layer of skin thatā€™s so sensitive to flare ups. The trick is to keep up the hydration and moisturising even when there are no eczema flare ups present.

If you have eczema prone skin that likely means you have sensitive skin all over. Whether you have eczema on your face or in concentrated areas on your body, itā€™s best you stick to skincare for sensitive skin. This will reduce the chance of any of your skincare ingredients accidentally triggering an eczema flare up. We suggest using a moisturiser for sensitive skin on your face and body. The Acure sensitive range (which comes on pink packaging) has some of the best moisturiser for sensitive skin that weā€™ve tried. Alternatively, you might like to try organic coconut oil for eczema. Organic coconut oil is a great emollient for hydrating eczema prone skin. You can use raw coconut oil or you can choose skincare that contains organic coconut oil.

Weā€™ve tried many of the creams on the market and have found that too many are still packed with cheap fillers and binders. The best eczema cream for babies is one that is natural and chemical free. We love the Little Innocents Baby Intensive Soothing Calendula Cream as itā€™s a blend of calendula and pure plant oils, aimed at soothing the baby's delicate skin. 

Little ones have very sensitive skin, which can make them prone to eczema. The best cream for baby eczema is one thatā€™s not too thick so it can rub in gently. We love this eczema relief cream, as itā€™s great at treating not just eczema but a range of skin irritations that babies might get, including nappy rush.

 

 

What to do if suffer from depression or anxiety due to eczema symptoms

If you're feeling depressed and anxious, it's important to talk to your doctor. They can help you get the right treatment for your symptoms.

Talking about how you feel is also helpful - you might be surprised at how much other people will understand what it's like for someone with eczema, especially if that person has been through similar things themselves!

If you have a child with eczema, talk to their doctor about treatments that could help them feel better. If the itch is causing your child to be anxious or depressed, get treatment for these issues as well. Your child's skin will always be delicate and sensitive - even when it's not inflamed by eczema - so use only products on them that are approved for use on infants (or other young children) and that are gentle and chemical free.

 

Final thoughts

Eczema is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be painful and frustrating to live with, but there are treatments available that can help control the symptoms. If you think you or someone in your family may have eczema, make sure to use products that are gentle, fragrance free and suitable for eczema prone skin!

 

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