Is it possible for eczema to spread? Key information on the subject.
Eczema is a common group of inflammatory skin conditions that affect over 31 million people in the United States. These conditions cause sore, itchy, or flaky skin, and understanding the triggers can help manage and prevent flare-ups.
Common triggers for eczema flare-ups include irritants such as soaps, detergents, shampoos, disinfectants, and contact with rough fabrics like wool. Allergens, such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold, and certain foods like eggs, milk, soy, and nuts, can also cause flare-ups. Environmental factors, such as cold, dry weather, excessive heat, and sweating, as well as emotional stress, can worsen eczema symptoms. Infections, hormonal changes, and excessive sweating from exercise or heat can also irritate the skin.
To ease symptoms during a flare-up, cold compresses can be beneficial. Preventing future flare-ups may involve identifying eczema triggers, managing stress, getting tested for allergies, removing common irritants, using gentle skin products, keeping the home at a comfortable temperature, wearing loose-fitting clothes, regularly washing fabrics in contact with the skin, and wearing gloves while washing up or cleaning.
Treating flare-ups as quickly as possible can help remove the temptation to scratch, as the itch-scratch cycle can cause eczema to spread. This cycle occurs when itching triggers the release of inflammatory substances, creating more inflammation and causing rashes to get bigger or spread. Emollients can form a protective barrier over the skin during a flare-up, providing relief.
Infected eczema may require topical or oral antibiotic treatment. Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, is more likely in people with a family history of eczema, asthma, or allergies. Lack of the protein filaggrin, which helps protect the outermost layer of the skin, can contribute to the development of eczema.
Corticosteroid creams can reduce inflammation in eczema flare-ups, while some people may benefit from antihistamines to help relieve itching. For severe eczema, immunosuppressant tablets can help suppress the immune system from launching an inflammatory response.
Eczema in infants is commonly found on the cheeks, forehead, scalp, neck, legs, while in children and adults, it is most common on the face, neck, upper chest, wrists, hands, fingers, backs of the knees, elbow creases, ankles, and feet. People should contact a doctor if they experience severe eczema, lesions producing pus, difficulty treating eczema with over-the-counter products, or if eczema affects their daily life.
Moisturizer should be applied liberally and frequently throughout the day during a flare-up. Remember, knowledge is power, and understanding eczema triggers and treatments can help manage this condition and improve the quality of life for those affected.
- The health-and-wellness industry has established various entities targeting personas with eczema, providing scientific research on the skin condition and suggestions for easing symptoms.
- Ads for medical-conditions such as eczema, skin-care products, and mental-health resources are increasingly visible, helping to break the stigma associated with these skin conditions.
- Hst (histamine) triggers can worsen eczema symptoms by causing itchiness and inflammation, making it crucial for treaters to consider possible allergens during treatment.
- Skin-care routines for those managing eczema should include gentle products, frequent moisturizing, and avoiding irritants like harsh soaps and disinfectants.
- Certain skin-conditions, like eczema, have a strong link with mental-health issues like stress and anxiety, reinforcing the importance of addressing mental well-being as part of treatment plans.
- Infants, children, and adults alike may experience eczema on various parts of the body, with unique locations such as the cheeks, forearms, and ankles requiring specialized care and treatment.
