Eczema : What Is Atopic Eczema
Ray Lam
Eczema is a terrible condition for those that suffer from it and to make matters worse medical science still doesn't fully understand what triggers the condition; the genetic link remains to be proved. Irrespective of the cause, sufferers all have one thing in common; dry, itchy red skin. In serious cases the skin becomes blistered with scabs forming around the affected area.
The most common type is known generally as atopic eczema; some are even specific to certain areas of the body but one common problem among all of them is itching. Unfortunately, with atopic eczema, scratching these affected areas aggravates the condition more even though it does bring temporary relief from the itching. People who suffer with this also have to stay clear of many everyday substances because using those makes the condition far worse; sufferers avoid contact with soaps and washing powders but other man-made items such as make-up can have the same effect as well.
The situation in small children doesn't look as severe at first as the patchy red skin is not on the skins surface but below it. There are occasions where a person with eczema can have a rash but it is not itchy; in these situations it is not the disorder causing the problem as itching is the one consistent factor with the condition. However, if the itching has been somehow improved by eczema treatment but the rash has not, then the rash may not be related to the itch.
Another problem to be aware of before this disorder is diagnosed, is that other conditions have itching as a symptom of a medical condition. Keep in mind though that eczema without a rash does not exist and it is still a problem today to fully understand the cause of itching. One of the more noticeable symptoms of is the red skin in the location of the rash which is caused by increased blood flow.
With eczema, the skin can become inflamed for many reasons because it is already highly sensitive; one area that causes concern is where there is a bacterial infection which can easily be the result of scratching sensitive skin. Most blisters seen as part of the symptoms are quite small but large blisters can also occur; a bacterial infection or a condition of your particular skin type many be the cause of this. These blisters may contain small amounts of fluid and in some cases a pus; sufferers are advised never to burst them and create further infection in an already highly sensitive area.
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