subject: Skin Eczema - Preventing Skin Irritation [print this page] The term "skin eczema" is often used to refer to any skin condition such as rashes and similar symptoms. Atopic dermatitis is a specific skin condition that can be related to eczema. It is easily triggered by some kinds of allergies. Normally, skin eczema would feel so itchy that most patients can simply not help but scratch. As the affected area is being scratched, the skin inflames and turns red. No particular age is exclusively affected by eczema. In fact, both adults and children can be victims of skin eczema. However, the majority of cases appear in infants.
On the lighter side, skin eczema is not characterized as a contagious condition. Eczema can be traced family history. If your family has a background in this particular skin condition, then there is a significant possibility that you will also have eczema at some stage. There is no known cure for skin eczema. However, there is no need to overreact to this, as there are ways to effectively manage the condition. Some tips are given here to help prevent the condition from developing.
Prevention remains the best way to manage skin eczema. It is always best to Limit your interaction with material that can potentially irritate the skin. Common things that can be a contributing factor to skin irritation are detergents, household cleansers, gasoline, aftershave lotions, turpentine, soap, and some other kinds of solvents. In addition, wetness and some kinds of soap can trigger skin irritation, so it is better to use only mild soaps when washing hands. After washing hands, make sure they are thoroughly dried.
If, when working, your hands are mostly exposed to water, make sure plastic or vinyl gloves are worn at all times. Wearing of gloves is also advisable if you are exposed into any materials or substances that are known to cause skin irritation. However, gloves should be occasionally taken off to avoid the development of sweat within the gloves themselves. Even the wrong choice of clothing can trigger eczema in some people. Synthetic fabrics and wools are common clothing materials that may trigger skin irritation. If prone to this condition, then it may be better to choose cotton material.
Skin eczema can also be medically managed by consulting an expert. Use a prescribed medicine from your doctor. Apply it immediately every after taking a bath. Mostly, medicines for eczema treatment are steroid based and are applied by rubbing them in to the infected area of the skin. However, to make sure that you are doing the right thing, always refer to your doctor to verify its proper application and follow his direction. If no improvement is seen after three weeks, make a point of revisiting your doctor.
The use of moisturizer can also help. Moisturizer makes your skin flexible and soft, preventing cracks from occurring. The best kind of moisturizer is a plain one since it contains minimal ingredients. Furthermore, refrain from scratching the affected area despite it feeling very itchy. Your skin will break if scratched and as a result, bacteria find their way in and cause infection. Use moisturizers to help with the itchiness.
Skin eczema is a condition that can be managed only by you. Since it has no cure, the only thing that you can do now is to learn how to manage it well.
