subject: Dealing With Skin Eczema [print this page] The term skin eczema is generally applied to a variety of unrelenting skin conditions. Although many people consider this ailment as a skin problem, others are still confused about the term since its indications are also manifested in atopic dermatitis. In fact either the term eczema or atopic dermatitis can either be used for this condition. Eczema is commonly described as a group of skin ailments which results in irritated, swollen, and itchy skin.
Skin eczema is actually a general term for different skin ailments. One of the skin conditions which is associated with eczema is atomic dermatitis itself. Along with atomic dermatitis are seborrheic dermatitis, hand dermatitis, and nummular dermatitis. Even the presence of a rash on the skin can be associated with eczema.
You may be curious about which common factors or elements can cause skin eczema. There are several ways in which eczema can develop. Frequent exposure to detergent or a little exposure to battery acid can cause eczema to develop, specifically the irritant contact type of dermatitis. Allergen also stimulates an allergic contact type of dermatitis. Once an allergen touches ones skin, allergic contact dermatitis develops. Nickel and poison ivy are common kinds of allergens. Compared to poison ivy, nickel is more likely to cause allergic contact dermatitis since many of the objects that we use in our daily activities contain nickel. Among such objects are jewelry, buttons, eyeglass frames, and coins.
There are many other causes of eczema, however, people are often generally unaware of them because of their complicated nature. Researchers perceive that the occurrence of atopic dermatitis is due to a combination of many elements or factors. Some of these factors are an overactive response of the immune system, genes inheritance, and the barrier defect, more commonly known as the skin gap. Gaps in the skin permit the fast reduction of water on the skin and resulting dryness. It is also through skin gaps that germs are able to enter into the human body.
The development of seborrheic dermatitis is due to an interaction of different relevant factors. What are these factors? It can be down to the yeast that resides on the human skin and the inherited genes of a person. Even the climate and stress cause seborrheic dermatitis. Studies have shown that people who currently suffer from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV can experience a severe seborrheic dermatitis.
Normally, a dermatologist will refer back to a patient's medical history once any indication of skin eczema is noticed. This is to add confirmation to the diagnosis. A dermatologist upon noticing signs of allergic reaction may resort to a test known as a patch test. This test is a very effective determining factor for substances that cause allergy to a person.
It is most advisable that an eczema sufferer seeks help from a dermatologist. Although eczema is sometimes easily diagnosed, treating it is not necessarily easy, so the services of a dermatologist are a must. It is in your own interest to seek their help immediately symptoms of eczema are noticed.
