subject: Signs Of Eczema [print this page] Eczema is a lot more than a tiny problem for anybody that has ever had to deal with it. Most people think eczema is a condition that must be diagnosed from childhood but in reality, the onset can some at any age and for many reasons. Even contact with a skin irritant like a cleaning product or laundry detergent can cause an outbreak of eczema.
What to Look For
You should know that family history plays a huge part in diagnosing eczema, so if you're aware that other members of your family have or have experienced eczema, it's important for you to look out for the signs of eczema. Signs of eczema include:
* Intensely itching skin * Burning skin * Redness or dryness in the effected area * Blisters or lesions that may seep * Thick or crusted skin * Flaky skin * Inflamed skin
In the case of contact eczema - created by contact with some kind of irritant of the skin - the signs of eczema tend to be limited to a few hours and are localized - with the trouble area only being whatever area of the body touched the irritant.
Diagnosing Eczema
Although doctors have the capability to notice the eczema signs by simply taking a look at the skin, in more severe cases a skin biopsy may be taken to rule out other skin condition that present in a similar way to eczema. If the problem is believed to be contact eczema, allergy tests will likely be done to attempt to determine what cause of the skin reaction. The culprit could be just about anything - from laundry detergent to a household cleaner. In some cases rubber gloves have been known to produce eczema.
The Bottom Line
With a lot more learned about eczema and the things that cause it, treatments are becoming more efficient all the time. That's why it's important to consider your family history with the condition and stay vigilant about looking for signs in yourself. Nobody has to deal with eczema with the improvements being made each day.
