October is Eczema Awareness Month

Tag Archives: Children’s Eczema

Woman with Eczema

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease that affects more than 31 million people in the US alone. And with October winding down let us not forget Eczema Awareness Month. This month is the perfect opportunity to highlight the common condition to provide a better understanding of it.

Eczema usually presents as dry, red, and itchy patches on the skin that break out in rashes when scratched. Treatment usually involves avoiding scratching, using moisturizers, cold compresses, and anti-inflammatory creams or ointments. More commonly seen in children, the condition can affect people of all ages. 

Help those who have eczema live their best life. Spreading awareness provides individuals dealing with the condition an opportunity to better manage it. If you or someone you know is affected by eczema, October is a good time to seek out resources and get further education on the condition.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), National Eczema Association

As discussed in a previous post, eczema is an autoimmune skin condition that can be worsened by certain irritants. The key to managing eczema is to avoid those irritants and appropriately care for your skin. Some ways to do that include…

Caring for Eczema

  • MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE!!!!!!!!! Use either a cream or lotion, depending on which is best for your skin specifically.
  • Moisturize immediately after showering and then as needed throughout the day. Try using Cetaphil or Cerave.
  • Take cooler, shorter showers. Will help prevent your skin from being stripped from too much moisture.
  • Wash with gentle soaps. Dove soap, Purpose bar soap or Basis bar soap are all great options.
  • Soak in bath oils. Soothes the skin and helps to alleviate itching.
  • Put a humidifier in the bedroom. Adds moisture to the air, thus providing the skin with more hydration.
  • Clean your clothes with products that are fragrance and dye free. Try Tide (free & gentle) detergent, Downy (free & gentle) fabric softener, and Bounce (free & gentle) dryer sheets.

 

Since eczema is a chronic skin condition it is also important to use medications prescribed as directed. With effective treatment, you can keep eczema under control.

Eczema is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by itchy red bumps on the skin. The skin starts out rather itchy (progressively becoming worse), thereafter developing into a rash. The rash tends to be very dry and scaly in appearance, but is not contagious.

Eczema

The exact cause of Eczema is unknown and can arise at any age. It is most prevalent in infants and young adults. It was recently reported that it is on the rise as the biggest skin disease for children nowadays. In older sufferers, eczema typically occurs on the hands or feet, but may appear anywhere on the body. Certain foods, allergens, or bacteria have been known to all be contributors to the condition.

Although there may be no cure for eczema, understanding certain irritants is crucial in prevention or re occurrence. If you believe you may be experiencing eczema contact our office at 716-688-0020 today. The earlier treatment is made, the more manageable the condition.