Archive for June, 2009

Eczema Scalp Eczema

Monday, June 8th, 2009

Eczema is an extremely common problem—it affects children and adults alike. IT can also affect various parts of the body, from the legs, to the elbows, to the scalp. In fact, scalp eczema is one of the most common forms of eczema, perhaps because the skin on the scalp is different from the skin anywhere else on the body.

Why The Scalp?

The scalp is especially vulnerable to eczema, because the skin on the scalp is so unique. The sebaceous glands on your scalp produce a large amount of grease, and the scalp contains hair follicles as well. These characteristics alone make the skin on the scalp different.

Other environmental factors make the scalp more vulnerable to scalp eczema. The truth of the matter is, your head receives more exposure than other parts of your body to direct sunlight, heat, and cold. Additionally, your hair and scalp are exposed to cosmetic procedures that might damage your skin, such as shampooing and perm.

Is It Scalp Eczema, Or Seborrhoeic Dermatitis

Another name for this condition “scalp eczema” is seborrhoeic dermatitis. Seborrhoeic dermatitis causes irritation and itching, and it results in oily, greasy scales of skin that eventually flake off. This leads to what is known as dandruff. The group of people most commonly affected by seborrhoeic dermatitis is adults aged 30-60, and it is more commonly seen in men than in women.

Symptoms of seborrhoeic dermatitis, or scalp eczema, are very distinctive from the symptoms of scalp psoriasis; however, they are often mistaken for each other. The symptoms of scalp eczema include: itchy scalp, a red and inflamed scalp, oily and yellowish scales that might flake off, and scales or greasy skin patches on the eyebrows or behind the ears.

The causes of scalp eczema are not certain. However, most health professionals think that it might be related to hormonal imbalances. Another theory is that it is caused by a fungus that lives on the skin. Although it is a chronic condition, it can be treated and managed.

Treating For Scalp Eczema

The good news about scalp eczema is that there are many available treatments. These treatments are being improved upon every day. Some of the best treatment options include: anthralin, pyrithione, saliclyc acid, and corticosteroids.

Conclusion

Although scalp eczema is fairly common, it is also fairly easy to get rid of. Consult your doctor right away if you suspect that you have scalp eczema, and it could be gone before you know it!

Dealing With Penile Eczema?

Sunday, June 7th, 2009

It can be difficult to distinguish between penile eczema and other more serious conditions in this private part of the body. Irritation and eruptions may indicate infectious conditions, which can spread rapidly throughout the body, if left improperly treated. It may also be the root cause of sexual transmission of disease in adults. Boys and men may feel embarrassed about looking for medical help for discomfort in the genital area, and try to treat the condition using products for relief from eczema, which are available without prescriptions. Even pediatricians may require tests and help from skin specialists, to determine the cause of inflammation of the penile skin in infants and children.

A mistaken guess about eczema of the penis could delay treatment of an entirely different medical condition. It is best for a doctor to order cultures of eruptions, and to examine blood to identify the true cause. Bacteria, protozoan parasites, and hyper-active immune systems can be detected through such diagnostic procedures. Immune disorders are likely to cause simultaneous skin eruptions in areas other than the genitalia, but pathogenic infections on the penis can cause serious complications if they are allowed to fester. However, doctors can easily treat the condition in decisive manner, and advise their patients on steps to prevent recurrence.

What Causes Penile Eczema?

The skin is a continuous organ, so penile eczema may be merely an extension of the kind of eruptions and redness to which other parts of the body are vulnerable. However, the close environment of the genitals is different from that for skin covering other parts of the body. Personal habits and lifestyles matter most for keeping the adult penis clean and free of infection. The female reproductive tract, the rectum, hands, and the mouth are all repositories of microscopic organisms, and the exposed skin of a penis may react to contact with any of these parts of another person.

Penis eczema in a male infant may be the result of long exposure to soiled or infected clothing. Bacteria and fungi cannot grow without moisture, so keeping the genitals dry, clean, and covered with inner clothing at all times, reduces the chances of infections. It is common for children to develop habits of touching their genitals unconsciously, which may also transfer infections from other parts of their bodies and from contaminated surfaces as well. Parental care givers should therefore correct such bad habits from the outset, and explain the fundamentals of hygiene to boys as they age.

What Is Nummular Eczema And How Is It Treated?

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

It is believed that the skin disease known as eczema can hereditary, running in families and the reasons why it affects most other people is because of stress as well as due to coming into contact with some chemicals and maybe even a few allergens. The root of the word nummular is Latin and is derived from the word nummus that really means a small coin. Thus, the reason why this particular form of eczema has been named nummular eczema is because it appears in to be a patch that has a striking resemblance to a coin and which is a skin disorder that is related to allergies which results in very itchy patches of skin.

Nummular Dermatitis and Eczema

It is fairly common to notice nummular eczema patches on a person’s arms, buttocks, back, as well as on the lower portion of his or her legs and will generally are crusts that are also very itchy. Nummular eczema is sometimes also referred to as nummular dermatitis and it is a condition that usually is constant and which will recur and it can be caused because of being exposed to environmental irritants and also because of changes in temperature, while stress can also cause the condition to worsen. However, nobody is really quite sure as to what the exact causes of nummular eczema are though it is quite uncommon a disease that occurs most often in men who are quite old as well.

Normally, the signs of nummular eczema include itchiness as well as having skin lesions forming that look like pustules or even patches and there is also sure to be scaly skin as well as redness and maybe even inflammations. The diagnosis of this disease is based on how the skin looks as well as on a person’s personal as well as family history, and sometimes it may call for a skin biopsy to be performed so that other conditions that may appear to be the same as for this disease can safely are excluded.

As, mentioned what causes this disease is yet not known and so treatment is usually aimed at providing relief from the main symptoms that include itchiness and also burning and use of topical treatments is quite common when treating nummular eczema. Treatments may also include use of soothing lotions as well as soaps and even application of wet dressings. Sometimes, there may even is used antipruritic lotions or even topical steroids which should soothe the dry, scaly as well as all those parts that are not so acute. In the chronic areas, the treatment could include ointments or even creams that have tar content or even which have corticosteroids that are known to be very effective in lubricating and also making the skin softer.

The bottom line is that nummular eczema is chronic though it may easily be controlled through treatment. Though there is some possibility of certain secondary problems arising. However, the disease cannot be prevented and the best you can do is to avoid environmental irritants and any other factors that may aggravate this.

Eczema The Medical Causes Of Eczema

Friday, June 5th, 2009

Eczema is an irritating skin condition that can be traced back to many different causes. Diet is one of the most common causes of eczema, as is use of an irritating lotion. However, there are also a few medical causes of eczema.

Medical causes of eczema are different because they are not linked to bad habits or behaviors that the afflicted person can change. More often, medical causes of eczema are predetermined and related to genetics, meaning that they might be harder to pinpoint and address.

Causes Of Eczema

Eczema with medical causes occurs as a result of internal factors, or causes within the body. There are several medically related causes of eczema; in fact, the most common form of eczema is caused by a medical condition.

Atopic eczema, which is linked with hay fever and asthma, refers to allergic over-sensitivity. It is the most common form of eczema, with 10-20% of eczema cases in children being atopic, and 3-5% of cases in adults being atopic. Atopic eczema is on the rise—many health experts believe that it is due to the increased exposure to allergens (like house dust) and environmental factors.

Another major medical cause of eczema is varicose veins. Varicose veins often will lead to a form of eczema that affects the lower legs. This is called varicose or gravitational eczema. Other internal eczema causes include seborrhoeic dermatitis, pompholyx or dishydrotic eczema, and discoid or nummular eczema.

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Eczema

The diagnosis of medically caused eczema may be more difficult than when the condition has other causes. Your doctor will probably try to rule out diet or harsh skin lotion as the reason for eczema before investigating the medical causes. He or she will then ask about your medical history, because medical causes of eczema often run in the family.

The next step in the diagnosis process will be to test for various allergies. Determining food and environmental allergies could provide the answer to what is causing your eczema. Hopefully, after all of these procedures, your doctor will have an answer for you. If not, he or she might recommend that you see a specialist.

Once the cause of eczema has been determined, treatment is relatively easy. Treatment of eczema typically has two parts—to soothe your skin and to prevent more damage from occurring. This typically involves a mixture of lotions and prescription medication.
After you have determined the cause of your eczema and received treatment, you will be able to experience the feeling of running your fingers over smooth skin—and you’ll appreciate it twice as much.

Soothe Your Skin With Lotions For Eczema

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Eczema is an incredibly exasperating skin condition that affects many people. The intense itch, red rash, and leathery skin are all nasty characteristics of eczema. These accompanying physical traits cause many people with the skin condition to feel self-conscious.

Fortunately, there are steps you can treat to both soothe your eczema and lessen the visibility of your symptoms. Lotion for eczema can work wonders. However, it is important to select lotions that will help your eczema, not make it worse. Learn about how to select the right lotion for your eczema!

What To Look For In A Lotion

If you are looking for a lotion for your eczema, there are a few qualities to keep an eye out for. It is important to select the eczema lotion with the shortest list of ingredients—this will lessen the chance that you are allergic or sensitive to one or more of these ingredients. Also choose a lotion that is unscented.

One tip to keep in mind when selecting lotion for eczema is to look at lotions that are intended for children. Many of these lotions are fairly mild and will not irritate your eczema.

Using A Steroid Lotion

Another option to consider, once you have tried other solutions, is to invest in a steroid lotion. As with most steroid products, steroid lotion for eczema can be very effective. However, there can also be a large amount of side effects associated with this kind of lotion. Young children should never use steroid lotion for their eczema.

Avoid Some Common Lotions

Many lotions—in fact, most lotions—are too harsh to be used by people who suffer from eczema. These lotions will only worsen the condition of your skin and irritate the rash that is already there.

Lotions with long lists of ingredients, or with fragrences are frequent culprits when it comes to irritating eczema. Avoifing harsh chemicals, perfumes, and certain herbal ingredients can help you to avoid a case of eczema.

Determining The Cause Of Your Eczema

People who wear lots of different lotions frequently have a difficult time determining which part of their lotion regime is responsible for their eczema. In this situation, there is only one solution. Try removing one lotion from your routine each week until you no longer suffer from eczema symptoms. This will help you to determube what might be causing your eczema. If you can select a lotion that will help your eczema, not contribute to it, then you will be thrilled with the results. Selecting the wrong lotion will only worsen the problem at hand—and irritate you further.

Easy To Use Homemade Eczema Treatment

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

If you suffer from any type of eczema, you know how painful and irritating the symptoms can be. The red, itchy rash and the dry, leathery skin are not only uncomfortable, but they are an eyesore as well.

See What You Can Do!

If you think you might have eczema, don’t go to the doctor just yet! There are plenty of homemade eczema treatments that are effective, and giving them a try can save you money on your doctor’s bill. Before going to your doctor, see what you can do on your own!

Luckily, there are many homemade treatment options for eczema. A doctor would be able to prescribe medication or lotion for eczema. However, many people dismiss homemade eczema treatments and tips before they give them a try. Consider homemade eczema treatment before anything else—their effectiveness might surprise you.

Treating Eczema At Home

Homemade eczema treatments can be very effective. We have many listed on this blog. There are many things you can do at home to treat eczema. Antihistamines although not exactly homemade they are extremely effective at reducing inflammation and itching. Skin wraps and lotions that can be purchased at the drug store are also very effective.

Other homemade eczema treatments are more out there; yet, many people attest to their effectiveness. Some people recommend bathing in green tea, while others claim that spreading Crisco over the affected area can help to soothe eczema. Coconut oil is also said to be beneficial for eczema.

Food For Eczema Healing

Certain foods and drinks are said to be helpful in curing eczema. Many people make their own homemade eczema treatment by combing these foods in a blender. One common mixture incorporates spinach, celery, parsley, and wheat grass. Some people claim that consuming a tablespoon of corn oil daily at breakfast and dinner can help to reduce both eczema and other skin disorders.

Eczema Prevention

One aspect of homemade eczema treatment is prevention. There are several steps you can take on a day-to-day basis that will prevent the development of eczema. One major thing you can do is to select mild soaps and lotions for your home. You would be surprised at the difference that milder detergents and hand soaps can make for your skin! On that note, make sure to avoid chemicals as well.

Another thing you can do is to avoid scratching yourself when you itch; instead, gently rub the itchy spot with the inside of your hand. After bathing, gently pat your skin dry, and seal in moisture with an oil or cream while your skin is still moist.

Home Remedies For Eczema

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

What Is Eczema?

Eczema is a skin condition where parts of the skin are dry and itchy and may even be inflamed. Constant aggravation of the skin can cause complications for the individual. The root cause of eczema is unknown although genetics may have a hand at it. Eczema symptoms though can be triggered by so many things.

Common Symptoms

Common symptoms of eczema are itchy skin, dry skin, inflamed skin and may even ooze. There are many home remedies for eczema which may seem so weird for those who do not have eczema but the people who suffer from it are willing to try many other things. Among these home remedies for eczema are pastes, lotions and oils that are made from natural or herbal ingredients which can benefit sufferers of eczema.

Several Home Remedies for Eczema

For those individuals looking for home remedies for eczema, they can try virgin coconut oil (cold-pressed), emu oil and evening primrose oil as direct ointments for the itchy and dry skin. These oils are very effective relief for itchy skin and can also control inflammation. Some people also take a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil as s supplement for many ailments.

Spearmint Juice

Spearmint leaf juice applied directly on the itch can also be very beneficial for those who suffer from eczema. Other home remedies for eczema include mashed almond leaves and then applied to the dry skin. A tablespoon of camphor and a tablespoon of sandalwood paste can also be mixed into paste and applied on the skin. Nutmeg paste can also be applied on the rash and it will soothe the skin.

Prepared Neem Leaves

Other home remedies for eczema are neem leaves that are boiled in mustard oil until they turn black. Drain the oil into a container and apply this on the itchy and inflamed skin at least four times a day. Neem is a tree which is constantly used in India for alternative medicine remedies.

Vitamins And Other Supplements For Eczema

Supplementing your diet with vitamin and other supplements can also help alleviate eczema and can be used as home remedies for eczema as well. Vitamin E helps get rid of free radicals and can also be applied directly in the itchy skin. Zinc is also good when ingested for healthy skin and at the same time it can be applied on the inflamed skin to soothe it. Vitamin B complex and Biotin are very good supplements for healthy glowing skin. Take these as the instructions on the bottle states for better skin.