Skin redness and dryness are the first manifestations of a dermatitis eczema. Other symptoms do accompany the ailment, too, such as repeated rashes, tissue swelling, the appearance of crusts, cracking of the skin as well as blister formation and even bleeding. Sometimes in the healed skin areas, a temporary skin discoloration may appear. It is only rarely that scarring occurs. Actually, dermatitis eczema represents an acute phase of eczema.
Dermatitis eczema seems to affect about one in five people at some time in life. There are several factors contributing to the condition, which explains the various patterns specific to the disease. You should know that the terms eczema and dermatitis are used interchangeably quite often, and you will also find it called eczematous dermatitis. This condition can be acute, chronic or both. Chronic eczema or dermatitis is manifest on a longstanding irritable area and it often looks darker than the rest of the skin; it is thickened and terribly itchy. Acute eczema is represented by a rapidly evolving red rash which can be both blistered and swollen. If you suffer from an intermediary form between acute and chronic, doctors will diagnose you with sub-acute eczema.
A factor that can trigger or aggravate dermatitis eczema by, presumably, suppressing the normal immune mechanisms, seems to be psychological stress. Here are some types of dermatitis eczema: atopic dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, dry skin, allergic contact dermatitis, gravitational dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatis and so on. In treating this condition it is very important to identify and tackle the causing factors. Therefore, depending on the causes and types of dermatitis under discussion in each case, the treatment varies.
In treating the different types of dermatitis eczema you can consider one or more of the following: proper bathing, wearing loose cotton clothes, permanent moisturizing of the skin, the application of topical steroids, the avoidance of irritant substances, the administration of antibiotics and antihistamines, as well as other treatments like systemic steroids, photo-therapy, azathioprine and more complicated ones for severe cases. It is useful for you to reduce the number of times you take baths, as showers are better; besides, try to replace standard soap with a substitute such as a mild detergent soap-free cleanser.
It is also good to wear soft cool clothes and to stay away from wool. Moreover, avoid contact of your skin with dust, water, detergents, solvents and try not to get injured. Moisturize skin after bathing and use only perfume-free products to alleviate the itching. In case you administrate a topical steroid cream or ointment, make sure to use it carefully and according to instructions. Antibiotics will be prescribed by doctors if an infection is aggravating the condition of the dermatitis eczema. Antihistamines are especially useful during the night to to alleviate the itching.
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