Eczema
What Is Eczema?
Atopic eczema (endogenous eczema) occurs when there is a genetic, or inherited, tendency to develop the condition. Exogenous (Contact) eczema, occurs when substances or chemicals irritate the skin casuing an allergic reaction. Eczema, also known as dermatitis affects around ten per cent of the population at some time in their life.
What Are The Causes Of Eczema
The causes of eczema are unknown. However, it can be triggered by the following:-
- cold, windy weather which dries the skin
- chemicals, detergents, washing powders, soap and shampoos can all contribute
- although eczema often runs in families, it can not be spread from person to person
What Are The Symptoms Of Eczema?
- itching
- dry, itchy, scaly red, skin
- cracked skin,
- infection caused by bacteria living on the surface of the skin (staphylococcus aureus) may cause weeping, crusting and scabbing
Which Parts Of The Body Are Affected?
-
hands, wrists, face, abdomen, scalp, ears
-
folds of the body, elbows, backs of the knees, ankles
How Many Types Of Eczema Are There?
There are many types of eczema, here we concentrate on the types most likely to affect your child:-
Atopic Eczema
- common and endogenous.
- Atopy is a family predisposition to a variety of allergic conditions, and includes asthma, hay fever and eczema.
Atopic eczema is commonly found in small children and affects 15-20% of them. Most of these children outgrow it but it remains present in around 2%.
Allergic Contact Eczema
- develops when the immune system reacts against a substance in contact with the skin. For example, applying a particular cream or lotion can provoke eczema in a particular area which then spreads to other places.
What Treatments Are Available For My Child?
Self Treatment
- avoiding the irritiants that case eczema. These can include soap, washing powder and bubble baths
- Emollients are available over the counter from your pharmacist. Their purpose is to smooth, hydrate and calm the skin. They can be applied after your child’s bathtime in cream, lotion and ointment form. Oils are also available that can be added to the bath
- putting mittens on babies and keeping their nails short may help to prevent scratching.
Medicines
Topical Steroid Creams
- Steroids calm severe cases of eczema by suppressing the body's inflammatory response.
- available in different strengths, steroid creams should be used for only a few days at a time. Ask your pharmacist for advice
- apply sparingly and use mildest cream that works.
- only very mild steroids should ever be applied to the face or to small children
- use steroids in conjunction with emollients
- Follow the advice given by your GP
Antihistamine tablets or medicines
- reduce the itching. Can be useful at night or can be non-sedating for use during the day
Antibiotics
- will get rid of bacteria and help the skin to recover
Creams and lotions
- try to keep skin moisturised to prevent itching and cracking. Emolients including E45 and Oilatum in the bath water can be beneficial
Diet
Some children who have food allergies find that certain foods will worsen their eczema. Excluding foods will probably not help those who do not have food allergies. Consult your GP or a dietician before attempting to cut out particular foods to avoid deficiencies of essential vitamins nutrients and food groups.
Complementary Treatments
Evening Primrose Oil can be helpful although there is no scientific evidence to back this up.
Homeopathy can also be effective
What Can I Do If Treatment Is Ineffective?
If treatments is proving ineffective visit your GP to see if something other than eczema is affecting your child. Your doctor may consider:-
- Psoriasis less itchy than eczema and is usually in well defined patches.
- Scabies - this is a very itchy skin condition, which is caused by a mite infesting the skin.
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