Eczema: Your essential guide. Regina Malan
Scientists report that around 65% of eczema patients already show symptoms in their first year of life and 90% of patients exhibit symptoms before the age of five.8 It is rare for eczema to make its first appearance after the age of 30, but if it does occur, it is most often a result of your body being exposed to extreme conditions or to certain medications. But occasionally doctors do come across patients of 60 or even 80 years old who develop eczema for the first time. It is generally more difficult to treat adult onset eczema.
IS ECZEMA CONTAGIOUS?
More than one member of a family can suffer from eczema, but it is important to note that each eczema sufferer develops the condition separately. You cannot catch eczema from another person and, if you suffer from it, your children cannot catch it from you. Secondary infections, such as cold sores and fungal infections, may, however, occur and these are indeed contagious through skin contact.
Eczema is not contagious and cannot be transferred from one person to another. Neither an adult nor a child will develop the condition when coming into contact with an eczema sufferer.
If eczema isn’t contagious, why does it appear in families? Because the sufferer inherits the tendency. Scientists have found that the abnormal development of some 20 genes, responsible for controlling how the skin interacts with the environment, is one of the causes of eczema.9 The abnormal genes mainly affect two important elements: (a) the skin’s barrier function against environmental attacks, and (b) the reaction of the immune system when irritants and bacteria penetrate the skin.
Hereditary genes cannot, however, be the only reason for the rise in the occurrence of eczema. Various factors pertaining to the environment in which a sufferer finds himself also play a role.
In Part 2, The Causes of Eczema, we give a detailed discussion of possible causes such as the abnormal development of certain genes, problems with the skin’s barrier function, the malfunctioning immune system, as well as environmental factors.
CASE STUDY
Abby relates: I was born with eczema, and have lived with it for over 10 years. When I was 15, my eczema suddenly became so severe that my body was covered with it and I used to wake up with blood and dead skin flakes all over my bed. My legs looked like they were burned, and the flakes were so big and so numerous that I could sweep it and it would become like a large pile of sand on my floor. It was a scary experience.
I would walk down the streets with people looking at me and I was constantly seeing doctors on a weekly basis for steroid medications or check-ups – that did not help. The doctors said I would never heal.
It was very painful to walk (because of the eczema on my knees and joints), painful to wash my face, and my whole body would sting when I showered. I was afraid to see people – and afraid of what others thought of me … I kept praying and praying for God to cure me.
Finally, I saw a naturopath and nutritionist, and was told that it was nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, a damaged gut, and product sensitivities that were causing it …
For the next few months, I used cleaning products (that were natural without chemicals), supplements, did a detox, and I completely changed my diet. I switched to hypoallergenic products for eczema, which helped lessen the toxic load on my body; I also ate an extremely pure diet for two months, as my body had become so sensitive that whenever I ate the wrong foods (mainly sugar, wheat and sauces), my body would break out in eczema and tingle.
As I eliminated the allergens – wheat, sugar, MSG, processed foods, etc. – and filled my body with the nutrients that it was missing (i.e. through lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and superfoods), within two months my body experienced dramatic healing. This was miraculous! It had never happened before.
Of course, it took about another year to see 90% of my skin heal – because so much damage had already been done. It took another while to see the last 10% heal (and trust me, that was the hardest part to heal!). I witnessed the power of food, as the greatest medicine that could cure my body.
Today, I am able to eat normal foods once again. I am also able to process toxins much better because I use great natural products for eczema – and I also feed my body the nutrients it needs on a daily basis.
(Source: http://www.primephysiquenutrition.com/how-i-overcame-severe-eczema-when-doctors-said-there-was-no-cure)
2
Diagnosing eczema
WHEN you have an irritating skin rash, the correct thing to do is visit a doctor to have your condition accurately diagnosed. The rash could be eczema, but it could also be another skin condition. Without the right diagnosis, it is difficult to get effective treatment to thoroughly clear up the condition. Many skin conditions that seem to resemble one another require completely different treatment procedures. If your general practitioner cannot give an accurate diagnosis, then visit a dermatologist.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
Eczema is generally not a medical emergency and you may at times find relief in over-the-counter medication, skin creams and lifestyle adjustments. In any of the following instances, however, you should consult a doctor for more effective treatment:
•If the eczema has an adverse effect on your daily life, for instance your work is compromised, you cannot attend important events, your sleep is disrupted, etc.
•If over-the-counter medications, such as hydrocortisone cream, does not relieve the rash.
•If the rash is red, swollen and painful; if vesicles are formed, fluid is leaked and a crust develops; if you have a fever. These are all indications of an infection and require medical attention. It may even be necessary to check into the hospital’s casualty ward.
•If you have an impaired immune system, are suffering from medical conditions such as diabetes or HIV/Aids, if you have undergone chemotherapy or are over the age of 70, you should receive medical care at the slightest sign of infection.
If your doctor uses the term ‘pruritus’ during an examination, he is simply referring to the itch that accompanies eczema and other skin conditions.
Eczema cannot be diagnosed by means of a single blood test. The doctor will examine the rash and ask you a number of questions before making a diagnosis. Remember, there are numerous types of skin rash, and eczema – or atopic dermatitis – is only one of them.
But what does eczema look like and what distinguishes it from other skin rashes?
GENERAL SYMPTOMS
•Moderate to very dry skin. Not all people with dry skin will develop eczema, but eczema is always accompanied by dry skin. Eczema skin is more porous than healthy skin and is less effective in preventing moisture loss.1 As a result of excessive moisture loss, the skin feels taut and non-elastic. White flakes of dead skin cells and scales may be present. The intense itching associated with eczema is caused by the typical dryness of the skin.
•Itching. The most distinctive symptom of eczema is the unbearable itching. Not all types of skin rash itch, but eczema always itches, regardless of the body area on which it appears. Your brain may even interpret the intense itching as painful. At night eczema becomes a demon. It keeps you awake and irregular sleeping hours lead to exhaustion and lethargy. In addition, you often scratch the skin unconsciously at night and thus worsen the problem.
•Rash. The typical itching of eczema is followed by a red, swollen, crusty rash. In people with fair skin, the rash may initially appear red, and subsequently turn brown. In dark-skinned people, skin pigmentation is affected and the afflicted area may turn lighter or even darker. Besides the itchiness, cracks or fissures may also appear behind the ears and on the palms of the hands.
•Affected areas (see Figure 2.1). In adults, eczema appears mainly in the skin folds, on the neck, hands and flexures of the arms (where the