A common skin problem called eczema usually arises before your child enters one year old. It is also called “dermatitis,” which describes a couple of rash-like conditions where the skin is inflamed, red, and irritated- a condition that makes the skin to be extremely sensitive, dry, and rough. It’s important to state at the outset that eczema is the external manifestation of a problem that’s occurring within the body — more pointedly, inflammation.
The actual cause for eczema is “UNKNOWN” and it is thought to be something wrong with the immune system that sets off the intensity of your skin to become irritated or inflamed when exposed to different types of allergens.
There are 2 main categories of eczema:
- Atopic dermatitis (allergic eczema): Atopic dermatitis is the type of eczema that is the worst and lasts the longest. The skin becomes exceedingly red, itchy, and scaly during a flare-up. This skin problem may attack multiple parts of the body or may just affect a few. Although eczema is not communicable, your chance for developing the condition rises if you have a family history of it. Atopic dermatitis typically affects infants or young children and may continue until adulthood. The appearance and symptoms for Atopic dermatitis will vary for each person. Intense itching is the most common symptom, which can lead to severe discomfort and/or loss of sleep.
- Contact dermatitis (allergy that is often caused by specific ingredients): The substance might be anything, including dust, perfume, soap, moisturizer, and a lot of other things. The substance might be anything, including dust, perfume, soap, moisturizer, and a lot of other things.
Both the types of eczema depend on a person’s age.
ROOT CAUSE FOR ECZEMA
Although the precise cause of eczema is unknown, it is believed to be due to an extreme immune system reaction to an irritant. This reaction is what results in the eczema symptoms. While there is currently no cure, eczema sufferers can practice self-care at home to help reduce flare-ups The best protection against all forms of eczema is changing one’s lifestyle. In order to lessen symptoms and breakouts, treatment objectives include minimizing inflammation, lowering the risk of infection, and reducing the itching.
The causes of atopic dermatitis (eczema) differ greatly from person to person. In general, try to stay away from anything itchy because scratching frequently results in an eczema flare. Remember that a flare-up may occur even after you have been exposed to the irritant. Finding your triggers may be challenging due to this lag period. It is beneficial to keep note of your symptoms in a journal or app and search for trends over time. Typical causes include:
1) Dry skin: Your skin can quickly become fragile, scaly, harsh, or tight when it becomes too dry. This may make eczema worse. Use a thick moisturizer to hydrate your skin many times each day.
2) Allergens: Pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold allergies are frequently linked to eczema flare-ups and may exacerbate your symptoms. Regular cleaning and vacuuming, along with soaking bedding in hot water once a week, may be beneficial.
3) Soap: Shampoo, bubble bath, laundry detergent, hand and dish soap, and body washes can also irritate skin. Choose mild, unscented products whenever possible. Avoid soaps with antimicrobial ingredients that dry out your skin.
4) Cleaning products: Even natural items like surface cleansers and disinfectants can irritate skin and cause eczema. When cleaning, put on cotton-lined gloves to lessen your probability of responding.
5) Metals: Some metals that come into touch with your skin might irritate it. You may need to check your jewelry and avoid gold, copper, cobalt chloride, nickel, and chromium.
6) Smoke from tobacco: Smoke from cigarettes is a common irritant. If you smoke, discuss effective and long-lasting ways to quit with your doctor.
7) Fragrances: Some people find that using scented soap or shampoo, using cologne or perfume, or using air fresheners and scented candles triggers their eczema to flare up. Use perfumed products carefully if in doubt.
8) Stress: Stress and anxiety can worsen skin conditions like eczema. The stress hormones found in the body when you are uptight lead to inflammation, which can irritate your skin and lead to eczema. Try deep breathing, yoga, or other relaxation techniques.
9) Fabric: Wool and polyester are materials that can irritate the skin. You might also need to remove the tags from your clothing. Choose comfortable, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton or bamboo.
10) Heat and sweat: Too warmth can itch your skin. On hot days, wear in breathable, light clothing and turn on the air conditioning. If exercise or sweating triggers your eczema to flare up, quit what you’re doing and apply cool compresses to your skin until it stops burning.
With this information in hand, it is understandable that treating the eczema’s root cause would be preferable than treating the condition’s symptoms.
WHAT TRIGGERS ECZEMA
Each person with eczema experiences the condition in a different way. What kicks off a flare-up in your symptoms might not do so in another person.
Long-term obesity may increase chances.
Diabetes throughout gestation, particularly in mothers of term babies.
Caesarean births: When a baby is delivered vaginally, the mother’s bacteria reach the baby’s gut and establishing the protective microbiome. According to research, having a c-section increases the risk of allergic rhinitis, asthma, hospitalization for asthma, and sometime food allergy/food atopy by a considerable amount.
ECZEMA IN CHILDREN
The rash usually appears on the cheeks and the area near the lips in babies. A scaly rash appears on the cheeks and chin of infants as early as 6 to 12 weeks of age. Other exposed areas can be affected as they begin to crawl and move about.
Breastfeeding reduces food allergies at least into adolescence, according to a lengthy study of breastfed children. One of the key advantages of breastfeeding is protection against allergies. When artificial baby milk is given to babies in place of human milk, the prevalence of cow’s milk allergies can increase by up to seven times.
When a child rubs the rash, it begins as lumps that harden and scald. It appears on the sides of the neck, behind the knees, inside the elbows, on the wrists, ankles, and hands, and around the lips. Lip licking frequently can result in tiny, irritating skin splits.
At the start of puberty, when hormones, stress, and the use of irritating skin care products or cosmetics may cause the disease to flare, the problem may go into long-term remission in some children. When a child rubs the rash, it begins as lumps that harden and scald. It appears on the sides of the neck, behind the knees, inside the elbows, on the wrists, ankles, and hands, and around the lips. Lip licking frequently can result in tiny, irritating skin splits.
At the start of puberty, when hormones, stress, and the use of irritating skin care products or cosmetics may cause the disease to flare, the problem may go into long-term remission in some children. When a child rubs the rash, it begins as lumps that harden and scald. It appears on the sides of the neck, behind the knees, inside the elbows, on the wrists, ankles, and hands, and around the lips. Lip licking frequently can result in tiny, irritating skin splits.
At the start of puberty, when hormones, stress, and the use of irritating skin care products or cosmetics may cause the disease to flare, the problem may go into long-term remission in some children.
Atopic dermatitis could also strike an adult for the first time in some conditions. The insides of the knees and elbows, as well as the neck, wrists, and feet, are where the rash is most frequently found. The body-wide or localized symptoms are both possible.
Let’s examine the root causes, which are more complex than you might imagine.
- Dietary restrictions
Food intolerances are known to cause eczema, and this is particularly true in children. Nearly 30 to 50 % who may have this food sensitivities. Cow milk, wheat, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish, and peanuts account for 90% of all food allergies.
We’re referring to food sensitivity, which can (but need not necessarily) develop gradually. Since food intolerance symptoms can take up to three days to manifest, they are frequently overlooked and ignored. Your child’s likelihood of developing eczema increases as more of this inflammation takes place within their bodies.
- Genetics in Heritance
One element in particular shouldn’t be disregarded while looking for the eczema-causing reason in your child: heredity. You see, atopic dermatitis is more likely to affect a kid if one or more parents have the condition themselves. This includes other members of your immediate family who may also have eczema.
Therefore, if you, your spouse, or any of your siblings have eczema, this may indicate that your child’s eczema has a hereditary basis.
- Stress
The immune system is known to be suppressed by stress, which is another root cause of eczema in your child. Although you might believe that stress is mostly a part of adult life, there are many factors that might make your loved one feel the type of stress that could result in an eczema flare-up.
They could be upset about:
> Stressed parents
> Going to school
> Problems with friends
> Family problems
> Moving home
Whatever the reason, stress is known to be a major eczema trigger, so be alert and discuss any potential worries with your child. Often, a little conversation is sufficient to convince someone that things will be well.
- Chemicals In Daily Consumables
More poisons and chemicals are present around us than ever before, and many of them are found in the everyday things we use. Furthermore, you might not even be aware of an eczema flare-up being caused by these substances until it’s too late.
These products include:
> Household detergents & cleaners
> Soaps
> Laundry detergents & powders
> Lotions & shampoos
Even baby wipes can be problematic since some of them include isothiazolinones, which are antibacterial substances that might induce an allergic response. Always be cautious when switching to new cleaning, shampoo, or laundry products because these substances are all around us every day.
- Gut Problems
Your child’s gut health may also be a contributing factor in the development of eczema. The issue is largely the same whether we’re discussing ailments like leaky gut or gut infections. Small holes in their gut wall let germs, viruses, poisons, and even food to enter the bloodstream.
When this occurs, the immune system kicks into high gear, interpreting all of these alien objects as invading enemies that must be eliminated. This subsequently leads to a significant increase in inflammation, which not only brings on eczema but also increases your child’s vulnerability to other, more serious issues in the future.
- Deficiencies in Nutrients
We all know that eating a balanced diet is a good idea, but many people are unaware of how crucial it is for having healthy skin. Although a few vitamins and minerals in particular have been linked to inflammatory conditions like eczema, they all play a significant role in our immune system’s general health.
For instance, vitamin D has been linked in studies to an increased risk of eczema development. A lack of vitamin A is occasionally thought to be the main cause of eczema. Vitamin A is also well recognized to have a significant part in the repair and turnover of skin cells. The good news is that you can offer some respite by giving your child nutrients or taking them outside (as long as they have sunscreen on, of course).
Sadly, there is no treatment for eczema. But there are many of methods to manage eczema and make your kid more comfortable. Eczema is not infectious.
How do you treat childhood eczema?
If your child has skin issues, you can:
1) Instead of giving your child a long, hot bath, which might dry up their skin, give them a quick, warm bath.
2) Apply moisturizers often each day. Moisturizing often, such as after each diaper change, is very beneficial for babies with eczema.
3) Maintain a constant temperature in the room. Your child’s skin may become dry due to changes in humidity and ambient temperature.
4) Keep your loved ones in cotton clothing. Their skin can get irritated by materials like wool, silk, and synthetics like polyester.
5) Use unscented or sensitive skin washing detergent.
6) Encourage your child to refrain from touching or scratching their skin.
How may eczema be avoided?
Eczema is incurable. Although there are treatments, none of them can completely get rid of your symptoms. Since eczema is a chronic condition, it may suddenly disappear and reappear. The symptoms of dry, itchy skin can be greatly reduced with the use of treatments. A board-certified dermatologist’s accurate diagnosis is the first step in the treatment of eczema. If you are diagnosed with eczema, the dermatologist can explain your type of eczema and can work with you to tailor a treatment plan that meets your individual needs to effectively manage the symptoms.
Eczema can last a lifetime. It can begin in a child’s early years and last until maturity. Home cures, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription pharmaceuticals can all be used to treat your symptoms.
Eczema (Dermatitis) and Disability Benefits
Dermatitis is regarded as an inflammatory skin disorder in the SSA’s Blue Book. Eczema fits under this Blue Book category because of this. You must provide documentation proving a diagnosis of an eczema type that resulted in “extensive skin lesions” and those lesions must have lasted for at least three months in order to be eligible for disability payments based on eczema or another kind of dermatitis. Those lesions must also continue to exist even after receiving medical therapy.