Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory, allergic skin condition that results in a variety of skin-related symptoms, including redness, itching, flaking, and peeling. Eczema is a chronic (long lasting) condition that is common in children and often accompanied by asthma, allergies, and hay fever. There is emerging evidence that eczema is an autoimmune disease.
Prevalence
In the United States, 10% of the population has some form of eczema. More than one third of children with eczema also have food allergies.
Causes and Risk Factors
One of the functions of your skin is to retain moisture and protect you from heat, wind, bacteria, irritants, and allergens. Your skin contains fat and oils that keep skin cells happy and healthy. With eczema, the skin is unable to maintain this supply of fats and oils, causing the skin to dry up and making it unable to provide protection. Without this protection, your skin becomes dry, irritated, more vulnerable to irritants, and more sensitive to environmental conditions.
Sometimes a food allergy can trigger an eczema flair up.
The primary risk for having eczema is having a family history of eczema, allergies, hay fever, and/or asthma.
Symptoms
Dry skin
Severe itching, often at night
Red or brownish patches on the hands, feet, ankles, wrists, neck, upper chest, eyelids, inner elbows, inner knees, and possibly the face and scalp
Raised bumps which may leak fluid and crust when scratched
Thickened, cracked, scaly skin
Raw, sensitive, swollen skin from scratching
Potential Comorbidities
Asthma
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Food allergies
Staph infections (impetigo)
Diabetes
Cardiovascular disease
Obesity
Autoimmune disease
Depression/anxiety
Hypertension
Common Strengths and Assets
Avoidance of triggers can often reduce impacts on occupational engagement and daily functioning
Lifestyle modifications can improve overall health and well-being
Unaffected cognition and intellect
Able to live independently and pursue educational, vocational, and personal goals with few exceptions
Prevention Tips
Identify and avoid triggers (ex. sweat, stress, toxic products, pollen and other allergens, chlorine pools, irritating fabrics).
Moisturize the skin throughout the day, especially after showers and swimming.
Take quick, warm showers. Avoid hot water. Water dries out the skin and heat often
irritates the skin.
Use non-toxic, fragrance-free products, including soap, shampoo, make up, home cleaning supplies, and anything you put on your body or breathe in throughout the day.
When trying a new topical, test it on a small area of skin first to ensure that it is effective and won't cause an adverse reaction or further irritation.
Implement healthy nutrition (ex. avoid foods that cause inflammation, work with a specialist to identify food allergens and triggers, eat whole foods that support healing).
Practice healthy stress management techniques.
Drink a lot of water daily!
Some Treatment Modalities
Pharmaceuticals (steroids, biologics, topical creams, etc.)
Naturopathic and functional medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese herbs)
Herbalism and botanical medicine
Nutrition
Phototherapy (aka light therapy)
Stress management
Psychotherapy
Eczema can be very difficult to live with. There may be a lot of trial and error, but there are ways you can work to prevent and manage flare ups to improve your quality of life. Take courage and don't give up!
REFERENCES
Allergies—Symptoms and causes. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351497
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)—Symptoms and causes. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atopic-dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc-20353273
Children & Allergies. (2014, December 30). ACAAI Public Website. https://acaai.org/allergies/who-has-allergies/children-allergies
Eczema Prevalence, Quality of Life and Economic Impact. (n.d.). National Eczema Association. Retrieved June 29, 2020, from https://nationaleczema.org/research/eczema-facts/
Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash
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