Looking for itchy eczema? Unlike other body parts, our skin may develop some disorders commonly known as dermatitis or eczema. The world is scary enough as most people take it as contagious and spread rapidly from one person to another.
So we can easily imagine how embarrassing life would be for the affected person when their loved one avoids their touch due to eczema.
But truly speaking, eczema is not at all contagious, and even no one can pass it to other people even if they have an active rash.
However, eczema can cause dryness and itching in the affected area. It can also cause cracks on the skin. Therefore, the first and foremost thing we should keep in mind while dealing with skin diseases like eczema is a clear concept of the condition and its severity.
Therefore be with us and read on to gather detailed information about the cause and types of this disease, and also you will get some home remedies to try at home.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a common term to refer to dermatitis, and it is a group of diseases that cause dry, itchy, and inflamed skin.
Though it is a type of skin rash, so most of us might take it as a casual skin issue, but in reality, it is more than just a normal skin eruption.
In another way, we can characterize eczema as a term for the most common medical condition that causes the affected skin to develop any inflammation and irritation.
As a result, the skin becomes dry and itchy and filled up with rashes. Depending on the duration of the disease, there may be small blisters in short-term cases, while the skin may get thick and rough in long-term cases.
So considering all the facts, we can symbolize eczema as a term used to describe a group of a medical condition that causes our skin to become dry, colorless, itchy, and inflamed.
To clarify more precisely, here are some valuable facts about eczema. Let us check
- Eczema cannot be described as just one skin condition. This is a chronic skin inflammation with dry skin, red patches, thick skin, and many more.
- Eczema is often carried out by heredity. There is a chance of getting eczema if both of your parents have it. So family history is an essential factor.
- Generally, eczema does not necessarily affect the entire body; it remains limited to the affected area, such as itchy palms of hands and feet.
- Eczema is not contagious, and therefore there is no chance of developing it by toughing anybody who already has it.
- Eczema can develop due to some environmental factors.
- Scratching the area may cause infection, and bleeding may also occur. Thus scratching may open the door for complications.
What Causes Eczema
There is no specific cause that can trigger eczema. However, it is presumed that eczema or dermatitis is a result of specific genetic and environmental factors.
Several genes have been found which has a link with eczema. Individuals who develop itchy eczema tend to possess an over-reactive immune system that comes in contact with any foreign substance (inside or outside the body) responds quickly by producing red itchy, and inflamed skin which is the first symbol of eczema.
Let us check the cause thoroughly:
Everyday things that can trigger eczema
The factors are
- Dry skin and Irritants– There are several products that we use daily that can cause our skin to swallow and inflamed. Such as:
- Metals like Nickel
- Soap and washing powder.
- Body spray.
- Cigarette smoke.
- Antibacterial ointment.
- Personal care products.
- Specific fabrics like polyester or wool.
2. Stress– Another factor for eczema is stress. Life is incomplete without stress. Each human has stress in their life. But too much stress can lead to eczema.
3. Defects in skin structure that lock the way for the moisturizer to penetrate inside but allow the pathogen to enter inside the skin
4. Children are likely to develop eczema if they
- Live in an urban or polluted area.
- Live in cold climatic conditions.
5. Daily Activity: Sometimes, our daily activities may cause eczema. The activities are—
- Prolonged exposure to water.
- Become too hot or too cold.
- Not using proper moisture.
- Living in arid climates all year round.
6. Eczema can also start with certain chronic conditions that affect or weaken our immunity power. For example, the chronic conditions that can worsen an eczema flare are—
- The cold or flu infection.
- Bacterial infection.
- Any types of allergic reaction from dust, smoke, pollen, or pets.
Types of Eczema
Eczema also is known as dermatitis, and the term atopic refers to an allergy. So it is pretty easy to understand that people who have eczema have allergic or asthma along with inflamed, itchy, dry skin.
Because each type of eczema has its signs and symptoms, there are 7 types of eczema.
1. Contact Dermatitis
In this type of dermatitis, the person gets inflected when contact with any material, and the reaction occurs.
2. Atopic Dermatitis
It is a common type of eczema that starts from childhood and stays with adulthood. The other three diseases generally accompany it.
3. Hand Eczema
This type of eczema occurs in our hands.
4. Nummular Eczema
It is a type of eczema that generally is of coin-shaped round one.
5. Stasis Dermatitis
It occurs due to any leakage in the veins into the skin.
6. Neurodermatitis
It forms a thick patchy surface on the skin.
7. Dyshidrotic Eczema
In this type of eczema, small blisters are formed on the skin.
What Does Eczema Look Like?
Itching and rash is a common sign of skin rash. So sometimes, it becomes challenging to identify eczema because of the common symptoms. So let us note the specific characteristics of dermatitis or eczema.
- Eczema starts with intense itching.
- Red bumps are appearing in different sizes.
- Individuals who have nummular eczema develop coin shape round spots on the affected area with itching.
- Sometimes eczema can develop in round or oval shape and clusters of tiny pimples or patches with a thin scale.
Home Remedies For Eczema
1. Apple cider vinegar
The most common home remedy for eczema is apple cider vinegar. In addition, apple cider vinegar is known for its role in treating skin disorders.
It plays a role in balancing the skin’s acidity level and helps to fight off different bacteria.
HOW TO USE
- Take 1 cup of warm water along with 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
- Mix the two.
- Apply on the affected area with the help of cotton or gauze.
- Cover the area with clean cotton fabric and leave it for 3 hours.
2. Aloe Vera gel
This is one of the common but effective home remedies for itchy eczema. This gel is derived from the aloe vera plant leaves, and humans widely use it for centuries.
This is so for its vast medicinal properties, i.e., antibacterial, immune system healing, antimicrobial, wound healing. These properties help to cure skin disorders, and eczema is one of them.
HOW TO USE
- Buy aloe vera gel from online markets. You can also derive it directly from the aloe vera plant if you have one.
- Apply the gel to the affected area.
- Repeat it to get the perfect result.
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3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer for our skin to prevent it from drying and thus treating eczema. In addition, its anti-inflammatory properties play an essential role in each human life.
HOW TO USE
- Take a little bit of coconut oil in your hand.
- Apply on the affected area and rub it properly.
- Apply it only after a bath and before going to sleep.
4. Honey
Honey is one of the most acceptable home remedies for eczema. For its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it is used by humans for centuries. It is also used for treating skin burns and others.
HOW TO USE
- Take a little amount of honey.
- Apply it on the affected area of the skin.
- Use it repeatedly for best results.
5. Take Bath Daily
Bathing is one of the best and easy ways to reduce the risk of eczema. But there are some rules which are to be maintained while bathing. They are as follows—
- Shower once a day.
- Use lukewarm water.
- Avoid using scrubbers.
- Try to avoid soaps and use gentle cleansers.
- Bath for only 10-20 minutes.
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6. Tea tree oil
It is a plant-based essential oil, and numerous studies have supported the fact that it is antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic.
Due to these properties, tea tree oil is a powerful weapon to fight any eczema.
Topical application of this oil reduces itching and thus helps the patient to feel comfortable. Unfortunately, the outer protective skin layer is damaged in eczema due to scratching, and the affected area becomes red.
The anti-inflammatory ability of tea tree oil soothes the skin and prevents swelling and redness.
HOW TO USE
- Take One to two drops of tea tree oil.
- Mix it with 12 drops of carrier oil (almond or olive oil) to make it dilute.
- Apply the mixture to the affected area.
7. Avoid Harsh Detergent For Washing
Washing and cleaning are our daily activities. Unfortunately, most detergent powder contains toxic chemicals, artificial fragrances, preservatives, and chemical dye. These entire components react to our skin and make it drier.
As a result, eczema and skin rash are quite a regular occurrence. So choose your laundry detergent wisely, which is chemical-free.
8. Changes in Diet
Our foods are responsible for increasing or reducing skin irritation to a great extent. Some foods help to cure inflamed skin, whereas some foods cause allergies.
As we know, the skin becomes inflamed and sensitive in eczema, so a food allergy may make the condition worse.
Therefore we must be careful about our diet. Here is some anti-inflammatory food that may help us.
- Fish
- Green leafy vegetables.
- Colored vegetables.
- Turmeric and cinnamon.
- Fresh fruits.
Be sure to read: Honey and Cinnamon Benefits for skin
Do’s and Don’ts
Eczema is not a type of skin rash that is not curable. It is a typical skin rash where the skin becomes thick and flacks over time. Living with it can be very embarrassing as t gets intense in the summer season.
So there are some do’s and don’t which must be followed by eczema sufferers. So that they can stop it from flaring up. Here are the dos and don’ts—
DO’s
- Try to stay moisturized and clean.
- Try to avoid scented products like perfume, body-spray.
- Wear cotton fabric to prevent excess sweating and skin irritation.
- Clean new clothes before use.
- Use a humidifier if you live in a dry climatic condition.
DON’Ts
- Don’t bathe with too hot or too cold water as it may dry up your skin and open the pores. Thus allow the irritants to get inside.
- Don’t stop the treatment even if the symptoms diminish.
- Don’t use petroleum jelly as a moisturizer.
Final Words
In conclusion, we can add that eczema is not curable. Still, we can manage the irritation by following the home remedies or using medicated gel or calamine lotion and bringing some diet changes.
We should keep the foods out of our list that causes irritation and allergy, like seafood or specific vegetables. Last but not least, we must consult a doctor if home remedies do not give a satisfactory result. In the case of babies, always follow the doctor’s advice.
