Eczema Symptoms and Management
Published: 03 November 2022
Published: 03 November 2022
Atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It often presents as dry, itchy and reddened skin (Better Health Channel 2020).
The exact cause of eczema is largely unknown. However, it appears that those with a family history of allergy are more likely to develop eczema (ASCIA 2022).
Eczema causes a person’s skin to not retain moisture well. Therefore, the skin is prone to dryness and is more open to allergens and irritants. If the person then scratches their skin, it can become even itchier. This is called the ‘itch-scratch cycle’. It can cause discomfort and may disrupt sleep and impact quality of life (ASCIA 2022).
People who have eczema often find that there are periods during which it’s more manageable and times when it’s less - the less manageable periods are known as flare-ups (NHS 2019).
Flare-ups can be triggered by environmental irritants, certain fabrics, heat and, in some cases, particular foods (Better Health Channel 2020).
Managing eczema usually involves general skin care strategies as well as prescription treatments. While eczema is manageable, the effects of this condition on people should not be underestimated. Eczema can have a profound impact on everyday life, particularly on physical and mental health. It’s worth noting that eczema is not contagious (Better Health Channel 2020).
The exact cause of eczema is not known, but it’s thought to be a combination of environmental triggers and genetic factors. People who have eczema have an overactive immune system that produces inflammation when triggered by a substance inside or outside of the body (National Eczema Association 2022). A person is more likely to develop eczema if they have a family history of eczema or allergic conditions, such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or asthma (Better Health Channel 2020).
It’s speculated that in most cases, eczema is not affected or aggravated by diet. Advise patients to consult a doctor or dietitian for proper allergy testing and dietary advice if they think a certain food is to blame (Better Health Channel 2020).
A vast number of people who have eczema have co-occurring allergies. These often include hay fever, asthma, food allergies or dust mite allergies.
According to studies, up to 30% of infants with eczema who have a family history of allergies will develop a food allergy. Up to 40% will develop hay fever and/or asthma (ASCIA 2022).
Types of eczema are generally divided by stage of life (note, however, that eczema can affect people of any age). There are three main stages:
(ASCIA 2022)
(Better Health Channel 2020; Healthy WA 2014)
People with eczema are particularly vulnerable to infection from pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and herpes simplex, leading to skin conditions such as impetigo, cold sores and warts (ASCIA 2022; Better Health Channel 2020).
Suggestions for washing are:
(ASCIA 2022; Better Health Channel 2020)
(ASCIA 2022; Better Health Channel 2020)
(Better Health Channel 2020)
(Better Health Channel 2020; ASCIA 2022; Healthdirect 2022)
While eczema is a condition with no cure, it is mostly manageable. Many people find that it improves naturally with age (Healthy WA 2014). It’s important to know and respond to triggers of eczema - a general practitioner or specialist can help patients to devise a plan catered to their eczema.
Question 1 of 3
True or false: It is important to keep skin affected by eczema clean; any type of soap is fine to use.