Those who have this disease often really suffer greatly. The severe itching and the mere sight of the ugly ash are enough to try the patience of most souls.
The itchiness in itself is bad enough, but to add to it, the rash which is visible and not covered by clothing, the sufferer of this disease may feel like a pariah. Youngsters particularly can be taunted by their peers because of the rash.
There are four common types of eczema. And, in addition, about 7 to 9 less common types which we will not cover here.
1) Atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is an allergic reaction believed to have an hereditary part. This form often runs in families whose members also have been known to have asthma and hay fever.
Those who suffer from Atopic eczemas itchy rash find it particularly noticeable on the head and scalp. It also affect the neck, inside of elbows, behind the knees, and on the buttocks. Experts are urging doctors to be more vigilant in weeding out cases that are, actually irritant contact dermatitis. Atopic Eczema is very common in developed countries, with growth in number of infections.
2) Contact dermatitis is subdivided into 2 sub-types: One is Allergic (resulting from a delayed reaction to some allergen, such as poison ivy or nickel).
The second type is named Irritant. It may develop from direct reaction to a detergent, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Some substances act both as allergen and irritant (wet cement, for example). Other substances cause a reaction after sunlight exposure, bringing on phototoxic dermatitis. Almost three fourths of cases of Contact eczema are of this Irritant type. This makes it the most common occupational skin disease.
Contact eczema may be curable provided the irritating substance can be avoided, and its traces removed from the nearby or working environment .
3) Xerotic eczema (aka asteatotic e. craquele or craquelatum, winter itch, pruritus hiemalis) is dry skin which somehow becomes so very dry that it turns into eczema.
Xerotic eczema gets worse in dry winter weather. The limbs and trunk of the body are most often affected. Eczemas itchy, tender skin resembles a dry, cracked, river bed. This disorder is very common among older folks.
4) Seborrhoeic dermatitis or Seborrheic dermatitis (”cradle cap” in infants) is a disease sometimes classified as a form of eczema which is closely related to dandruff.
This type causes dry or greasy peeling of the scalp, eyebrows, and face, and sometimes the body trunk. The condition is harmless except in severe cases of cradle cap. In newborns it causes a thick, yellow crusty scalp rash called cradle cap which seems related to lack of biotin. It is quite curable.
It is not within the scope of this article to go into cures or mitigation of eczema. That would take too many words. In addition to medical doctors treatments there are Naturals (herbs or supplements) which are reputed to be useful against eczema.
Disclaimer - The above information is not meant to diagnose, treat or mitigate any disease or condition. Please consult with your medical adviser or physician before using. This information is not approved by any governments agency. It is for educational purposes only
