Do you have Eczema or Dermatitis?

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Do you have Eczema or Dermatitis?

Copyright 2005

Although many people believe that eczema and dermatitis are

separate conditions, they are actually one and the same.

The most common form of this skin condition is atopic

eczema. Depending on what study you read, there are between

18 and 34 million people that exhibit symptoms of eczema.

Atopic eczema is often genetic and can be associated with a

family history of environmental sensitivities and allergic

conditions like asthma or hay fever.

What are the symptoms?

One of the most common symptoms associated with eczema is

extreme itchiness. Speaking from experience, once you

start scratching it is hard to stop. You can rub your skin

raw trying to get rid of the unbearable itch. Other common

symptoms include:

Rash on the legs, arms, hands and neck (most common but

other areas can be involved)

General dry skin even when eczema is not active

Blisters with oozing and scabbing

Redness and inflammation around the blisters

What causes eczema?

There tends to be a general consensus that eczema is caused

by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If

a person has atopic eczema there will usually be another

family member with an atopic condition, such as eczema,

asthma or hay fever. Many environmental factors are

associated with a flare-up and may include the following:

· Wool clothing that scratches and rubs against the

skin

· Taking long hot showers or frequent baths

· Activities that involve dust and soil contact

· Extremes in temperature (both hot and cold)

· Contact with chemicals such as bug spray, paint

thinner, air fresheners and even certain scented toilet

paper

· Scented soaps, detergents and perfume

In addition to the above-mentioned factors, stress and diet

can play a role in activating an eczema flare up.

Stress

Staying calm and keeping a positive mental attitude can be

an excellent way to keep eczema flare-ups to a minimum.

Personal and work related stresses are potent triggers for

eczema. Feelings of anger and frustration can also increase

the chances of a flare-up. My personal battles with eczema

have been at there worst during periods of increased stress

at work.

Diet

Certain foods have been known to provoke the onset of

eczema. Foods on this list include peanuts, milk and milk

products, soy, fish, eggs and wheat. It’s not a bad idea

to keep a journal of what you eat and write down the

effects it has on your body. The journal will help you

identify and avoid foods that provoke an eczema attack.

Is there a cure for Eczema?

There is no complete cure for eczema. However, there are a

variety of natural treatments and routines that can be

followed to help reduce eczema flare-ups. Treatments are

very individual and work better on some people than others.

If these tips don’t offer some relief then it is best to

consult your healthcare professional. Various natural

healing experts recommend the following for controlling

eczema:

GLA - Evening primrose oil is a great source of the

essential fatty acid known as GLA (gamma-linolenic acid).

GLA is hard to come by in the diet so it is best to get

thru supplementation. Typical dosage is between 3 and 6

grams daily, taken with food. Studies for Primrose oil

have been mixed but some patients do claim that the oil has

helped to reduce symptoms of eczema.

Herbs – There are a variety of herbs that have had some

success in treating eczema. These include burdock root,

red clover, goldenrod, roman chamomile, German chamomile

and yarrow. A great recipe that can be applied to the

affected area (2x a day) is the following:

German chamomile 12 drops

Goldenrod 6 drops

Tagetes 6 drops

Dilute this solution in the following:

Almond oil 2 tablespoons

Jojoba oil 25 drops

Evening primrose oil 10 drops

This natural remedy has offered excellent results for

numerous people with eczema. For your first application,

treat a small area to insure that your skin is not overly

sensitive to the oils.

Ice- placing an ice pack on the aggravated areas can offer

a natural way to relieve itching. A good ice pack can be

made from a solution of 50% water and 50% rubbing alcohol.

The alcohol will prevent the solution from hardening and

allows you to mold the pack to the contours of your body.

Moisturize – It is very important to moisturize every day

with a hypoallergenic moisturizer free of perfume. I have

found sweet almond oil and apricot kernel oil to be

excellent moisturizers. Make sure to apply immediately

after every bath or shower. When drying, make sure to pat

your skin dry and do not rub.

Relax – As I have already mentioned, stress has been shown

to have an active role in many an eczema flare-up. It is

important to involve yourself in regular stress reducing

activities. This can include daily meditation, yoga,

walking or a few minutes of deep breathing exercises. Pick

an activity you will enjoy and that you can do consistently.

Conclusion

Remember that eczema is a chronic condition that is most

likely the result of your inherited genetics. Learning

your flare up triggers and making the appropriate lifestyle

changes is of prime importance in controlling eczema.

Keeping a regular journal will go a long way in helping to

identify your trigger foods and activities. I would

encourage you to learn as much as possible about your

condition. This will give you a sense of control and

empowerment while helping you in your self-management of

this chronic condition. Successful management of eczema

can be achieved provided you commit yourself to the

process. I wish you well!

About the Author:

Mike has been a life long follower and proponent of

the fitness lifestyle. Through his avid research, Mr.

has come to the realization that being healthy is a

choice and encompasses not only proper diet but also a

fitness regimen that includes the mind, body and soul.

Mike is the publisher and editor-in-chief for the

health information site http://www.Ultimatehealthreport.com.