Eczema Skin Care Solutions

Eczema (Dermatitis) description and skin care products that offer solutions to the itchy skin.

Posted 02/18/2005

Eczema Described

Eczema can take a different appearance on different people. Typically it is diagnosed by red and dry patches on the skin that are very itchy. Sometimes the eczema rash appears after scratching. In some people eczema can ooze, while in others it can be dry and flake.

Eczema refers to any condition characterized by red, itchy, inflamed, scaly or even oozing crusty patches of skin. The term comes from the Greek eczio, meaning to "boil out" which as anyone who has experienced eczema will know, is just what it feels like. As mentioned above, strictly speaking, eczema is simply a generic term for the dermatitis-type condition. It tends to be reserved, however, for "atopic" type conditions, meaning those that are not the result of contact with some allergen or irritant, but due to some sort of generalized, perhaps inherited, tendency to persistently irritated skin.

Where is Eczema and What Causes It?

Eczema can occur anywhere on the body. It is not known what causes eczema but it can be exacerbated by a variety of things.

Soultions for Eczema

The first line of defense in atopic eczema is to avoid the following:

Hot baths and heavy use of soaps
Tight, scratchy clothing
Anything which makes your skin hot and bothered, such as sunbathing or excessive sweat-inducing exercise
Scratching - it inflames the already irritated skin
Stress - which can precipitate or aggravate an outbreak

Check out our section of Products to help with Eczema.

Depending on the severity of the condition your dermatologist may prescribe topical corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation and/or oral sedatives and antihistamines to calm both you and your skin. If the skin is broken, crusty, and open, antibiotics may be necessary to ward of infection.

Return to Top