According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the word eczema is a term that means irritated skin. There is no known reason why some children and adults have the condition and others do not.
It’s believed that heredity plays a role in who gets it, and that those who have asthma and/or allergies stand a greater chance of contracting eczema, which is most often found in cities and polluted areas.
It is believed that eczema is a sign that your immune system is working extra hard, which makes the skin overact, creating itchiness and rashes. The skin might not itch all the time because there are periods when eczema goes to sleep. There are certain catalysts that bring it back to life that you’ll want to avoid such as animal dander and saliva, excessive sweating, household cleaning products, dust, scratchy clothes (think wool) and a cough, cold or the flu.
Atopic dermatitis is the most common version of eczema with more than 18 million adults afflicted with it. It normally appears on the arms, legs and cheeks as an itchy red rash. It usually begins during childhood within the first six months after birth, and unfortunately the effects may be severe and could be long-lasting.
Atopic dermatitis can fade away as a child grows older, though many children will experience it into adulthood. Infants and children may experience flares from eating certain foods, including eggs, milk, soy and wheat. Talk with your child’s doctor about identifying potential food allergies. It’s estimated that 10 percent of the world’s population is affected by atopic dermatitis at some point in their lives. Thankfully, it is not contagious.
For those who have atopic dermatitis, it is essential to find ways to manage the extreme urge to scratch the itchy skin. Scratching too much can cause atopic dermatitis to flare up at an increased level. Those with atopic dermatitis may also experience dry skin that becomes easily irritated along with occupational skin diseases like hand dermatitis, eye problems like eyelid dermatitis or cataracts, and skin infections like staph and herpes.
Various triggers can increase the severity of atopic dermatitis. Those potential triggers include chemical irritants, stress, infections, dry skin, hot or cold temperatures and sweating, allergens such as pollen, and when certain hormones increase or decrease in the body.
An important aspect in managing atopic dermatitis knowing your triggers and doing your best to avoid them. Other strategies to help you control the effects of atopic dermatitis include implementing a regular bathing and moisturizing routine, consistently using over-the-counter and/or prescription medications as prescribed, and watching for signs of infection such as pain, heat, redness and pus-filled bumps. Whenever possible you’ll want to remove common, everyday allergens from your home and workplace, and reach out to others coping with atopic dermatitis for support.
The AAD recommends considering an occasional bleach bath to help prevent flares from occurring. A diluted-bleach bath decreases bacteria on the skin and related infections. Always soak from the neck down or just the affected areas of skin for about 10 minutes at a time. Do not submerge the head. For best results, add ½ cup of bleach to a 40-gallon bathtub filled with warm water. Rinse if your skin doesn’t tolerate bleach well. Use household bleach, not concentrated bleach. Take a bleach bath no more than twice a week.
Treatments for severe flare ups include topical medications applied to the skin, phototherapy — which is a form of light treatment — and biologic drugs that target specific areas of the immune system.
If you have concerns or questions about skin diseases or are in need of a primary care physician for yourself or someone else, please call 317-880-8687 or visit www.eskenazihealth.edu/doctors.
Dr. Nydia Nunez-Estrada
Family Medicine Physician at Eskenazi Health