Dry and itchy skin, or eczema?

Nobody likes dry, flaky or itchy skin. And while this may seem like a problem that comes and goes, perhaps in cold or dry weather, or just a sign of need for hydration, it can also be a sign of a medical condition known as a topic dermatitis.

A topic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. More than 30 million Americans suffer from some form of eczema, which can lead to dryness, redness and itchy skin. Eczema is a broad term used by health professionals to describe a common group of diseases that can lead to redness, inflammation and itchy skin. A topic dermatitis, considered a severe form of eczema, is a chronic (long-term) non-contagious inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by periodic episodes. It is characterized by severe itching, which can be aggravated at night and disturb sleep.

A topic dermatitis causes skin rashes, which often appear on the face, inside the elbows and behind the knees, arms and legs, but can appear anywhere on the body. Although there is no cure for this disease, a topic dermatitis can be controlled through treatment and lifestyle changes.

Who will get it?

A topic dermatitis is most commonly found in infants and children. A topic dermatitis in children can disappear or improve with age, but in some cases the disease persists until adulthood. A topic dermatitis is rarely developed in adults. In fact 90% of people develop the disease before the age of 5 years.

Even if the cause is not fully understood, the disease may be familial. It can also occur in people with asthma or hay fever, or in people who have family members with these diseases.

General symptoms

Signs of a topic dermatitis may vary in infants, children and adults and from time to time may affect different parts of your body. Often there is a rash or stain on the skin that looks red, elevated or open and interspersed with crispy sores on the skin.

Infants under 6 months of age initially develop stains on the face, cheeks, chin, forehead and scalp. Infants aged 6 to 12 months often have stains on their elbows and knees. They can be rubbed against bed linen or carpets to remove itching.

In infants 2 to 5 years of age, stains may appear in the folds of the elbows and knees or on the wrists, ankles, and arms. They may also appear on the skin around the mouth and eyelids.

Children aged 5 years and over may have stains on the knees or elbow bends. Red, itchy spots may also appear behind the ears or on the legs. Some children may only get stains on their hands. In some children a topic dermatitis seems to disappear for a while, only to appear at a later age, when hormones, stress or the use of irritating skin care products or cosmetics may reignite the disease.

In adults, a topic dermatitis may look different than a topic dermatitis in children. The rash often appears in the elbow and knee folds as well as on the neck. Skin can be very dry, flaky, thick and dark and itchy all the time.

How can it affect the life

One of the most annoying symptoms of a topic dermatitis is itching. It can be mild, moderate or in some cases more severe. Sometimes the itching can be so severe that the person will scratch the skin until it starts to bleed. It can exacerbate the rash and even increase the risk of infection. This continuous cycle of inflammation and itching is called the "itchy and itchy cycle".

Itching can disrupt the sleep of both an a topic dermatitis sufferer and his family members. In adults, a topic dermatitis can cause irritation and embarrassment, disrupt their work and personal lives, and limit their eating and drinking habits. Children with this condition may be bullied and isolated. In addition, their symptoms may disturb their sleep, which may lead to mood and general health problems.

How it's diagnosed.

To diagnose a topic dermatitis, your doctor will look at your skin (or your child's skin) and ask questions about your personal and family history. If you or a family member has a topic dermatitis, talk to your health care provider about a possible treatment plan. Over time, different approaches to treatment may be needed.

What else can you do?

Proper diagnosis and discussion of the treatment plan with the doctor is the key to a topic dermatitis treatment. Good skin care is also important in facilitating the treatment of a topic dermatitis. Here are some of the things you can do to take care of your skin and make it easier to treat it:

Wear soft, breathable clothes and avoid itching like wool.

To reduce dryness, immediately after bathing, apply a moisturizer to damp skin; short, cold baths are better than long, hot ones.

Keep your nails short and cover your hands while you sleep to avoid scratching the rash and skin. This can help reduce the risk of infection from scratch.

Avoid detergents that contain fragrances, chemicals and solvents; use liquid detergents without soap instead of normal soaps.

Keep an eye out for signs of infection.

It is also important to talk to your healthcare provider to identify a topic dermatitis triggers that may affect you. It may also be helpful to get support from other people living with a topic dermatitis.