|
|
|
7 Tips to Help You Avoid Buying a Destructive Soap or Cleanser if You Have a Skin Problem.
Psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and any other skin problems are irritated very easily by most soaps. As a former psoriasis sufferer I would estimate I tried at least 30 different soaps hoping that would cure my psoriasis. I later discovered I was...
Cancer Diet - The Role of Fibre
This article in the series on Cancer Diet explores the
importance of fibre.
Fibre's role in the body is to assist in the timely expulsion of
waste matter from the bowel. If this waste matter stays put for
too long, the body starts to...
Did You POOP Today?
If you’re like many Americans, constipation is something you’ve experienced. Over 4 million people each year report being constipated. Cases of colon cancer are rising steadily. To understand why you may be suffering, you first need to know...
Review of 24 Hour Fitness
Review of 24 Hour Fitness by Renee Kennedy Overview: 24 Hour Fitness clubs are a national chain with over 300 locations most located in the West and Mid-Western United States. They have three types of clubs: fitness, sports and super-sport. The...
TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE 2
In part one of this series, titled “Take Back Your Life”; we discussed the importance of proper cell function as it relates to wellness. Here in part 2, we will discuss why it is important to feed the organs of your endocrine system to further...
The Carbohydrate Debate
To eat or not to eat carbohydrates. that is the question. There are good carbs and there are bad carbs. How can we tell the difference and how do we know what to eat? The old way of classifying carbohydrates: Complex Carbohydrates provide...
Understanding Bariatric Surgery
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity among adults has risen significantly in the U.S. over the last 20 years. In fact, statistics show that 30 percent of adults 20 years of age and older are obese (body mass index...
Using The 'Fated Encounter' For First Date Seduction Success
Wouldn't it be nice if you could create feelings within a woman of a deep connection with you... even if you two have known each other for only a few hours... and without having to resort to complicated (and risky!) hypnosis tactics? Well, good...
Why Diets Fail and What to do about it.
Why Diets Fail and What You Can Do About It. Written by Phil Satterfield If you are like most people I know, you have tried one diet after another. They decide one day that they are going on a diet and BANG they suddenly dieting. Many times when...
Yo Yo Dieting in Men
When a person wishes to go on a diet, they may experience the
ups and downs that come with the process of dieting. This is
when the term "yo yo dieting" comes into play. Even though a
person may lose weight after beginning a diet, they will have...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eczema: Getting the facts
People from all walks of life and all ages live with eczema; however, it typically appears in infants. Also called contact dermatitis, eczema is actually a group of skin conditions. Although it may sometimes look like a contagious condition, eczema is not contagious.
Symptoms related to eczema depend on the causes and severity of the form of eczema. A person with mild eczema has dry, hot, and itchy skin. Severe eczema causes the skin to crack, bleed, and often takes a long time to heal. Inflammation in the area is common depending on the type of eczema.
Type of eczema
More information
Atopic eczema
- Most common form of eczema; affects children and adults.Symptoms include:
- extreme itchiness
- dryness of the skin
- redness
- inflammation
Irritant contact dermatitis
- Occurs when skin becomes irritated by detergents and other chemicals (e.g. perfumes, soaps, bubble bath powder and more).
Varicose eczema
- Affects skin on the lower legs and is caused by poor circulation of blood.
Allergic contact dermatitis
- Body's immune system attacks a substance in the skin.
- Symptoms are similar to those listed for atopic eczema.
Infantile seborrhoeic eczema
- Found on infants under one year old.
- Often looks unpleasant but does not affect the infant's comfort and may appear on the scalp or bottom.
Discoid eczema
- Typically associated with adults.
- Found on upper body and lower legs.
Dealing with eczema
In order to deal with eczema, you need to figure out what type of eczema you have. A doctor can help a person living with eczema or someone caring for a child with eczema manage the condition.
Diagnosis of eczema is not simple. A doctor must look at the person's medical history, when they first recognized the condition and what triggers the condition. Some people with atopic dermatitis have allergies and may need allergy testing, especially if treatment with medication is not working.
Reducing the number and frequency of outbreaks is the goal of any eczema treatment. To reach this goal, a person living with eczema may need to:
- make certain lifestyle changes (e.g. avoid certain irritating products)
- use medication to control the outbreaks
- kidneys
- follow a regular skin care routine
Lifestyle changes are often useful in reducing and preventing the symptoms of eczema. However, some of these lifestyle changes work for some people and not others. Some changes to consider include:
- wearing cotton clothing and using cotton bedding to reduce the itchiness associated with the condition. Synthetic fibres don't allow the skin to breathe and wool can irritate the skin.
- using biological laundry detergents, also avoid using fabric softeners. Synthetic laundry detergents, and fabric softeners may increase itchiness and
cause a person to scratch more often. As a result, not using them may help reduce the skin's itchiness.
- vacuuming, dusting, and changing bedding regularly. This is extremely important because it reduces the number of house dust mites and the droppings from dust mites that are found in bedding, mattresses, curtains, and carpets.
- possible changes to the foods you eat. Even though the link between diet and eczema is not conclusive, making changes to certain foods consumed in some severe cases of eczema, especially in babies and young children seems beneficial. Always ask your doctor before making dietary changes to ensure the foods eaten will include all necessary nutrients for growth and development.
Common treatments for people with eczema require moisturization of the skin and use of medications, if necessary. Treatment is usually based on a person's age, health, medical history as well as the type and severity of eczema. Possible treatments consist of:
- lotions and creams: These products are applied directly on the skin to keep in as much moisture as possible. Using organic lotions and creams may be a good alternative to non-organic moisturizers since the non-organic moisturizers contain synthetic chemicals that may cause an outbreak. Moisturizing the skin after showering helps lock in moisture.
- medications such as topical steroids, oral steroids, and topical immunomodulators: Prescription and non-prescription corticosteroids come in the form of creams and ointments that can be applied to the skin. Prescription corticosteroids are more potent than non-prescription ointments but both have potential side effects, especially if used for long periods of time. Oral steroids are usually prescribed for severe outbreaks. Topical immunomodulators do not contain steroids and are available by prescription to treat atopic eczema.
Other tips that may help people with eczema improve the skin's condition include:
- keeping nails short
- avoiding sudden changes in temperatures (e.g. going from cold environments to hot environments)
- relaxing to reduce stress
References:
- www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/whatis.aspl
- www.eczema.org
- www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/treatment.aspl
- www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/preventing.aspl
- The Organic Makeup Company can be located at http://www.organicmakeupcompany.com
About the Author
Lori Stryker has been researching and developing all natural skin care and make-up for the purpose of offering men and women safe, natural cosmetics for everyday use. She brings to her research a specialist in human biology from the University of Toronto, coupled with a professional home economics degree and an education degree from the University of British Columbia, fusing chemical and biological knowledge with food, family and textile sciences.
|
|
|
|
|
|