Eczema : What Are Eczema Symptoms
Posted on May 17, 2008
Filed Under Skin Care |
Medical science is still divided by what exactly causes eczema and whether it is a genetic trait; the genetic link remains to be proved. The signs are quite unmistakable, with areas of dry, red and itchy skin that are very pronounced. When you have this skin condition you may also have blisters on the surface of the skin that may have many scabs.
The most common type is known generally as atopic eczema; some are even specific to certain areas of the body but one common problem among all of them is itching. Unfortunately, with atopic eczema, scratching these affected areas aggravates the condition more even though it does bring temporary relief from the itching. People who suffer with this also have to stay clear of many everyday substances because using those makes the condition far worse; sufferers avoid contact with soaps and washing powders but other man-made items such as make-up can have the same effect as well.
The situation in small children doesn’t look as severe at first as the patchy red skin is not on the skins surface but below it. There are occasions where a person with eczema can have a rash but it is not itchy; in these situations it is not the disorder causing the problem as itching is the one consistent factor with the condition. However, if the itching has been somehow improved by eczema treatment but the rash has not, then the rash may not be related to the itch.
However, itchy skin is not necessarily a sign of this disorder as many other conditions can make a person have itchy skin, so this cannot be the only basis for a diagnosis. Eczema itching and rashes go hand in hand but medical science still can’t full explain why the skin itches the way it does. The redness seen in the rash is the result of increased blood flow in the area, sometimes caused by the scratching.
The reason the skin can suddenly flare up with eczema and become inflamed is complex because many factors can be involved; scratching can lead to bacteria infecting the area and making the inflammation worse. Sufferers also exhibit blisters quite frequently which are normally quite small although bigger blisters are sometimes visible; this can be the result either of an infection of the skin or the type of condition you have. Most often, the blisters seen as a symptom are filled with fluid; sufferers are advised never to burst them and create further infection in an already highly sensitive area.