ECZEMA BLOG

Eczema Rashes

2011-10-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

Eczema rashes are generally a dry, rough feeling, scaly patch of thickened skin. The dryness of the rash reduces the protective quality of the skin, making it less effective at protecting against heat, cold, fluid loss, and bacterial infection.

Redness is common in eczema rashes. The redness can fluctuate, appearing bright red at some times of the day while at others it is barely noticeable. The redness is usually most obvious when you are hot, have just exercised, or after a hot bath.

ATOPIC ECZEMA

2011-08-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

The most common form of eczema rash is atopic eczema. Dryness thickening, excoriation, and even scarring mark the rash associated with atopic eczema rash. The chronic condition of atopic eczema is not contagious. Atopic eczema is most commonly located in areas where the body bends or experiences contact thus creating friction that can cause eczema. This type of eczema affects 15 million people and is usually accompanied by asthma and hay fever. Trigger factors for atopic eczema may include soap, harsh chemicals, heat and humidity, stress, certain foods (most common offenders include eggs, milk, wheat, soy protein, and peanut). Many of these ingredients can turn up in unusual places, such as all-natural soaps, makeup, cream or lotions. Inhalant allergens such as house dust mites, pets, pollen and cut grass are also triggers that can cause eczema.

Atopic eczema may also affect the skin around the eyes, the eyelids, and the eyebrows and lashes. Scratching and rubbing the eye area can cause the skin to become red, irritated and inflamed. Scratching and rubbing the area can result in patchy areas involving loss of eyebrows and eyelashes. Signs and symptoms of eye complications also include eye watering and inflammation of the eyelid and the lining of the eyelid. These ocular symptoms of eczema can be very similar to ocular rosacea and can be treated as effectively as one would treat the symptoms of ocular rosacea.

Cause of Eczema

2011-08-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

Eczema occurs as a result of an immune system response to an irritant either through contact, inhalation or ingestion. The body activates an immune system response often resulting in a flushed appearance, a rash, or welts on the skin. The symptoms of eczema include itching, redness, dry/flaky skin, and even blisters. Usually the first symptom of eczema is intense itching; this itching can be very uncomfortable and individuals may tend to scratch the skin. The itchy feeling is an important symptom in eczema, because scratching and rubbing in response to itching worsen the skin inflammation characteristic of eczema. Scratching makes the eczema symptoms worse. The dry skin will become redder in color and may even crack due to scratching. Scratching may also lead to infection. The urge to scratch symptom becomes a repetitive cycle: the more you scratch, the more it itches.

The Treatment of Eczema

2011-07-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

When treating your eczema, you may not always be able to control the factors that trigger or aggravate your eczema, but you can control your approach toward tackling those triggers. A natural treatment to improve eczema skin can be found in basic lifestyle changes. The management of eczema is not simple. No one treatment works for everyone, since the areas involved and the degree of itching affects different people in different ways. At best we try to alleviate the intense itching, which, in essence, is the disease. Interrupt and stop this fierce symptom and we break the itch-scratch reflex, which is wholly responsible for the clinical manifestation - the rash.

Eczema Treatment Goals

2011-06-27T03:58:00.000-07:00

The primary goals in the treatment of eczema are to control the itching and reduce the rashes and inflammation. The treatment of eczema is generally based on the sufferer’s age, the severity of their eczema condition, and the type of eczema they have. Eczema tends to flare-up when the person is exposed to certain trigger factors. These substances or conditions worsen the eczema, such as dry skin, irritants, allergens, emotional stress, heat and sweating, and infections. Keeping the skin well hydrated and avoiding over-bathing is important in the treatment of eczema.

Eczema Treatment With Eczema-Ltd

2011-06-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

Eczema-Ltd III is a natural topical application specially formulated for skin that is sensitive or inflamed due to eczema. Eczema-Ltd is not a drug. It is composed of natural minerals, which help nourish damaged and irritated skin often related to eczema symptoms. Eczema-Ltd III promotes a healthy looking skin appearnce. Within days, you will notice positive changes in the condition of your skin.

It is important to treat the specific cause of your eczema, and the factors affecting your eczema in as many methods as possible. One way is with lifestyle changes - simple changes in your diet and daily routine can have a huge positive impact on your skin. Another way is by eliminating contact with environmental factors which can aggravate the sensitive skin such as allergens, harsh chemicals, certain metals, and irritating fabrics. A third way is through the use of Eczema-Ltd III - a natural alternative to eczema health care.

What is Eczema?

2010-12-21T07:50:00.000-08:00

Eczema is a common skin disorder. The symptoms of eczema may include any or all of the following: dry skin, rough patches of skin, skin redness, itchy skin, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding skin and scaling of the skin. One of the most common symptom is the itch, which is a side effect of eczema.

Eczema affects both children and adults with a rash or red patches of irritated skin. The normal cause or response of eczema is due to contact with a skin irritant or environmental factor such as products with chemicals including detergents, perfumes and cosmetics and sometimes clothing that has an allergen or rub or abrade an area or shoes that continue to irritate the foot or ankle.

Tips to Controlling Eczema

2010-12-02T08:02:00.000-08:00

Here are suggested ways to prevent an outbreak of eczema, courtesy of the Princeton University Health Services:
Apply lotion immediately after getting out of the shower to keep your skin well-moisturized.
Don't take very long baths or showers, and avoid using very hot water that can dry skin.
Don't use harsh soaps or detergents that can irritate the skin.
Try to avoid becoming overheated or very sweaty.
Try to avoid becoming stressed.
Keep skin well covered during winter.
Try not to wear itchy fabrics made of wool or some synthetic fibers

Commonly Found Eczema Treatments

2010-11-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

An effective eczema treatment should control and prevent the redness and inflammation and itching associated with eczema. The treatment of eczema should include both lifestyle changes and eczema treatments to resolve the eczema symptoms.

Treatment is always based upon an individual's age, overall health status, and the type and severity of the condition. The most common eczema treatments are as follows:

1.Corticosteroid creams are too often prescribed to when a lesser product can solve the problem with out the side effects of corticorsteroids. The corticosteroids creams decrease the inflammatory reaction in the skin.
2.If itching is severe, oral antihistamines are prescribed and if sedative type of antihistamines are prescribed such as diphenhydramine of the brand name of Benadryl.
At times several days of oral corticosteroids such as prednisone may be prescribed to control an acute outbreak of eczema. The continued use of corticosteroids can have harmful side effects.
3. Cyclosporine (oral immunosuppressant prescrption drug) has been used ocassionally.
4.Ultraviolet light therapy has provided some relief for people with eczema.
5.Elidel (immune suppressant drugs) have received severe warnings by the FDA and are being removed from the U.S. drug market due to the irritaion to the skin and research studies linked Elidel to cancer cell formation. Elidel should not be used on eczema patients who have compromised immune systems.
5.Eczema-Ltd III can be used with out side effects to change the appearance of the eczema patient's skin.

The diagnosis of eczema can be made more difficult by the similarity of other skin conditions to eczema such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, acne, and rosacea. And to make treatment more challenging, all of these skin conditions have various sub-types that make the final diagnosis and effective treatment more complicated.

Understanding Hand Eczema

2010-10-11T06:50:00.000-07:00

Hand eczema caused by frequent contact with everyday substances, such as detergents and chemicals, which are irritating to the skin. It can be prevented by avoiding the irritants and keeping the skin moisturized. A good moisturizer to use is a pure jojoba oil.

Hand eczema becomes more common as people get older. There are two types of hand eczema:

1) Direct irritant contact eczema: due to physical damage to the skin caused by friction or certain chemicals. The rash occurs at the point of direct contact with the skin.

2) Allergic contact eczema: due to exposure to an allergen that sensitizes the immune system resulting in an antibody response. Further contact with the allergen causes an increasing level of antibody response with the rash developing on other parts of the body other then the point of physical contact.

Symptoms of hand eczema include scaling and thickening of the skin. In two thirds of contact dermatitis cases the hands are involved because of sensitizing agents the sufferer has encountered at work and even the home. Common allergens are plants, chromate, formaldehyde, thiurams, ethylene diamine, and mercaptobenzothiazole.

One solution is to wear vinyl or plastic gloves for work that requires you to have your hands in water. Also, wear gloves when your hands will be exposed to anything that can irritate your skin. Wear cotton gloves under plastic gloves to soak up sweat from your hands. Take occasional breaks and remove your gloves to prevent a buildup of sweat inside your gloves. Wear gloves when you go outside during the winter. Cold air and low humidity can dry your skin, and dryness can make your eczema worse.

Common skin irritants include:
* Lemons
* Potatoes
* Household chemicals
* detergents

Eczema-Ltd for the Treatment of Eczema

2010-08-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

Eczema-Ltd III was designed for sensitive eczema skin. During the past 10 years, 98% of Eczema-Ltd III patients confirm that they are very happy with their improvement in the appearance of their facial skin condition within 2 to 3 weeks. Eczema-Ltd III received its name by being our third generation to meet the patients needs by improving the appearance of their skin. The ingredients within Eczema-Ltd III are 99.2% natural ingredients that are already within the healthy human body which meets the needs of the body. There are no harsh, synthetic steroids, messy coal tars nor oral medications.

Defining Eczema

2010-07-07T08:01:00.000-07:00

Eczema is a common skin disorder. Symptoms of eczema include dry, rough, red, itchy, skin dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding skin and scaling of the skin. One of the most common symptoms is the itch, which is a side effect of eczema.

The early stages of eczema include symptoms causing the skin to turn red, blister, and ooze. Later stages of eczema can cause the skin to turn a brownish color and be scaly. In almost every case, eczema itches. Eczema can be widespread or limited to a few areas. Eczema runs its course through three distinct phases: acute, sub acute, and chronic.

The usual symptoms associated with the acute stage of eczema include pain, heat, tenderness, and possible itching. The affected areas are characterized by extreme redness and drainage at the lesion site. In acute eczema you would experience vesicles, blisters, and intense redness of the skin. The skin surface may sting, burn, or may itch intensely. The standard courses of treatment at this time would include cold wet compresses, antihistamines, antibiotics, and possibly a short-term course of steroids. The acute disease typically is characterized by inflammation, redness, swelling, and itching, as well as some blistering and oozing. Skin biopsies show inflammatory cells and swelling.

The sub acute phase of eczema includes symptoms associated with skin redness and crusting; however, there is no extreme swelling. You may observe redness, scaling of the skin, fissures, and a parched or scalded appearance to the skin. People in the sub acute phase tend to complain about the symptom of itching more than the pain. The itching in the sub acute phase is generally slight to moderate with possible stinging and burning. The basic course of treatment at this time would include a topical steroid, emollients, antihistamines, and antibiotics. The sub acute disease typically is characterized by inflammation, redness, swelling, and itching, as well as some blistering and oozing. Skin biopsies show inflammatory cells and swelling.

Individuals with lesions developed over three months are referred to as having chronic eczema. Itching is a predominant symptom in this phase as well and scratching causes the lesion to worsen. In the chronic stages of eczema the skin would show a thickened, lichenified, excoriation and or fissuring appearance. At this time you would experience a moderate to intense itch. The standard courses of treatment would include an antihistamine, antibiotics, emollients, and possibly a topical steroid. Chronic eczema is identified by thickened, leathery skin with excess ridges, as well as dark and dull skin. Under the microscope, the outermost (epidermal) skin layer is seen to proliferate and become elongated.

COMMON CAUSES OF HAND ECZEMA

2010-06-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

Wear vinyl or plastic gloves for work that requires you to have your hands in water. Also, wear gloves when your hands will be exposed to anything that can irritate your skin. Wear cotton gloves under plastic gloves to soak up sweat from your hands. Take occasional breaks and remove your gloves to prevent a buildup of sweat inside your gloves.
Wear gloves when you go outside during the winter. Cold air and low humidity can dry your skin, and dryness can make your eczema worse.

Common skin irritants include:
Lemons and other citris fruit
Potatoes
Household chemicals
detergents

Facial eczema or Rosacea?

2010-05-28T10:05:00.000-07:00

Facial eczema may sometimes be confused with rosacea.

The symptoms of eczema include dry, rough, red, itchy, skin dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding skin and scaling of the skin. A most common is the itch that is a side effect of eczema.

The symptoms of rosacea include facial redness which begins slowly and gradually becomes more persistent with spidery blood vessels which become progressively prominent on the nose and cheeks. Inflammatory papules (without pus) and pustules (with pus) develop and over time continue to worsen. Facial pores often become larger and more prominent. If there has been much sun exposure damage over the years, the skin becomes more leathery skin becomes more wrinkled as it is not elastic or as soft to bend. Eventually, the sides of the neck as well as the area down to the center of the chest began to redden and later the ears and area behind the ears also become more red. The facial skin contours gradually become coarse and thickened.

Can Sunlight Cause Eczema?

2010-05-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Eczema that is caused by sunlight is rare. If it happens it is likely to occur on the face, hands and arms. Using high factor sun creams can treat it. People suffering with light or photo-sensitve eczema may not associate their skin condition with sun light. It is not always the bright summer sun, which is responsible; some people also react to winter daylight, and very sensitive people have reported to react to fluorescent lamps indoors. Sometimes this eczema can be caused when people are taking medication that reacts to sunlight e.g. antihistamines and arthritis medications. Ingredients in soaps and cosmetics may also cause this.

What is Eczema?

2010-05-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

Eczema is a common skin condition often considered to be a subset of dermatitis. Eczema consists of areas of dry, rough, red, itchy skin. Eczema results in skin dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. The most common symptom that people complain about is the itch that is a side effect of eczema. It's sometimes called the 'itch that rashes', meaning that once you start scratching, you develop a rash.

Eczema is considered to be an inflammation of the top layers of the skin. Eczema can affect any part of the body, and is associated with an allergic reaction to an allergen. Eczema typically occurs in people with a family history of allergies, hay fever or asthma.

Eczema will typically worsen after exposure to the allergen.

The Benefits of Omega-3's in Treating Eczema

2010-04-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to be beneficial in some individuals with the inflammatory skin disease eczema, leading to reduced itching and erythema. When Omega-3 fatty acids were combined with other medical treatments, most people responded favorably. In fact, the presence of Omega-3's appears to offset the negative side effects of some of the other medications commonly used to treat eczema. Research is underway to see if Omega-3 fatty acids can be used with other medications to relieve this distressing condition without any uncomfortable or unsafe side effects. In atopic, or allergic, eczema there is an excessive reaction by the immune system producing inflamed, irritated, and sore skin. People suffering from eczema often have low levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and altered essential fatty acid metabolism. Eczema sufferers are also more prone to developing allergies and inflammation. Consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids can be most beneficial in reducing the inflammation from rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis.

The Distinct Stages of Eczema

2010-03-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

Eczema, often called dermatitis is another name for inflamed skin. Eczema affects people of all age groups, but is most common in infants and young adults.

Early stages of eczema can cause the skin to turn red, blister, and ooze. Later stages of eczema can cause the skin to turn a brownish color and be scaly. In almost every case, eczema itches. Eczema can be widespread or limited to a few areas. Atopic eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is the most common form of eczema. Eczema runs its course through three distinct phases: acute, sub acute, and chronic.

The usual symptoms associated with the acute stage of eczema include pain, heat, tenderness, and possible itching. The affected areas are characterized by extreme redness and drainage at the lesion site. In acute eczema you would experience vesicles, blisters, and intense redness of the skin. The skin surface will sting, burn, or may itch intensely. The common examples for this stage of eczema would include acute contact eczema, acute nummular eczema, stasis eczema, and pompholyx eczema. The standard courses of treatment at this time would include cold wet compresses, antihistamines, antibiotics, and possibly a short-term course of steroids. The acute disease typically is characterized by inflammation, redness, swelling, and itching, as well as some blistering and oozing. Skin biopsies show inflammatory cells and swelling.

The sub acute phase of eczema includes symptoms associated with skin redness and crusting; however, there is no extreme swelling. You may observe redness, scaling of the skin, fissures, and a parched or scalded appearance to the skin. People in the sub acute phase tend to complain about the symptom of itching more than the pain. The itching in the sub acute phase is generally slight to moderate with possible stinging and burning. The common examples of the sub acute phase include contact allergy, irritation, atopic eczema, stasis eczema, nummular and asteatotic eczema. The basic course of treatment at this time would include a topical steroid, emollients, antihistamines, and antibiotics. The sub acute disease typically is characterized by inflammation, redness, swelling, and itching, as well as some blistering and oozing. Skin biopsies show inflammatory cells and swelling.

Individuals with lesions developed over three months are referred to as having chronic eczema. Itching is a predominant symptom in this phase as well and scratching causes the lesion to worsen. In the chronic stages of eczema the skin would show a thickened, lichenified, excoriation and or fissuring appearance. At this time you would experience a moderate to intense itch. Chronic eczema most occurs in atopic eczema and lichen simplex chronic eczema, fingertip eczema, and hyperkeratosis eczema. Again your standard courses of treatment would include an antihistamine, antibiotics, emollients, and possibly a topical steroid. Chronic dermatitis is identified by thickened, leathery skin with excess ridges, as well as dark and dull skin. Under the microscope, the outermost (epidermal) skin layer is seen to proliferate and become elongated.

Is Your Eczema Treatment Putting You at Risk For Cancer and Infection?

2010-03-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Novartis AG and Astellas Pharma eczema drugs may need their warning labels expanded after dozens of new reported cases of cancer and infection in children, U.S. Food and Drug Administration staff said in documents released on Thursday.
Agency scientists said 46 cancer cases and 71 infection cases have been reported in patients aged 16 and younger from 2004 to 2008 with Novartis' Elidel and Astellas' Protopic.
Both drugs -- also known as pimecrolimus and tacrolimus respectively -- already carry strong warnings about cancer and infection, but officials should consider expanding them to include the new post-marketing reports, they wrote.
The documents were released ahead of an FDA advisory meeting Monday to weigh potential safety concerns with a variety of drugs used in younger patients.
Additionally, other FDA staffers said the warning label for GlaxoSmithKline Plc's herpes drug Valtrex was "insufficient" for certain central nervous system side effects in children, although no other concerns were seen.
Another scientist noted concerns about the use of Pfizer Inc's antibiotic Zmax in pregnant women and the potential for it to cause stomach blockages in newborns.
The FDA will weigh the recommendations from its panel of outside advisers before taking any action.
It was not clear what staff reviewers thought about the weight-loss drug orlistat, marketed as Glaxo's Alli and Roche Holding AG's Xenical. No new safety concerns were seen with other drugs to be discussed at the meeting, FDA staff said. Those drugs include:
* L'Oreal sunscreen ingredient Anthelios 40
* DuPont imaging agent Cardiolite (technetium Tc-99)
* Sanofi-Aventis allergy drug Nasacort AQ (triamcinolone); five-disease vaccine Pentacel; diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine Daptacel
* Privately held Boehringer Ingelheim's HIV drug Viramune (nevirapine)
* Glaxo's rotavirus vaccine Rotarix; diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine Kinrix
(Editing by Dave Zimmerman)

Eczema Ltd - Eczema Treatment And Research

2010-03-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

The Eczema Ltd Team of Skin Care Researchers possess a total of 40 years of collective research led by a Johns Hopkins MD. They have confirmed that the main cause or etiology of eczema is an immune system disorder, but there are many other causes as well. The main causes of eczema are listed below along with descriptions of the form of eczema they are most commonly associated with:

General allergic over-sensitivity, called atopy also known as atopic eczema. Atopic eczema is linked with asthma and hay fever, which are conditions of the immune system. These conditions are often passed down through the generations of a family.

Contact with substances that irritate the skin chemically, called irritant contact eczema. This is caused by direct contact between the skin and the substance, which might be a detergent, soap, diesel or engine oil, strong chemicals in household cleaners, acids, alkaline mixtures, detergents, etc. and various other chemicals that acutely inflame the skin. The condition can become chronic with repeated exposure. This form of eczema is often encountered in the workplace. Direct irritant contact eczema can occur at the first exposure. For example, most people will develop this form of eczema on first exposure to strong chemicals that are acid or alkaline in nature.

Contact with substances that sensitize the skin, leading to acute inflammation when re-exposure occurs is called allergic contact eczema. This type commonly involves nickel, poison ivy, cosmetics, and rubber products. Prior exposure to the irritant allergen is necessary for allergic contact eczema to occur.

Exposure to sunlight as well as certain medications that cause photosensitivity can result in light sensitive eczema.

Infants exposed to moisture from drool or those that have inflammation of the scalp (cradle cap) can develop infantile eczema.

Varicose veins can lead to a form of eczema affecting the lower legs, called stasis eczema. This is also known as varicose or gravitational eczema.

Other types of eczema which arise as a result of causes within the body include:

Seborrheic eczema is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting areas of the head and trunk where sebaceous glands are most prominent. Adult seborrheic eczema is believed by some to be caused by a yeast condition.

Discoid or nummular eczema also called varicose eczema, or gravitational eczema is usually found in adults and appears suddenly as a few coin shaped areas of red skin normally on the trunk or lower legs. This rash may look similar to ringworm. These areas become itchy and can weep fluid. Discoid eczema is often treated successfully with moisturizers. It can be considered as an adult form of atopic eczema. Discoid eczema may be complicated by a bacterial infection, which causes weeping and crusting.

Pompholyx or Dyshidrotic (a.k.a. hand-and-foot) eczema appears as intensely itchy blisters on the hands, fingers, and soles of the feet. When it affects the hands it's called cheiropompholyx and when it affects the feet it's called pedopompholyx. It is also known as pompholyx, keratolysis exfoliativa, or vesicular eczema of the hands and/or feet. The term pompholyx (Greek "bubble") is generally reserved for the cases of deep-seated itching blisters which are generally associated with, but not caused by, excessive sweating (hyperhydrosis).

Juvenile plantar or foot eczema is a skin inflammation triggered by friction of the sole of the foot often from rubbing against the inside of an ill-fitting synthetic athletic shoe or trainer. After its first report in 1968, it has been described under a variety of names (e.g. juvenile plantar dermatitis, forefoot dermatitis, atopic winter feet, dermatitis plantaris sicca, forefoot eczema, peri-digital dermatitis, sweating sock dermatitis) depending on the belief concerning its cause and possible association with atopy. Juvenile plantar eczema affects mainly children. One or both feet may be involved and sometimes the hands. Juvenile plantar eczema is seen most often in boys between 3-15 years of age, but it occasionally occurs in adults. When it occurs in children it does tend to gradually improve. It is usually most severe during the summer months.

and Lichen simplex caused by rubbing and scratching by eczema sufferers over a prolonged period causes areas of thickened skin to develop. This is most commonly found on the lower limbs and the nape of the neck. Potent treatment may be needed to relieve the intense itch in these thickened areas.

Eczema can cause a wide range of symptoms. All types of eczema cause itch, with the exception of seborrheic. The main symptoms (one or all may be present) include: redness, weeping skin, pain, heat, tenderness, scaling, crusting, dryness, fissures (broken skin), and vesicles (small blisters) occur. Over time, damage to the epidermis (the upper layer of the skin) can cause it to thicken and become scaly (lichenification).

Treating Dry Skin in Winter

2010-03-03T07:58:00.000-08:00

Winter itch occurs during cold weather. Cold weather wreaks havoc on our skin, sometimes making it dry and flaky. Skin dries out if it's deprived of water and this dryness often causes itchiness, resulting in a condition commonly referred to as "winter itch." Winter itch is not specifically a condition of the elderly, anyone may suffer from dry, flakey skin in the winter time. Winter itch is not isolated to the legs, arms and hands but can occur anywhere on the body.

1) Use moisturizers regularly, particularly after bathing. Using a moisturizer like jojoba oil will effectively treat dryness and even difficult areas such as heels and elbows, softening the skin and providing protection. Jojoba oil is very similar to the natural restorative oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the dermal layers of the skin. Jojoba oil is non-allergenic and will not clog the pores.
2) Avoiding overheating rooms. Consider using a humidifier to keep heated indoor air moist. Humidified air is easier to breathe, too. Room humidifiers in bedroom may help (keep humidity above 50%).
3) Limiting and adjusting the method of bathing. Baths dry out the skin more than showers, and hot or cold water is more drying than warm. One or two thorough baths or showers a week can be supplemented by daily sponge baths under the arms. Take short baths or showers with warm water. Hot water can make you itch more. Ask your doctor about the use of oatmeal soaking products in your bath to help control the itching. After bathing, don't rub your skin dry with a rough towel. That just irritates your skin more. Gently pat it dry to get the water off.
4) Avoiding the use of deodorant soaps. many soaps contian ingredients that can be irritating to the skin. Deodorant soaps can further irritate the skin. Deep cleansing is a popular notion but if a skin product is too harsh or aggressive the result can be irritation, redness, itching and clogged pores. If a product removes too much of the body's natural protective oils, the skin can become dry, flakey producing a cracked or craquele appearance. Change wash-cloths and body towels after each use. They are a great place for bacteria to grow and be reapplied to the skin later. Cetaphil® "moisturizing gentle cleansing bar for dry, sensitive skin" is an excellent option in skin care. Cetaphil® is manufactured by Galderma Labs of Paris, France with world wide offices which you can search for a purchase location within any country. Other options in cleansing bars include: Dove "normal white bar" that has been known for years for use on sensitive skin. Neutrogena (the transparent facial bar) "dry skin formula - fragrance free" is very good.
5) Avoiding excessive friction on the skin, such as scrubbing with harsh washcloths or wearing woolen clothing. Stay away from irritants or substances, which can trigger allergic reactions.

Foot Eczema Is Common in Winter

2010-01-05T09:25:00.000-08:00

Juvenile Plantar Eczema or "foot eczema" is skin inflammation triggered by friction of the sole of the foot often from rubbing against the inside of an ill-fitting synthetic athletic shoe or trainer. Juvenile Plantar Eczema is also known as juvenile plantar dermatitis, forefoot dermatitis, atopic winter feet, dermatitis plantaris sicca, forefoot eczema, peri-digital dermatitis, sweating sock dermatitis.

Juvenile plantar eczema most often occurs in boys between 3-15 years of age, but it occasionally occurs in adults and females. When it occurs in children it does tend to gradually improve. It is usually most severe during the summer months. The synthetic materials or chemicals used in the shoes or socks often play an important role in foot eczema. Sweat retention and covering of the feet by woolen or polyester socks aggravates this condition. Keeping the foot for a long time in a shoe or sock without aeration is an important triggering factor. Changing to leather footwear and wearing cotton socks may help relieve the problem. Above all else it is important that the footwear fits well and the sole of the foot is not sliding against the insole of the shoe. Walking barefooted on woolen or polyester carpets may contribute to juvenile plantar eczema as this may lead to static electric charges that may play a role in skin dryness and initiation of this condition.

Juvenile plantar eczema is characterized by symmetrical smooth, red-glazed appearance of the skin with fissuring, loss of epidermal ridge pattern, and fine scaling. It causes the sole of the foot to become red, hot, and sore. The most common symptoms are redness, irritation, cracking, and soreness, itching is seldom reported. The plantar surfaces of the larger toes are the first areas to be involved. Other weight-bearing areas are subsequently affected, but there is relative sparing of the instep and inter-digital web spaces of the foot.

Itchy skin can be psychologically stressful

2009-12-31T07:54:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Chronically itchy skin can take not only a physical toll but a psychological one as well, a new study suggests.

Research has linked various skin conditions, such as severe acne, psoriasis and eczema, to higher risks of depression, anxiety and stress in some individuals. But it has not been clear whether chronic itchiness -- a common symptom of skin disorders -- can cause its own distress.

The new study, of more than 2,200 Japanese adults age 18 and up, found that 3 percent complained of chronically itchy skin, also known as pruritus. And the more severe the problem, the more likely they were to score high on a measure of psychological stress.

The findings suggest that the symptom itself, and not just the disorders it marks, can take an emotional toll, according to the researchers, led by Dr. Yosuke Yamamoto of Kyoto University in Japan.

They report the results in the latest issue of Archives of Dermatology.

The study included 2,224 Japanese adults who kept health diaries over one month and completed a standard questionnaire called the Perceived Stress Scale -- which measures, for instance, how often a person has felt "nervous" or "stressed" in the past month.

Participants used the diaries to record the presence and severity of various symptoms, including itchiness.

Overall, Yamamoto's team found, participants with itchy skin had a higher average score on the stress scale than other participants did. And the more frequent the symptom, the higher the scores.

The link between itchiness and stress was also seen among participants who had more than two health complaints. This, according to the researchers, suggests that itchiness itself has psychological effects independent of other health problems.

A number of skin conditions -- including eczema, recurrent hives and psoriasis -- are marked by sometimes intensely itchy skin. The current findings suggest that if the symptom is not well-controlled, it can be a source of psychological, as well as physical, hardship, according to the researchers.

They point out that the questionnaire they used in the study cannot diagnose clinical depression or other mental health disorders. But people's scores do serve as an indicator of general psychological distress.

In turn, the researchers note, chronic stress may affect the immune, hormonal and cardiovascular systems, potentially affecting long-term physical health.

How Can We Reduce Stress Related To Itchy Skin?

Dermatitis-Ltd tells us it is important in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis to treat the cause of the disease and the aggravating factors in as many ways as possible. Those who modify their lifestyles, mind their eating habits, and reduce their level of stress often experience a much greater degree of eczema and psoriasis clearing. There are several excellent methods of stress reduce to aid in eczema and psoriasis control.

Stress is the body's reaction to a perceived threat. Adrenaline and hormones are released, and the nervous system is activated, sharpening our senses, but simultaneously our pulse raises, our muscles tense and our immune system begins to shut down. Those that cannot relieve stress as needed may experience fatigue, upset stomach, and frequent headaches. Adult acne and rosacea are sometimes by-products of stress and/or dehydration.

Avoid stressful situations. Anger, embarrassment and fright may all result in flushing and trigger rosacea symptoms.

You can combat stress by changing your situation, your attitude toward people and things (we can learn to be positive), and taking the personal time out to have fun and friendship. Sleep eight hours or more per night to help alleviate stress. Caffeine, being a stimulant, can make you hyper and cause difficulty in sleeping.

Stimulants such as coffee, tea, cigarettes, and excessive sugar from sweets and soda are vascular dilators and should be avoided. Sodas (soft drinks, pop) containing aspartame and or NutraSweet cause excessive redness in approximately 30% of rosacea sufferers and should be avoided. Anything that affects the entire body, brain, and nervous system to awaken it in the morning or stimulate it during the day can easily stimulate the sebaceous glands to secrete more oil that has to leave the body via the pores. Also, stimulants create stress.

Aerobic exercise is a great way to alkalize your body by replacing carbon dioxide with oxygen. However, any exercise should be moderated to prevent a build-up of lactic acid,an acidic byproduct of muscle activity. When your muscles begin to "burn," you know that lactic acid is building up. If you exercise regularly, try to break up your sessions for a maximum of thirty minutes at a time and remember to drink more water on days you are exercising. Otherwise, fifteen minutes of aerobic exercise each day would be a good start.

SOURCE: Archives of Dermatology, December 2009.

Relieve Eczema Irritation and Dryness with Moisture

2009-12-29T08:05:00.000-08:00

Eczema can result from skin contact with a substance that irritates the skin. The symptoms of eczema include itching, redness, dry/flaky skin, and even blisters. Usually the first symptom of eczema is intense itching; this itching can be very uncomfortable and individuals may tend to scratch the skin. The itchy feeling is an important symptom in eczema, because scratching and rubbing in response to itching worsen the skin inflammation characteristic of eczema. The will become redder in color and may even crack due to scratching. Scratching may also lead to infection. The urge to scratch symptom becomes a repetitive cycle: the more you scratch, the more it itches.

Moisturizers can be helpful in protecting the skin from dryness and irritation. An excellent moisturizer is 100% pure Jojoba oil with no preservatives. It is an excellent moisturizer and softens the skin by a dual action – firstly by forming a non-greasy lipid layer, which is partially occlusive (thereby preventing water-loss through the skin) and by the diffusion of Jojoba into the intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum to soften this tissue. The importance of Jojoba oil derives from its similarity to the natural restorative oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the dermal layers of the skin. Jojoba oil is non-allergenic and will not clog the pores.

Jojoba is completely mixable with the natural sebum of the skin, and when used on the skin, forms a very thin, non-greasy lipoid layer. This layer is partially porous and provides exceptional trans-epidermal respiration and moisture control. Unlike greasy occlusive materials such as petrolatum, mineral oils, and some lanolin products, Jojoba oil provides an absolutely non-tacky, non-oily, and non-greasy, dry softening to the skin.

Jojoba is an extremely functional ingredient in hair and scalp preparations and many scalp related problems are caused by a hardened build-up of sebum that clogs the hair follicles and may cause some types of scaling. If this hardened build-up is not removed, it can eventually obstruct the hair follicle's ability to function properly, which can lead to a loss of the hair shaft, and ultimately, death of the follicle. Jojoba rapidly penetrates down to the scalp and hair shaft, and readily loosens and dissolves this hardened build-up. The scalp and hair follicles are left clean and free to continue their normal function. It is also an excellent soil-dissolving agent, which can remove sticky build-up on the hair from many modern hair preparations as well as airborne particulates. Jojoba will leave the hair clean and supple. Jojoba exhibits a matchless keratoplastic effect that leaves the hair shimmering and brings out the hair's natural color overtones and brilliance, and a periodic treatment with Jojoba oil being massaged into the scalp and hair, and then left to do its work, can make a vast difference to the quality of your hair as well as the health of your scalp.

Since Jojoba oil has an affinity to the skin, and the normal skin lubrication found in the skin (sebum), it is used with great effect in a variety of skin care applications, ranging from anti-acne to anti-aging products. It has a great effect on fighting wrinkles, as well as having an anti-bacterial effect on the skin. Although people see Jojoba as oil, it is really a wax ester, and is non-oily or greasy and contains high levels of tocopherols, which have an antioxidant effect on the skin.

Skin absorption studies at the University of Michigan demonstrated that Jojoba is quickly absorbed into the skin, which is apparently via the transappendegeal mechanism and occurs through the pores and hair follicles – but because it is so rapidly absorbed, the pores and hair follicles remain open and thus maintain their proper functioning ability.

Eczema Treatment and Research

2009-11-20T07:53:00.000-08:00

The diagnosis of eczema can be made more difficult by the similarity of other skin conditions to eczema such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, acne, and rosacea. And to make treatment more challenging, all of these skin conditions have various sub-types that make the final diagnosis and effective treatment more complicated.

If your skin condition is located in the facial area, you may be suffering from rosacea, acne, and seborrheic dermatitis, atopic, or contact eczema. Understanding the differences in these conditions can make the treatment of your skin condition more effective. Making this process even more difficult is the fact that you can actually suffer from more than one skin condition at a time.

The many symptoms that mimic eczema and the many skin conditions with symptoms similar to eczema can make the diagnosis of eczema difficult.

Eczema is used to describe all kinds of red, blistering, oozing, scaly, brownish, thickened, and itching skin conditions. Eczema is associated with dry, rough, red, itchy, skin dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding.

Atopic dermatitis is related to asthma and hay fever-type allergies, and is often seen in early childhood. This type of acne-related condition is characterized by a speedy distribution of reddish irritation that can be prickly, swollen and erupted. The eyelids, neck and hands are most commonly affected in adults.

Perioral Dermatitis is an acne-like inflammation generally consists of small red bumps or even pus bumps and mild peeling as the skin is extremely aggravated. Perioral dermatitis is often aggravated by fluoridated or tartar-control toothpaste, chapstick, the ingredients in lipstick, and mouthwash. It is also believed that topical steroids, residue from asthma inhalers t containing steroids, cinnamon, cosmetics, and even moisturizers contribute to perioral dermatitis.

Light sensitive Eczema that is caused by sunlight is rare. If it happens it is likely to occur on the face, hands and arms. Using high SPF factor sun creams can treat it. Sometimes this eczema can be caused when people are taking medication that reacts to sunlight e.g. antihistamines and arthritis medications. Ingredients in soaps and cosmetics may also cause this.

Milia sometimes referred to as milk spots or oil seeds, are benign, keratin-filled cysts that can appear just under the skin. These little white bumps, or milia, are keratin-filled cysts, or simply little globs of protein under the skin. Milia can be mistaken for stubborn acne whiteheads.To reduce creating milia around the eyes, use eye creams with the least amount of ingredients possible to avoid irritating the delicately thin eye area. Also, gently touch the eyes and avoid rubbing the eyes vigorously so as not to damage the skin

In its classic symptoms rosacea is patchy flushing (redness) and inflammation, particularly on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and around the mouth.

The butterfly rash of lupus can also lead to a mis-diagnosis of eczema. A common symptom of lupus includes a red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the nose and cheeks, which can be mistaken for rosacea.

Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms.

The International Eczema-Psoriasis Foundation

2009-11-13T07:36:00.000-08:00

Our skin is often perceived as the window to who we are. It is only human to judge others by their appearance; therefore we are often identified by our skin condition or imperfections, or even the color of our skin. The largest human organ isn't the liver, the kidneys or the lungs; it's the skin. Our skin is our front line protection against the outside world. The skin guards our internal organs against sunburn, dirt, bacteria, and other dangers. As our body's largest organ, the skin is also the first to react to change. A number of factors can affect the skin.

The mission of the International Eczema-Psoriasis Foundation is to gather in one place information pertinent to eczema and psoriasis and to make the information helpful and easy to read and implement. The information provided has been found on in medical books and the web, and Dermatological Journal articles about the 156 various forms of dermatitis, and the 10 major terms describing eczema, and the six major terms describing psoriasis. Many dermatologist intermix the terms of eczema and psoriasis. We do not provide medical advice as you should always consult your dermatologist to diagnose the symptom that you are experiencing.

Eczema-Ltd: Understanding and Treating Eczema Craquele

2009-11-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

Eczema Craquele is often worse in winter and appears on the legs, arms, and hands. Asteatotic eczema is characterized by dry, cracked, fissured skin and redness. Large dry scales may form on the skin giving a "crazy-paving" appearance to the skin. Asteatotic eczema may be triggered by soap remaining on the skin after a bed bath. Fair-skinned, sensitive or elderly people who bathe a lot in hot showers or tubs are at risk to develop Asteatotic eczema. Using a good moisturizing routine and switching from soap to a cleansing bar for dry sensitive skin such as Neutrogena transparent facial bar for dry skin formula - fragrance free, Dove that has been known for years for use on sensitive skin, Cetaphil moisturizing gentle cleansing bar for dry, sensitive skin can alleviate it. Steroid creams are generally best avoided because the underlying skin is already very thin and delicate.

Molecules in Skin Link Eczema and Asthma

2009-10-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

In a study appearing in the May 19 in the journal PLoS Biology, research as shown below indicates that skin conditions such as acne, eczema, dermatitis and rosacea are in fact triggered as a result of an immune system response. A substance secreted by eczema-damaged skin might trigger asthma in children, U.S. researchers suggest. The theory comes from a study of mice with an eczema-like condition, which suggested that early treatment of eczema and inhibition of the trigger substance might help prevent asthma.

An estimated 50 percent to 70 percent of children with severe eczema (known as atopic dermatitis) develop asthma, compared with about 9 percent of children in the general population. In the United States, about 17 percent of children have eczema, although not all cases are severe.

The progression from eczema to asthma is called the atopic march. "Over the years, the clinical community has struggled to explain atopic march," Raphael Kopan, a professor of developmental biology and dermatology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and an author of the study, said in a news release from the school.

"So, when we found that the skin of mice with an eczema-like condition produced a substance previously implicated in asthma, we decided to investigate further," Kopan said. "We found that the mice also suffered from asthma-like responses to inhaled allergens, implicating the substance, called TSLP, as the link between eczema and asthma."

The researchers found that TSLP (thylmic stromal lymphopoietin) is secreted by damaged skin to alert the body that the skin's protective barrier has failed. TSLP activates an immune response that fights invaders. "We are excited, because we've narrowed down the problem of atopic march to one molecule," Kopan said. "We've shown that skin can act as a signaling organ and drive allergic inflammation in the lung by releasing TSLP. Now, it will be important to address how to prevent defective skin from producing TSLP. If that can be done," she said, "the link between eczema and asthma could be broken."

Over the counter acne treatments are often too strong and strip the skin of its protective barrier layer causing the skin to produce more oil as to repair and replenish the protective barrier destroyed by contact with harsh chemicals often found in acne treatments.

The skin is a protective barrier between our body organs and outside bacteria, pollution and disease. In fact it is a complex system of action and reaction. When TSLP (thylmic stromal lymphopoietin) is secreted by damaged skin to alert the body that the skin's protective barrier has failed, the TSLP activates an immune response that fights invaders. Skin conditions such as rosacea, acne, and eczema partially result from an overly acidic body and skin. The pH (potential of hydrogen) as you remember from your high school general science or chemistry class, ranges from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. As you think of your past rosacea history, you will see that all the rosacea triggers have come from 'acidic triggers' regardless of whether they are foods, drinks, stress, or lack of breath due to not enough oxygen (oxygen is an alkaline) and inability to exhaust enough carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide is acidic). We all know that if we hold our breath for 30 seconds or 60 seconds, we will all notice that our face turns pink or red. We all know, but hardly think that the cause is a build up of carbon dioxide which is an "acidic" gas and we have a shortage of oxygen. Very similarly, when we exercise for too long and become aerobic, we have a build up of lactic acid which is burned muscle and fat tissue (and obviously acidic) which results in more eczema redness.

Introducing Eczema-Ltd

2009-10-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

Eczema-Ltd is dedicated to helping you to find new and novel ways to treat and control your eczema!

Eczema-Ltd, is a patented topical skin conditioner invented by a team of Eczema Researchers with 40 years of collective research led by a Johns Hopkins MD with continuing training at Harvard Medical Center - Beth Israel Deaconess & Massachusetts General, and the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. Now for the first time, there have been discovered new confirmed eczema research facts about Eczema's Cause / Etiology or "Cure".

It is important to treat the specific cause of your eczema, and the aggravating factors in as many ways as possible. One way to treat your eczema is behavioral with positive lifestyle changes such as better eating habits and reducing stress. Another way is by eliminating contact with environmental factors which can aggravate your sensitive skin such as allergens, harsh chemicals, certain metals, and irritating fabrics. A third way is through the use of prescription medications, moisturizers, Jojoba oil, or Eczema-Ltd III topical skin conditioner.

Eczema-Ltd has Medical Patents in 73 countries where eczema sufferers live. Eczema-Ltd has no dangerous side effects.

DEFINING RED, ITCHY IRRITATED SKIN

2009-10-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

Dermatitis is classified as an inflammation of the skin. Dermatitis manifests as a rash, and the symptoms can include swelling, redness, itching, cracking, and pain. Dermatitis is the skin's reaction to chemicals or environmental elements. It causes the skin to become irritated and inflamed, itchy and red, dry and flaky. When certain substances contact the skin and causes an allergic reaction, it is called "contact dermatitis". Examples of substances causing contact dermatitis are: deodorants, metal, chemicals, clothing dyes, cosmetics, detergents, hair coloring, hair perm solutions, leather processing chemicals, nickel in jewelry, perfumes and fragrances, poison ivy, solvents, wrist watches and zippers.

Rosacea is an inflammation of the skin with resulting facial redness and symptoms of vasculation of spidery blood vessels, swelling, and rosacea papules. Rosacea's more pronounced symptoms can vary in intensity when exacerbated. When rosacea is present, small, red, solid bumps called papules and pus-filled pimples called pustules may appear on the skin. These can easily be confused with acne pimples, but unlike acne, rosacea papules and pustules have no blackheads. Rosacea typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 50 and affects more women than men. Because the symptoms emerge slowly, rosacea may initially be mistaken for sunburn, leading to a delay in treatment. The redness can come and go, but eventually it may become permanent. Furthermore, the skin tissue can swell and thicken and may be tender and sensitive to the touch.

Acne is a condition of the sebaceous glands of the skin. These sebaceous glands surround each hair follicle and produce sebum, an oily substance, to lubricate the hair. Acne usually appears on the face, back and chest. Acne occurs primarily on the face and sometimes on the back, shoulders, cheat, and arms. The incidence of acne is greatest during puberty, adolescence, and when hormones influencing the secretion of oil glands are at their peak level of activity such as during stress, emotional problems, menstruation, and exercising. Another cause of acne can be dirt, oil and dead skin, accumulated inside the pores, plugging the pores and preventing the flow of sebum. When bacteria builds up, pimples can form and acne may develop, often as an indication of an internal toxin condition. Other causes or contributing factors include allergies, a poor diet, dehydration, environmental pollution, heredity, sun over exposure, and weaken immunity.

Eczema can occur anywhere on the body. The symptoms of eczema include itching, redness, dry/flaky skin, and even blisters. Usually the first symptom of eczema is intense itching; this itching can be very uncomfortable and individuals may tend to scratch the skin. The itchy feeling is an important symptom in eczema, because scratching and rubbing in response to itching worsen the skin inflammation characteristic of eczema. The dry skin will become redder in color and may even crack due to scratching. Scratching may also lead to infection.. The urge to scratch symptom becomes a repetitive cycle: the more you scratch, the more it itches. Eczema is a common skin disease. Eczema is dry, rough, red, itchy, skin dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. The most common symptom that people complain about is the itch that is a side effect of eczema. It's sometimes called the 'itch that rashes', meaning that once you start scratching, you develop a rash.

Psoriasis sufferers experience symptoms such as itching, cracking, stinging, burning, or bleeding. Lack of sunlight and low indoor humidity in the winter months can cause the psoriasis symptoms to worsen. The skin is most likely to crack at the joints where the body bends, or in areas where the individual scratches. Scratching should be strictly avoided, because it can cause bleeding and infection. Psoriasis has also been known to cause pits or dents to form in fingernails and toenails. There is also the possibility that the soft tissue inside the mouth and genitalia can be affected. In some cases, psoriasis will cause joint inflammation that produces arthritis symptoms. Psoriasis is a non-contagious disorder, which affects the skin. As a result, itchy, scaly red patches appear, often on the elbows, hands, feet, and scalp, but they can show up on other parts of your body. Usually, what happens is new skin cells take about a month or so to move from the deepest skin layer where they're produced, to the surface where they die and flake off. With psoriasis, the entire skin cell life cycle takes only days.

Seborrheic dermatitis causes yellowish scales to develop on the scalp, the chest, ears, face, nose, the hairline and the eyebrows. Seborrhea affects areas of the skin with abundant oil glands - When oil glands secrete abnormal amounts of oil glands secrete abnormal amounts of oil and skin cells grow at twice the normal rate, the skin produces red eruptions with thick crusting and scaliest. The oily, pinkish - yellow scales resemble dandruff and may itch and flake. If one looks closely, the flakes usually have a greasy look, smell and feel. The dryness of seborrheic dermatitis is perceived because of the flaking, which consists of dried layers of accumulated oil. This is often confused with the crusting and scaling on the eyelids that occur with ocular rosacea.

ITCHY PALMS – SIGN OF MONEY OR ECZEMA

2009-09-16T09:39:00.000-07:00

According to an old wives tale, nearly every bodily sensation or skin condition has an explanation. One such tale involves itchy palms. The tale states: if the palm of your right hand is itching, you’ll soon be coming into money. But if you scratch your right hand while it is itchy, it'll prevent the money from coming your way. If your palm of your left hand is itchy, this foretells that you will be paying money to someone, and you should scratch away to do get rid of or lower the payments.

In reality an itchy palm usually has to do with a nervous system or allergic response, and it’s unlikely that is has to do with money one way or the other. An itchy palm is a common symptom of dyshidrotic eczema which incudes itching of the hands and feet, resulting in a sudden onset of blisters. Symptoms of this rash include burning pain or itching may be experienced before blisters appear. The cause of dyshidrotic eczema may be sensitivity to nickel or other metals such as chromium or cobalt, also fragrances, fungal infection (tinea pedis), stress, aspirin, oral contraceptives, smoking, and implanted metals. Dyshidrotic eczema is a form of hand eczema, which is more common in women and starts on the sides of the fingers as itchy little bumps and then develops into a rash. It takes a long time for skin to recover, and unless you're careful, the eczema will reoccur. The symptoms of hand eczema include red, itchy, scaly, cracked skin with blisters up to one inch in diameter, usually on the palms of the hands. Dentists are prone to hand eczema. The cause of hand eczema is usually a combination of sensitive skin and irritation or an allergic reaction from materials touched. Prevention and avoidance can be a powerful treatment. The following suggestions will be helpful for anyone with symptoms of hand eczema: wear waterproof or cotton-lined gloves, avoid contact with soaps, detergents, scouring powders, and irritating chemicals. Wear waterproof gloves when peeling or squeezing lemons, oranges, or grapefruit, peeling potatoes, or handling tomatoes. Wear heavy-duty gloves while gardening, wash dishes in a dishwasher, do not wash clothes by hand, avoid contact with turpentine, paint, and paint thinner, floor polish, and shoe polish. Wash hands in warm water and a small amount of mild soap, rinse carefully and dry gently. Wearing rings can cause hand eczema to become worse.

Should you refrain from scratching your right hand or even your left hand when it itches? The answer is yes. Eczema occurs as a result of an immune system response to an irritant either through contact, inhalation or ingestion. The body activates an immune system response often resulting in a flushed appearance, a rash, or welts on the skin. The symptoms of eczema include itching, redness, dry/flaky skin, and even blisters. Usually the first symptom of eczema is intense itching; this itching can be very uncomfortable and individuals may tend to scratch the skin. The itchy feeling is an important symptom in eczema, because scratching and rubbing in response to itching worsen the skin inflammation characteristic of eczema. Scratching makes the eczema symptoms worse. The dry skin will become redder in color and may even crack due to scratching. Scratching may also lead to infection. The urge to scratch symptom becomes a repetitive cycle: the more you scratch, the more it itches.

As unusual as these old wives tales may sound, there are people who believe in them, and these theories are still being spread today from generation to generation. Just as outdated treatments for an itchy palm continue to be considered the standard if treatment. Among the many outdated treatments are Coal tar which has been used to treat the itching and inflammation caused by skin conditions for hundreds of years. The tar contains chemicals that soothe the skin. Crude coal tar is a byproduct of oil production. It makes the skin more sensitive to light. In its natural state it is a thick, brownish-black substance that is messy to apply to the skin. Refined coal tar preparations, many of which are available over the counter, may be more cosmetically acceptable. Coal tar has been used for many years to treat psoriasis and it has few side effects. However, it does not work for everyone. In addition to being messy to use, it has a strong odor and can stain skin and clothing. It can cause sun sensitivity, and may irritate acute eczema. The smell may be offensive to some people.

A few years ago, primrose oil was touted as a topical therapy for hand eczema, but it later was shown not to work. In November 1998, an American Medical Association journal, Archives of Dermatology, published a report listing several other plant extracts being used for skin conditions similar to eczema: calendula officinalis (marigold); chamomile; witch hazel; licorice root; and aloe vera gel. Unfortunately, a history of use doesn't necessarily translate to a history of effectiveness. Indeed, some of these substances, or their vehicle gel/lotion, may worsen your condition.

Living With Nummular Eczema

2009-07-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

Nummular eczema is a ringworm-like rash of circular, itchy, scaling patches, widespread on the arms and legs but may also be found on the trunk and buttocks. The word "nummular" comes from the Latin nummus, meaning coin, and is characterized by round plaques of eczema. The cause of nummular eczema is not known, although minor skin injury such as an insect bite or a burn may be reported prior to the onset of the condition.

Nummular eczema also called Discoid eczema, or gravitational eczema is usually found in adults and appears suddenly. It can be complicated by a bacterial infection, which results in these areas becoming itchy with possible weeping fluid and crusting. Nummular eczema may be considered as an adult form of atopic eczema and is treated with emollients.

Eruptions of nummular eczema are often recurrent and chronic and usually appear in people who are in their 60s but can occur at any age. Nummular eczema is most common in older people with very dry skin. The skin’s main function is to provide a barrier against dirt, germs and chemicals from the outside. We don’t notice this barrier unless it gets dry, and then it’s scaly, rough and tight. Dry skin is brittle. Moist skin is soft and flexible. People with Nummular dermatitis have a defect in their skin and it won’t stay moist. It is especially bad in winter when the heat is on in the house and the humidity is lower.

Other factors that can aggravate this condition include:

1) Hot weather- Heat and sweating. Most people with nummular eczema notice that when they get hot, they itch. They have a type of prickly heat that doesn’t occur just in humid summertime but any time they sweat. It can happen from exercise, from too many warm bedclothes or rapid changes in temperature from cold to warm.

2) Stress - Emotional stress comes from many situations. People with Nummular dermatitis often react to stress by having red flushing and itching.

3) Fabric softeners - fabric softener is the most toxic product produced for daily household use. Fabric softeners have been found to be associated with numerous illnesses and chronic conditions. The effects of its toxicity are insidious; a user becomes "chronically maladapted" to it. The exposure is so constant that it can be difficult to connect the product with the signs of reactivity it causes. The toxins used in fabric softeners are known to produce an addictive-type response. Regular users of fabric softeners (and perfumes) also often claim they "can hardly smell it". This is a direct effect of chemical ingredients on neural receptors. Listed here are the toxic ingredients and it’s effect on the skin; Alpha-Terpineol causes edema or redness of the skin. Limonene is a skin and eye irritant, sensitizer, and carcinogenic. Always wash hands thoroughly after contact, especially before eating, drinking, applying cosmetics. Do not inhale. Prevent contact with skin or eyes. Contact with Pentane can cause eye or skin irritation."

4) Allergies - Allergens are materials such as pollen, pet dander, foods, or dust that cause allergic responses. Allergic diseases such as asthma and hay fever, which flare quickly, are easy to tie to allergens. Itching and hives appear soon after exposure to these airborne allergens and last only briefly. Allergens are more subtle trigger factors. An allergen does not irritate, but may trigger a flare-up in those who have become allergic to it from prior exposure. Allergens are usually animal or vegetable proteins from foods, pollens, or pets. When exposed to an irritant or allergen to which they are sensitive, inflammation-producing cells come into the skin. There, they release chemicals that cause itching and redness. Further damage occurs when the person scratches and rubs the affected area. Food allergies can cause flare-ups. Since an allergic reaction to food (either by skin contact during food preparation or by eating the food) can trigger a flare-up, it is important to identify the trigger foods.

5) Soaps and detergents- Many laundry soaps contain chemical additives which are the actual irritants (e.g., sodium silicate, sodium phosphate, sodium carbonate). Hand cleaner soaps contain small harsh particles to assist in grease removal, such as pumice, talc, borax, corn meal or wood flour. These are sometimes irritating. Some yellow laundry soaps contain "rosin" to make the bar more soluble, which is also a sensitizer.

6) Wool clothing – Natural fiber clothing, made from wool or mohair, been shown to be sensitizers. Dermatitis may occur more frequently from the use of dark clothing. Heavy perspiration causes more bleeding of the dye (e.g., widow's dermatitis). Fabric finishes which are used to increase durability, to soften of stiffen a fabric, or to impart waterproofing, crease resistance or other properties to the fabric. Stoddard solvent or other dry-cleaning solutions will occasionally produce a clothing-oriented dermatitis, as will moth crystals. Airing the clothes for a few days before wearing them will usually prevent this.

7) Bathing more than once a day - Take short baths or showers with warm water. Hot water can make you itch more. Ask your doctor about the use of oatmeal soaking products in your bath to help control the itching. After bathing, don't rub your skin dry with a rough towel. That just irritates your skin more. Gently pat it dry to get the water off. Then put on some jojoba oil to help keep your skin from getting too dry. You can spread the jojoba oil on several times a day.

Eczema Craquelé or Winter Itch

2009-04-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

First described by Brocq in 1907, with the term eczema craquelé, asteatotic eczema or what your Grandma called Winter Itch is characterized by pruritic, dry, cracked, and polygonally fissured skin with irregular scaling. It most commonly occurs on the shins of elderly patients, but it may occur on the hands and the trunk. In 1971, Domonkos described the appearance of this form of eczema as cracked porcelain. The pattern of cracking has been likened to a crazy pavement pattern. In 1999, Fitzpatrick likened asteatotic eczema to a dried-up riverbed. According to Caplan, superficial bleeding and fissures can occur as the epidermis loses water, as it splits, and as it cracks deeply enough to disrupt papillary dermal capillaries. The inflammation can be associated with asymmetric leg edema. Eczema with increased lichenification occasionally supervenes as patients rub and scratch the pruritic areas.

It is usually caused by bathing too often in hot soapy water or showers or in houses with low humidity and high temperature. Eczema craquele generally occurs in older people who have thinner and dryer skin. Large dry scales may form on the skin giving a "crazy-paving" appearance to the skin. It is extremely common in communities of elderly people and may be triggered by soap remaining on the skin after a bed bath. Using a good moisturizing routine and switching from soap to a cleansing bar for dry sensitive skin (such as Cetaphil "moisturizing gentle cleansing bar") can alleviate it. Steroid creams are generally best avoided because the underlying skin is already very thin and delicate.

Fair-skinned, sensitive or elderly people who bathe a lot in hot showers or tubs can develop an eczema craquele. Remembering that the skin's pH is acidic, around 5.0, and all water is slightly alkaline, especially if there are many calcium and magnesium salts in it, it is easy to see how this happens. Cessation of bathing and showering for a while may be necessary to clear the skin of these unfortunate patients. An alkaline skin is increasingly susceptible to the irritant effects of water alone, and the hyper-irritability of the skin can be prolonged; it takes 3 months for a fracture to heal, similarly with the skin. The skin must be put at rest and allowed lubrication for that length of time before it recovers.

Initially, excess water loss from the epidermis results in dehydration of the stratum corneum with upward curling of corneocytes. The outer keratin layers require 10-20% water concentration to maintain their integrity. A significant decrease in free fatty acids in the stratum corneum is present in people with asteatotic dermatitis. Stratum corneum lipids act as water modulators, and cutaneous loss of these lipids can increase transepidermal water loss to 75 times that of healthy skin. Elderly persons with decreased sebaceous and sweat gland activity, patients on antiandrogen therapy, people using degreasing agents, and people bathing without replacing natural skin emollients lost to bath water are at risk for asteatotic eczema. When the stratum corneum loses water, the cells shrink. A significantly decreased cellular volume can stress the skin's elasticity, creating fissures. Edema in the dermis leads to additional stretch on the overlying epidermis. Fissures rupture dermal capillaries, causing clinical bleeding. The disruption of cutaneous integrity can result in inflammation with risk of infection. Transepidermal absorption of allergens and irritants is increased as the epidermis is damaged, increasing susceptibility to allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis may cause a persistent and possibly more extensive dermatitis despite therapy. Furthermore, low environmental humidity contributes to xerosis, creating a clinical picture of asteatotic dermatitis in some dermatologic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis.

The frequency of eczema craquele is increased in the northern United States, particularly during the winter season. Although most cases resolve without ill effects, can be chronic with relapses frequent during the winter months and during times of low humidity.

Facial Eczema

2009-04-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

In the treatment of eczema, one sometimes sees a rosacea-like eruption around the mouth area. Known as peri-oral dermatitis, peri-oral refers to the facial area around the mouth while dermatitis pertains to inflammation, redness or irritation of the skin. In addition, there are usually small red bumps or even pus bumps and mild peeling as the skin is extremely aggravated. This condition may be wrongfully thought of as acne while others believe it to be a manifestation of their rosacea. Peri-oral dermatitis is often aggravated by fluoridated or tartar-control toothpaste, chapstick, the ingredients in lipstick, and mouthwash. Peri-oral dermatitis is a common skin problem that mostly affects young women, however, occasionally men and children are affected by it.

Contact Eczema

2009-03-31T10:23:00.000-07:00

Contact eczema is an inflammatory response by the skin to an outside allergen or irritant. Again this type of eczema rash is caused by an allergic reaction through contact with an irritant. Substances that cause contact eczema include household items, clothing, cosmetics, and plants.

The types of substance that cause the symptoms to appear can further define contact eczema. A substance that has a direct toxic effect or exposure to an irritant produces irritant contact eczema and a skin reaction can occur immediately or gradually after repeat exposure. Examples of substances that cause irritant contact eczema include acids, certain toilet bowl cleaners or drain cleaners, oven cleaners, detergents, ammonia, lye, cement, turpentine, and paint thinners.

Allergic contact eczema will trigger an immunologic response that causes inflammation called a skin allergy. Examples of substances that cause allergic contact eczema include poison ivy, poison sumac, poison oak, dyes, fragrances, leather, rubber compounds (gloves and shoes) and nickel (jewelry accessories). Itching and burning are common symptoms in both types of contact dermatitis. Typically the symptoms of contact dermatitis include redness, swelling and oozing. If left untreated, contact dermatitis can result in dry, thickened, cracked skin. The webs of the fingers, back of the hands and forearms are common sites of contact. Local contact with an allergen followed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) can cause photo allergic eczema rash.

Understanding Eczema and Psoriasis

2008-12-11T09:13:00.000-08:00

When doing a for ‘eczema’ or ‘psoriasis’, then you find thousands of links to different articles scattered across the web. But how do you narrow it down to just one website to help eliminate the confusion? You can visit the International Eczema Psoriasis Foundation for their help in identifying the particular skin disorder from which you may be suffering. It provides handy information on everything from dermatitis to treatments for the different skin diseases that afflict people each and every day.

The site for The International Eczema Psoriasis Foundation can be located at http://www.internationaleczema-psoriasisfoundation.org/. If you look to the left hand side of the screen, then you will see links for: dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, treatments and summary. Each link details different aspects of the different skin disorders commonly found. You will also have the opportunity to view pictures of each skin disorder and how it looks to the naked eye. It is incredibly easy to navigate and you should have no trouble finding the right information.

What is the reason for the pictures? It is to show that there are indeed differences between the varying skin conditions that afflict millions of people around the world. Dermatitis is not the same thing as psoriasis and it is important to note these differences. Yes, some of the symptoms and the appearance can mimic each other but there are distinct treatment options, such as for mild or severe psoriasis. The “treatments” link gives a long list of the different types of treatments that are available. There are some treatments that are universal to treat the symptoms of a skin disorder. If the time is taken to read about the different forms of treatment, then you can discuss the treatment options with your dermatologist

What Is Eczema?

2008-11-25T07:39:00.000-08:00

The term 'eczema' covers a wide range of skin problems, which trouble people at different stages in their lives. It occurs in many different ways, such as in an elderly person with dry red skin around the ankles, a child with weeping red areas on the wrists, or someone whose eyelids have become itchy, red, dry and puffy in reaction to make-up.

Itching occurs with nearly all forms of eczema, varying from mild irritation to a hopelessly distracting and distressing symptom that makes life miserable for the sufferer and others involved.

Redness is usually present in eczema and this redness can fluctuate, appearing bright red at some times of the day while at others it is barely noticeable. The redness is usually most obvious when you are hot or have exercised, or after a hot bath.

Eczema is usually dry, making your skin feel rough, scaly and sometimes thickened. Dryness reduces the protective quality of the skin, making it less effective at protecting against heat, cold, fluid loss and bacterial infection.

In severe eczema, or after a prolonged period of scratching, the skin's protective character can be reduced further and the skin becomes wet with colorless fluid that has oozed from the tissues, sometimes mixed with blood leaking from damaged capillaries (small blood vessels). Wetness usually occurs when eczema is at its most itchy and is very likely to become infected.

Some wetness may come from small vesicles (pin-head blisters), which burst when scratched. These are most commonly found on the hands and feet, along the edges of the digits or on the palms or soles.

To understand eczema, we must begin with an understanding of the composition of the skin itself. The skin is comprised of three layers: epidermis, dermis and fat.

The outer layer of the skin is the epidermis, which contains sheets of epithelial cells called keratinocytes. These keratinocytes are produced at the junction between the epidermis and the second layer of skin, the dermis. The epidermis is supported from below by the dermis.

The epidermis contains many layers of closely packed cells. The cells nearest the skin’s surface are flat and filled with a tough substance called keratin. The epidermis contains no blood vessels – these are all in the dermis and deeper layers. The epidermis is thick in some parts (one millimeter on the palms and soles) and thin in others (just 0.1 millimeter over the eyelids).

Dead cells are shed from the surface of the epidermis as very fine scale, and are replaced by other cells, which pass from the deepest (basal) layers to the surface layers over a period of about four weeks. The dead cells on the surface take the form of flattened, overlapping plates, closely packed together. This layer is known as the stratum corneum and is remarkably flexible, more or less waterproof and has a dry surface so that it is inhospitable to microorganisms.

The second layer of the skin or dermis is made up of connective tissue, which contains a mixture of cells that give strength and elasticity to the skin. This layer also contains blood vessels, hair follicles and roots, nerve endings, and sweat and lymph vessels and glands. The elements of the dermis all carry messages or fluids to and from the epidermis so it can grow, respond to the outside world and react to what goes on inside the body.

Underneath the dermis is a layer of fat, which acts as an important source of energy and water for the dermis. It also provides protection against physical injury and the cold.

In eczema, the main problems occur in the epidermis where the keratinocytes become less tightly held together. As a result, they become vulnerable to external factors such as soap, water and more aggressive solvents such as washing up liquid, or solvents used as part of work or hobbies. These solvents dissolve some of the grease and protein that contribute to the natural barrier of the skin. Once this process has begun, the skin may become inflamed as a reaction to minor irritation such as rubbing or scratching. This, in turn, makes the eczema worse and a cycle of irritation, inflammation and deterioration of eczema becomes established.

As part of this cycle, the skin becomes less effective as a barrier. It is less effective at preventing damage from solvents and abrasive materials acting from the outside, and it is also more likely to lose body moisture from within. In a small patch of eczema, this can mean just a few vesicles (very small bubbles in the skin) bursting and leaking water. As the eczema gets worse, the fluid may come from the dermis and include blood from broken capillaries. When severe eczema covers a large percentage of the body surface, it is possible to lose substantial amounts of body fluid, blood and protein through the skin. In addition to these materials, the body can lose heat from the skin, which can become important in people who are physically infirm.

The barrier function of the skin is reduced further when scratching occurs and breaks are gouged in the skin by fingernails. As with solvents, this fuels the eczema and is termed the 'itch–scratch cycle'. When skin becomes broken and there is a mix of blood, fluid and protein on the surface, there is a high chance of infection. This infection is usually bacterial and will add to the symptoms and severity of the eczema.

The epidermis is where the environment collides with the body's immune system. Usually the immune system reacts only to parts of the outside world that present a danger, such as insect bites. In many people with eczema, however, the immune system reacts more vigorously than usual to a wider range of normally harmless influences such as animal dander (small particles of hair or feathers), pollen and house-dust mite. As these trigger allergic reactions, these substances are known as allergens. The immune system tries to destroy allergens by releasing a mixture of its own irritant substances, such as histamine, into the skin. The result is that the allergen may be altered or removed, but at the expense of causing soreness and making the skin fragile so other problems can develop, such as bacterial infection or damage from scratching.

Eczema-Ltd For The Treatment of Eczema

2008-11-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

Eczema-Ltd provides new and revolutionary ideas to improve and control eczema.

Eczema is a common skin disease. Eczema is dry, rough, red, itchy, skin dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. The most common symptom that people complain about is the itch that is a side effect of eczema. It's sometimes called the 'itch that rashes', meaning that once you start scratching, you develop a rash.

Although there is no cure for eczema, it is important to treat the specific cause of your eczema and the aggravating factors in as many ways as possible. One way to treat your eczema is behavioral with positive lifestyle changes such as better eating habits and reducing stress. Another way is by eliminating contact with environmental factors which can aggravate your sensitive skin such as allergens, harsh chemicals, certain metals, and irritating fabrics. A third way is through the use of prescription medications, moisturizers, Jojoba oil, or Eczema-Ltd III topical skin conditioner.

While you try to treat the symptoms of eczema that are most visible and distressing, you should also try to treat the cause! Click on a type of eczema in the list below to find more information including many treatment options for finding relief from its symptoms.

Eczema-Ltd, is a patented topical skin conditioner, invented by a team of Eczema Researchers with 40 years of collective research led by a Johns Hopkins MD with continuing training at Harvard Medical Center - Beth Israel Deaconess & Massachusetts General, and the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. Now for the first time, there have been discovered new confirmed eczema research facts about Eczema's Cause / Etiology or "Cure". Eczema-Ltd has Medical Patents in 73 countries where eczema sufferers live. Eczema-Ltd has no dangerous side effects.

Understanding Atopic Eczema

2008-10-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

The word 'atopic' describes people with certain 'allergic' tendencies. However, atopic eczema is not just a simple allergic condition. People with atopic eczema have an increased chance of developing other 'atopic' conditions such as asthma and hay fever.

Atopic eczema, the most common form of eczema, affects an estimated 15 million people (Dermatology Times, October 1998). It manifests itself as an inflammation of the skin, which tends to flare-up from time to time, usually starting in early childhood. Typical skin symptoms include dryness, thickening, excoriation, and even scarring (Hall 79).There is no 'cure', but treatment will usually control or ease symptoms. The predisposition for atopic eczema is an inherited condition that is usually triggered by an allergic reaction. This chronic condition is not contagious and often begins in infancy as a rash on the scalp, face, or upper extremities of the baby. Atopic eczema is most commonly located in areas where the body bends or experiences contact thus creating friction that can cause eczema.

Atopic eczema affects each person differently, both in terms of onset and severity of symptoms. In infants, atopic eczema typically begins around 6 to 12 weeks of age. It may first appear around the cheeks and chin as a patchy facial rash, sometimes progressing to red, scaling, oozing skin, which can become infected. Once the infant becomes more mobile and begins crawling, exposed areas such as the knees and elbows may also be affected. An infant with atopic eczema may be restless and irritable because of the itching and discomfort. Many infants improve by 18 months of age, although they remain at greater than normal risk for dry skin or hand eczema later in life.

In childhood, the rash tends to occur behind the knees and inside the elbows, on the sides of the neck, and on the wrists, ankles, and hands. Often, the rash begins with papules that become hard and scaly when scratched. The skin around the lips may be inflamed, and constant licking of the area may lead to small, painful cracks. Severe cases of atopic eczema may affect growth, and the child may be shorter than average.

Atopic eczema most often affects infants and young children, but it can continue into adulthood or first show up later in life. In most cases, there are periods of time when the disease is worse, called exacerbations or flares, which are followed by periods when the skin improves or clears up entirely, called remissions. Many children with atopic eczema enter into a permanent remission of the disease when they get older, although their skin often remains dry and easily irritated. Environmental factors can activate symptoms of atopic eczema at any time in the lives of individuals who have inherited this disease trait.

The disease may go into remission. The length of a remission varies, and it may last months or even years. In some children, the disease gets better for a long time only to come back at the onset of puberty when hormones, stress, and the use of irritating skin care products or cosmetics may cause the condition to flare.

Although a number of people who developed atopic dermatitis as children also experience symptoms as adults, it is unusual (but possible) for the disease to show up first in adulthood. The pattern in adults is similar to that seen in children; that is, the disease may be widespread or limited. In some adults, only the hands or feet may be affected and become dry, itchy, red, and cracked. Sleep patterns and work performance may be affected, and long-term use of medications to treat the condition may cause complications. Adults with atopic dermatitis also have a predisposition toward irritant contact dermatitis, especially if they are in occupations involving frequent hand wetting, hand washing, or exposure to chemicals. Some people develop a rash around their nipples. These localized symptoms are difficult to treat, and people often do not tell their doctor because of modesty or embarrassment. Adults may also develop cataracts that are difficult to detect because they cause no symptoms. Therefore, the doctor may recommend regular eye exams.

Atopic eczema affects males and females equally and accounts for 10 to 20% of all referrals to dermatologists. It is estimated that 65 percent of patients develop symptoms in the first year of life, and 90 percent develop symptoms before the age of 5. Onset after age 30 is less common and often occurs after exposure of the skin to harsh conditions. People who live in urban areas and in climates with low humidity seem to be at an increased risk for developing atopic dermatitis.

About 10% of all infants and young children experience symptoms of the disease. Roughly 60 percent of these infants continue to have one or more symptoms of atopic dermatitis even after they reach adulthood. This means that more than 15 million people in the United States have symptoms of the disease.

It is estimated that one in three people are affected by atopic eczema. However, the development of atopic eczema in a person who has a predisposition to it is likely to be greatly influenced by the environment.

Treating Eczema

2008-10-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

Although there is no cure for eczema, it is important to treat the specific cause of your eczema and the aggravating factors in as many ways as possible. One way to treat your eczema is behavioral with positive lifestyle changes such as better eating habits and reducing stress. Another way is by eliminating contact with environmental factors which can aggravate your sensitive skin such as allergens, harsh chemicals, certain metals, and irritating fabrics. A third way is through the use of prescription medications, moisturizers, Jojoba oil, or Eczema-Ltd III topical skin conditioner.

Treating Eczema And Psoriasis

2007-02-14T07:59:00.000-08:00

Although eczema and psoriasis are different conditions, they have many symptoms in common and are therefore sometimes difficult to diagnose. Psoriasis is considered an immune-system disorder, while eczema is most often caused by contact with an irritating substance or something to which one is allergic. However, both can involve rashes, redness, lesions, whitish patches and itchy, dry skin that flakes at a moment’s notice. Doctors often prescribe the same treatment for both ailments and many doctors are now recommending Dermatitis-Ltd as both eczema and psoriasis treatment.
Prior to the breakthrough of Dermatitis-Ltd, some of the most common treatments prescribed were unsafe.
* Coal tar reduces inflammation and itching but it doesn’t work for everyone and has several drawbacks that make it very uninviting: it has a very strong, unpleasant odor, is messy to use and stains skin and clothing. It is also quite toxic.
* Topical steroids are the most commonly prescribed eczema and psoriasis treatment, but have many detrimental side effects. Thinning of the skin, the appearance of tiny blood vessels and stretch marks are common but these are not the most dangerous. Internal side effects can result in very serious diseases. Also, they tend to become less effective at relieving symptoms with continued use and often cause the same conditions you’re trying to treat.
* Antibiotics are also frequently recommended in severe conditions as both eczema and psoriasis can lead to infection. However, antibiotics destroy the good bacteria with the bad thereby damaging the immune system at a time when you need it most.The safest eczema and psoriasis treatments on the market are those that boost your body’s defenses and protect it from the substances causing the condition. Eating a good, balanced diet free of chemicals and preservatives, supplementing with flax seed oil or oil of evening primrose to boost essential fatty acids goes a long way.

Living With Eczema

2007-01-24T11:27:00.000-08:00

In the U.K., the incidence of eczema has risen at a remarkable rate: since the 1960’s the number of children with eczema has risen from 4 percent to 24 percent of the population. Some experts attribute this to changes in our environment and lifestyle and suggest that educating the general public about these changes and how to cope with them will improve the statistics.
One of the major recommendations is a change in skin care products, which includes a dry skin conditioner such as jojoba oil and eczema treatment that allows the condition to heal instead of exposing children to powerful and dangerous steroid drugs.
Dr. Michael Cork, a skin care expert at the University of Sheffield and head of the Specialist Atopic Eczema Unit at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital, was featured in a recent documentary regarding the great strides the unit is making in treating and preventing the condition.
According to Dr. Cork, changes in our environment and lifestyle in the last 50 years are largely to blame for the vast increase in eczema. Examples include more households with wall-to-wall carpeting and central heating – both of which harbor dust mites - and washing ourselves more frequently with increasingly harsh soaps and detergents that damage the protective surface layer of the skin and allow chemicals and allergens to penetrate.
Fortunately, remedying these problems is fairly easy and is definitely recommended as the first step in effective eczema treatment. Vacuuming and dusting frequently and washing bed linens in hot water to kill dust mites will help handle the environment. Preserving the integrity of the skin’s protective layer can be done by switching to very mild natural soaps and detergents that don’t cause dry skin and eczema.

Eczema Treatment With Antihistamines May Lead To Other Problems

2007-01-12T08:26:00.000-08:00

Antihistamines are commonly used to treat eczema – the rationale being that eczema is sometimes the result of the body’s overproduction or release of histamine as a natural response to allergens. However, antihistamines interfere with the vital role of histamine in the body and also cause side effects that may be worse than the skin condition you’re trying to treat. Your best bet is to try an effective, topical eczema treatment that will not alter natural function and will not exacerbate the condition, and to find out the consequences of antihistamines before you choose them as an option.

Histamine is present in almost every cell of the body. Its highest concentrations are in the lungs, skin and gastrointestinal tract. It performs a number of basic functions including the secretion of stomach acids during digestion and regulation of sexual response. It is also a neurotransmitter – a chemical that enables messages to travel from one nerve cell to another.

Histamine’s function in the immune system is to increase the blood supply to an area of injury or invasion by a foreign substance so that the body may heal or combat damage with the nutrients and other healing elements in the blood. This action often causes redness, swelling, itchiness, rashes and hives – which is why antihistamines are often prescribed as eczema treatment.However, antihistamines are not always safe. Doctors advise that you check with them before taking antihistamines if you have asthma or chronic bronchitis, high blood pressure, glaucoma, problems with your liver, kidney, prostrate or stomach, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have any other chronic illness or are on any medications including herbal supplements - not exactly an eczema treatment you can just whip out of the medicine cabinet at a moment’s notice.

Additionally, taking antihistamines can cause histamine deficiency, the symptoms of which include mouth ulcers, headaches, excessive growth of body hair, ringing in the ears and visual and aural abnormalities. Histamine deficiency is also associated with a number of mental and emotional conditions: studies have found that about half the people diagnosed with schizophrenia have low blood histamine levels. In fact, their condition improved when histamine levels were increased.

If your eczema is accompanied by life-threatening symptoms such as difficulty breathing, you should check with your doctor regarding taking antihistamines. However, if you are simply trying to handle itchy, dry skin, or eczema, use a topical eczema treatment that will not cause further problems.

Eczema Symptoms

2007-01-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

The symptoms of eczema include itching, redness, dry/flaky skin, and even blisters (www.medinfo.co.uk). Usually the first symptom of eczema is intense itching; this itching can be very uncomfortable and individuals may tend to scratch the skin. The itchy feeling is an important symptom in eczema, because scratching and rubbing in response to itching worsen the skin inflammation characteristic of eczema. Scratching should be avoided because it can only make the eczema symptoms worse. The dry skin will become redder in color and may even crack due to scratching. Scratching may also lead to infection. It is a good idea, therefore, to keep fingernails cut short and to keep the hands occupied during the day in order to control the urge to scratch. The urge to scratch symptom becomes a repetitive cycle: the more you scratch, the more it itches.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

2006-12-11T11:24:00.000-08:00

Dyshidrotic eczema appears as intensely itchy blisters on the hands, fingers and soles of the feet. When it affects the hands it’s called cheiropompholyx and pedopompholyx when it affects the feet. It is also known as pompholyx, keratolysis exfoliativa, or vesicular eczema of the hands and/or feet. The cause of this pattern of eczema is not fully understood but in some cases there is a history of allergic contact dermatitis especially to nickel. Very often no specific allergen is found despite extensive patch testing. This form of eczema is aggravated by stress.

Stress Does Affect Eczema

2006-12-11T11:17:00.000-08:00

Scientists have long sought to learn whether and how stress can lead to skin problems. A new study in mice shows that a stress-triggered hormone could worsen or even cause skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema.
The scientists found that blocking the hormone called glucocorticoid—which increases in stressful times—resulted in better skin.
Understanding how glucocorticoids work could help scientists come up with ways to prevent human skin problems triggered by psychological stress, said lead researcher Kenneth Feingold of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco and the University of California at San Francisco.
"Here you have things going on in your mind that affect what's going on in your skin," Feingold told LiveScience.Scratching the Surface
Eczema, also called dermatitis, is an inflammation of the skin with many causes and forms. It causes swollen, reddened and itchy skin.
Psoriasis in its most common form involves raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale. It affects between 5.8 and 7.5 million Americans. Up to 30 percent of cases lead to psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints.
The outermost layer of your skin, the epidermis, is composed of dead skin cells, which form a permeability barrier to prevent water loss. Every day tens of thousands of these dead cells slough off as tiny flakes. Typically, cells at the bottom of the epidermis grow, move to the surface and differentiate into skin cells to replace the lost flakes.
Previous research showed that psychological stress decreases cell growth and inhibits differentiation into skin cells.
In the new study, scientists subjected hairless mice to stress while either blocking the production of glucocorticoids or blocking the action of the hormone. Some mice weren't treated at all. The stress was created by placing the mice in small cages in constant light with a radio playing for 48 hours.
The two groups of mice treated with a type of glucocorticoid-blocker showed much better skin function compared with untreated and stressed mice.
While the researchers hope the study will lead to a way to treat people who suffer these skin conditions, there is still a long way to go. Besides needing to test the effect in people, blocking glucocorticoids could have negative side effects that are worse than exacerbations of skin disorders.
The research is detailed in the December issue of the American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.

Preventing An Eczema Breakout

2006-11-08T09:32:00.000-08:00

Eczema is characterized by patches of red, irritated and itchy skin.
An outbreak can be triggered by weather, stress or use of certain products, including detergents.
Here are suggested ways to prevent an outbreak, courtesy of the Princeton University Health Services:
Apply lotion immediately after getting out of the shower to keep your skin well-moisturized.
Don't take very long baths or showers, and avoid using very hot water that can dry skin.
Don't use harsh soaps or detergents that can irritate the skin.
Try to avoid becoming overheated or very sweaty.
Try to avoid becoming stressed.
Keep skin well covered during winter.
Try not to wear itchy fabrics made of wool or some synthetic fibers.
Other tips to control eczema can be found at:
http://www.dermatitis-ltd.com/abouteczema.php3

FDA Approves Steroid Foam For Atopic Dermatitis

2006-11-02T11:36:00.000-08:00

The FDA has approved a new treatment for atopic dermatitis. Desonide (Verdeso Foam 0.05%), a low-potency topical corticosteroid from Connetics, was approved for the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis.As the first product approved using the company’s propriety emulsion foam (VersaFoam-EF), Verdeso is also the first product approved for Connetics that’s indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients. Approval was based on data from a double-blind, randomized study of 581 patients aged 3 months to 17 years old. In the study, success was defined as an improvement in the five-point Investigator’s Static Global Assessment (ISGA) of two grades from baseline to week 4. Study data indicate that 39% (152) of the 387 patients who underwent treatment with Verdeso achieved success with this therapy as compared to only 9% (18) of the 194 patients who received the foam vehicle. Previously known as Desilux, Verdeso will be marketed to physicians in the fourth quarter of this year. The therapy will be available in 50-g and 100-g trade unit sizes.

A General View Of Eczema

2006-10-31T10:27:00.000-08:00

Eczema is characterized by a rash, dryness of skin, itching, and redness of skin. The symptoms of eczema occur due to the overproduction of damaging inflammatory skin cells and continue to worsen as a result of certain factors in the environment.
The cause of eczema can be traced to environmental factors. Foods, shampoos, soaps, laundry detergents, synthetic fabrics, stress, and temperature changes are capable of irritating already existing eczema and may even be the cause of a new eczema condition.
Although eczema is a chronic skin condition, there are various forms of treatment and interventions available to help control eczema.
Eczema is a hereditary condition and thus is not contagious to others.
A general picture of eczema can encompass different stages. Some people may have only a small patch of affected skin while others may have larger patches all over the body. An individual may experience one mild eczema outbreak while others experience chronic severe incidences of eczema. In some cases after an eczema outbreak the skin remains more reactive than it was prior to the outbreak. The eczema-affected skin is very sensitive and the individual must be aware of the trigger factors and try to avoid them.

New Research Into The Causes Of Eczema

2006-10-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

Scientists have long believed that eczema is an allergic reaction. However, new research has found that most eczema cases are the result of an entirely different phenomenon -- a defective skin barrier that predisposes eczema sufferers to damage from environmental irritants. These findings revolutionize scientists' understanding of eczema and open the door to more effective eczema treatment.
The new study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, revealed surprising findings - the raised allergic antibodies that would support the immune reaction theory were not present in two-thirds of the cases studied. Instead, they found evidence that the protective surface layer of the skin was compromised. Scientists now believe that this problem is the true source of many eczema conditions and that treatment must take an abrupt turn away from the immune system focus towards preserving the integrity of the skin's protective layer.
Scientists suspect that the breakdown is due to a combination of factors - a genetic predisposition to thin skin which is then easily damaged by moisture loss and irritation caused by overheating, cold weather, dry winds and exposure to chemical irritants like soap or detergents. One thing is certain, while thin skin is more susceptible to developing eczema, exposure to irritants is often the key precipitating element for flares.
According to Dr. Peter Helton, cosmetic dermatologist and medical director of the Helton Skin and Laser Institute in Newport Beach, California, "In order for the skin to heal and return to its healthy condition you have to seal in the moisture and oils that are below the outer layer of skin and protect it from the irritants in the environment."

Treatment Tips For Eczema

2006-10-11T11:14:00.000-07:00

Treatment tips for eczema are like opinions; there are many of them. One obvious tip is to stay away from substances that cause reactions. Keep the skin as healthy as possible. When bathing, use soaps that are not harsh to the skin. Do not use any cortisone products that contain steroids. Steroid-bases products are known to have many side effects and should be avoided.Diet is very important. Some common foods known to contain allergens that can aggravate the body are daily products such as milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt. Eggs should be avoided. Crustacean meat should be greatly reduced or avoided altogether. Lobster, shrimp, squid, prawns, clams, oysters, and other crustaceans can cause allergic reactions. Salmon should also be avoided along with calcium supplements and color dyes, especially Yellow #5. Additional allergens are products containing NutraSweet. Mushrooms sometime cause reactions for eczema sufferers and should not be eaten. Hot, spicy foods can cause intestinal inflammation which can cause outbreaks of eczema.

Sinus Antibiotic Causes Skin Rashes

2006-09-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

The powerful antibiotic Factive (gemifloxacin) may cause serious skin reactions and its effects should be studied further before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers its approval to treat acute sinus infections, FDA advisors said in documents released Monday.
The FDA approved Factive in 2003 to treat pneumonia and acute bronchitis, the Associated Press reported. Maker Oscient Pharmaceuticals Corp. has applied for expanded FDA approval to treat acute bacterial sinusitis.
But Factive, in both real-world use and clinical testing, appeared to have a greater risk of skin rashes than similar antibiotics, the AP reported.
On Tuesday, an expert panel advising the FDA will consider whether Factive's benefits outweigh its risks in treating sinus infections. The full agency usually follows the recommendations of its advisory panels in granting or denying approval.

With Cooler Weather Comes More Cases Of Nummular Eczema

2006-09-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Nummular eczema is a name given to a stubborn, sometimes itchy rash that forms coin-shaped patches on the skin. The lesions as they get older may clear in the center resembling ring worm or fungus. The condition tends to be chronic, with periods of quiescence and exacerbation.The cause is unknown although it is more common in the winter. Nummular eczema is frequently associated with dry skin. Wool, soaps and frequent bathing (more than once a day) often worsen the condition. People with eczema have skin that is dry and easily irritated by soap, detergents, and rough wool clothing. Clothes washed or dried with liquid or sheet fabric softeners such as Cling, may also irritate the skin. Hot and cold weather often aggravates eczema. Certain allergies may worsen eczema, but they don't cause it.

New Findings Back A Genetic Eczema Link

2006-09-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

The results of twenty studies that strongly back up a genetic breakthrough made by a University of Dundee scientist will be announced this week. In March this year, a group lead by Irwin McLean discovered a major gene (filaggrin) that causes atopic dermatitis (commonly known as 'eczema'), the most common skin disease in the developed world.
'It is tremendously gratifying that our discovery is being upheld by so many other groups around the world. This firmly establishes that a skin barrier defect underlies eczema and related conditions and importantly, sets the scene for the development of new and more effective treatments', said Professor McLean.
At a genetics meeting this week, Professor Richard Trembath, of King's College London, will report on the incredibly strong association of the filaggrin gene mutations they have found in the English population, in collaboration with the Dundee group. The data from the English study suggests that filaggrin mutations are carried by almost half of adults who have had severe eczema since childhood. This sheds light on the type of eczema conferred by this gene, that is to say, it may be appear early in childhood, is more severe, and may persist into adulthood.At the same conference, Professor McLean will present a further study in the Irish population of early onset eczema. The McLean group have now identified further defects in the gene that are also present in the general population. About 48 per cent of Irish cases of moderate to severe eczema carry one of five known defects in the filaggrin gene.A major problem encountered in the study of common disorders with a genetic component, such as eczema, is that one laboratory finds an association of the gene with the disease in question but others fail to duplicate the result in other populations and/or using other genetics methods. Fortunately, the filaggrin gene story is turning out to be very different.In the original report from the McLean group, there were already a number of duplicate studies in the Irish, Scottish and Danish populations. Since that time, the Dundee group, with their collaborator Dr Alan Irvine in Dublin, have reported further replication studies in the Irish and Southern German populations by a variety of methods. Two further independent papers from research groups in Germany have also been published, again confirming the role of this gene in eczema. These studies, in addition to those already published by the McLean/Irvine group and those emerging from other laboratories around the world, bring the total number of positive replications to about twenty and strongly establish filaggrin as an important gene in eczema and related allergic conditions, such as eczema-associated asthma.The McLean laboratory, at the Human Genetics Unit, University of Dundee, discovered that up to 10 per cent of people in European populations carry mutations that essentially 'knock out' or 'switch off' the filaggrin gene.This gene normally makes large amounts of filaggrin protein in the outermost layers of the epidermis. This protein is essential for maintaining skin barrier function that prevents the skin drying out and also prevents the entry of foreign substances into the body. The gene is also linked to a form of asthma that accompanies eczema in patients, as well as a number of other allergic symptoms, including eczema-associated hay fever.

Factors That May Cause Eczema

2006-09-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

A variety of things can contribute to cause eczema. Most commonly, the main cause of eczema is a general allergy of sensitivity (www.medinfo.co.uk). This results in atopic eczema and is associated with asthma and hay fever. Eczema can also result from skin contact with a substance that irritates the skin. Substances such as laundry detergents, soaps, diesel or engine oils, strong chemicals, cleaners, etc. commonly cause skin inflammation for individuals with eczema. Upon contact, the immune system reacts and will cause the skin to become inflamed, irritated, and very sore. Varicose veins can also cause eczema. This form of eczema affects the lower legs of individuals with poor circulation. Some foods have also been known to cause eczema. This varies from person to person. However, if the individual has an idea what the problem food may be, doctors advise them to remove the food from their diet and watch for any improvement. Emotional factors and stress levels can also aggravate eczema. If an individual is upset, the body and face often become red, itchy, and hot. A high stress level can also cause eczema to flare up. Eczema follows a course with many ups and downs, particularly associated with seasons and stress (Hall 80). It can be possible to control or minimize your eczema by identifying and isolating those triggers that are the cause of your eczema or cause your eczema to worsen during an outbreak.

National Eczema Week

2006-09-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

16th – 23rd September – National Eczema Week is an annual health awareness campaign organised by the National Eczema Society. The week aims to raise awareness of the condition that affects one in 12 adults and one-fifth of school-age children. This year's campaign will focus on the psychological impact of having eczema.

For more information visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/awareness_campaigns/sep_eczema.shtml

Incidence of Eczema May Be Stablizing

2006-09-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

After having risen year on year in recent decades, the rates of eczema and hay fever seem to have stabilised, and may even be falling, suggests research published ahead of print in Thorax. But the rates of systemic allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis and those related to food have soared, the data suggest. The research team carried out a time trends analysis on the rates of illness and death for allergic disorders, excluding asthma. They used national representative data and information from national surveys, consultations with primary care health practitioners, prescriptions, hospital admissions, and deaths. Diagnoses of allergic rhinitis and eczema in children have trebled over the past three decades, but the prevalence of symptoms seems to have fallen recently. Hospital admissions for eczema have also stabilised since 1995, while those for allergic rhinitis have fallen to about 40% of their 1990 levels. Similarly, consultations with a family doctor for hay fever rose by 260%, and for eczema by 150%, between 1971 and 1991. But once again, rates have stabilised in the past decade, the figures indicate. However, hospital admissions for anaphylaxis (serious allergic reaction in several areas of the body) have risen by 700%, those for food allergy by 500%, and those for the skin allergy urticaria by 100%. Rates of angio-oedema, in which an absence of a specific protein promotes tissue swelling, leading to difficulties breathing, also rose by 40%. Prescriptions for all types of allergy have also increased since 1991, the data show. The findings suggest that while eczema and hay fever may have peaked, systemic allergies may be on the increase, say the authors. They speculate that some of the trends could be explained by changes in medical practice and care, but they could also be attributable to changes in the sources of allergic disease.

Eczema Skin Irritation

2006-08-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

There are many causes for the skin to be irritated and to be become inflamed. The skin can resists irritation, but some individuals and especially fair-skinned people, postpartum females, older patients with drier skin, and those with existing dermatitis, have an enhanced sensitivity due to genetics or contact with toxic substances, abrasion, internal metabolic imbalance or endogenous dermatitis. One needs to always identify the cause which will take much time to examine foods & drinks, sun exposure, dehydration, detergents and over washing.

Xolegel Wins FDA Approval For Treatment Of Seborrheic Dermatitis

2006-08-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

Barrier Therapeutics' treatment for seborrheic dermatitis has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the company said in a statement.
Xolegel (2% ketoconazole, USP) is a once-daily topical gel to treat the skin condition, characterized by a red, scaly, itchy rash that primarily develops on the face, scalp, hairline, eyebrows and trunk.
Seborrheic dermatitis affects 3 percent to 5 percent of the U.S. population, or about 8.5 million people, the company said. The condition often recurs, requiring additional treatment.

The Etiology of Seborrheic Dermatitis

2006-07-10T09:55:00.000-07:00

Despite the high prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis, little is known about its etiology. However, several factors (e.g., hormone levels, fungal infections, nutritional deficits, neurogenic factors) are associated with the condition. The possible hormonal link may explain why the condition appears in infancy, disappears spontaneously, then reappears more prominently after puberty. A more causal link seems to exist between seborrheic dermatitis and the proliferation of Malassezia species (e.g., Malassezia furfur, Malassezia ovalis) found in normal dimorphic human flora. Yeasts of this genus predominate and are found in seborrheic regions of the body that are rich in sebaceous lipids (e.g., head, trunk, upper back). A causal relationship is implied because of the ability to isolate Malassezia in patients with seborrheic dermatitis and by its therapeutic response to antifungal agents. A similar link has been suggested in studies of patients with seborrheic dermatitis that is associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Seborrheic dermatitis also may be associated with nutritional deficiencies, but there is no firm linkage.

An altered essential fatty acid pattern may be important in the pathogenesis of infantile seborrheic dermatitis. Serum essential fatty acid patterns from 30 children with the condition suggested a transient impaired function of the delta-6 desaturase enzyme.12 A neurogenic theory for the development of seborrheic dermatitis may account for its association with parkinsonism and other neurologic disorders, including postcerebrovascular accidents, epilepsy, central nervous system trauma, facial nerve palsy, and syringomyelia induced by neuroleptic drugs with extrapyramidal effects.7 It may be confined to the syringomyelia-affected area or to the paralyzed side in a patient with hemiplegia. However, no neurotransmitters have been identified in this context.

Adolescent and adult seborrheic dermatitis usually starts as mild greasy scaling of the scalp with erythema and scaling of the nasolabial folds or the postauricular skin. The scaling often is concurrent with an oily complexion and appears in areas of increased sebaceous gland activity (e.g., auricles, beard area, eyebrows, trunk [flexure and inframammary areas]. Sometimes the central face is involved. Blepharitis, with meibomian gland occlusion and abscess formation, otitis externa, and coexistent acne vulgaris or pityriasis versicolor, may be evident.

Two types of seborrheic dermatitis may appear on the chest-a common petaloid type and a rarer pityriasiform type. The former starts as small, reddish-brown follicular and perifollicular papules with greasy scales. These papules become patches that resemble the shape of flower petals or a medallion (medallion seborrheic dermatitis). The pityriasiform type often has generalized macules and patches that resemble extensive pityriasis rosea. These patches rarely produce an eruption so generalized that it causes erythroderma.

In infants, seborrheic dermatitis may present as thick, greasy scales on the vertex of the scalp (cradle cap). The condition is not pruritic in infants, as it is in older children and adults.

Typically, acute dermatitis (characterized by oozing and weeping) is absent. The scales may vary in color, appearing white, off-white, or yellow. Infants with large, dry scales often have psoriasiform seborrheic dermatitis. This presentation often is the only sign of seborrheic dermatitis in infants and usually occurs in the third or fourth week after birth. However, the scalp, central face, forehead, and ears may have fine, widespread scaling. The dermatitis may become generalized. The flexural folds may be involved, often with a cheesy exudate that manifests as a diaper dermatitis that also may become generalized. Generalized seborrheic dermatitis is uncommon in otherwise healthy children and usually is associated with immunodeficiencies. Immunocompromised children with generalized seborrheic dermatitis often have concomitant diarrhea and failure to thrive (Leiner's disease); therefore, infants with these symptoms should be evaluated for immunodeficiencies.

Diagnosising Seborrheic Dermatitis

2006-07-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

A number of disorders are similar to seborrheic dermatitis. These include:

Atopic dermatitis
Candidiasis
Dermatophytosis
Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Tinea infection

One study11 showed that 47 percent of patients with AIDS had recalcitrant eruptions similar to seborrheic dermatitis that may be generalized in children and adults. Highly active antiretroviral therapy may reduce incidence in patients with AIDS.

Psoriasis vulgaris may be difficult to distinguish from seborrheic dermatitis. Psoriasis vulgaris of the scalp presents as sharply demarcated scalp plaques. Other signs of psoriasis, such as nail pitting or distal onycholysis, also may facilitate distinction.

Seborrheic dermatitis also may resemble atopic dermatitis, tinea capitis, and, rarely, cutaneous lymphoma or Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Atopic dermatitis in adults characteristically appears in antecubital and popliteal fossae. Tinea capitis, tinea faciei, and tinea corporis may have hyphae on potassium hydroxide cytologic examination; candidiasis produces pseudohyphae. Seborrheic dermatitis of the groin may resemble dermatophytosis, psoriasis, candidiasis, and, sometimes, Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Rosacea may produce a facial erythema resembling seborrheic dermatitis. Although rosacea tends to include central facial erythema, it may involve only the forehead.

Infants may have atopic dermatitis that is prevalent in certain body areas (e.g., scalp, face, diaper areas, extensor limb surfaces), suggesting seborrheic dermatitis. However, in infants, seborrheic dermatitis has axillary patches, lacks oozing and weeping, and lacks pruritus. The distinction is a clinical one because elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels associated with atopic dermatitis are a nonspecific finding. Rarely, infants are affected by histologic-specific scaling, seborrheic dermatitis-like eruptions on the scalp with fever, and other systemic signs of acute Langerhans cell histiocytosis (Letterer-Siwe disease). Scabetic eczema occasionally resembles widespread seborrheic dermatitis. Riboflavin, biotin, and pyridoxine deficiencies have been associated with seborrheic dermatitis-like eruptions in infants. Concomitant disorders (e.g., psoriasis, scabetic eczema, superficial fungal infection) may complicate seborrheic dermatitis, especially in patients with AIDS.

Skin biopsies may effectively distinguish seborrheic dermatitis from similar disorders. Seborrheic dermatitis should have neutrophils in the scale crust at the margins of follicular ostia. AIDS-associated seborrheic dermatitis more commonly presents as parakeratosis, a few individually necrotic keratinocytes within the epidermis, and plasma cells in the dermis. Yeast cells sometimes are visible within keratinocytes on special stains. If hyphae are present, dermatomycosis is the diagnosis. Shorter hyphae with spores ("spaghetti and meatball pattern") are present with tinea versicolor.

Treatment for Seborrheic Dermatitis

2006-07-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

Effective therapies for seborrheic dermatitis include anti-inflammatory (immunomodulatory) agents, keratolytic agents, antifungals, and alternative medications.

The conventional treatment for adult seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp starts with topical steroids or a calcineurin inhibitor. These therapies may be administered as a shampoo, such as fluocinolone (Synalar), topical steroid solutions, lotions applied to the scalp, or creams applied to the skin. Adults with seborrheic dermatitis typically use topical steroids once or twice daily, often in addition to a shampoo. Low-potency topical steroids may effectively treat infantile or adult seborrheic dermatitis of the flexural areas or persistent recalcitrant seborrheic dermatitis in adults. A topical azole preparation may be combined with a desonide regimen (one dose daily for two weeks) for facial seborrheic dermatitis.

Topical calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus ointment [Protopic], pimecrolimus cream [Elidel]) have fungicidal and anti-inflammatory properties without the risk of cutaneous atrophy, which is associated with topical steroids. Calcineurin inhibitors also are good therapies when the face and ears are affected. However, one week of daily use is necessary before benefits are apparent.

Older modalities for treating seborrheic dermatitis may have had keratolytic but not specific antifungal properties. Keratolytics that are widely used to treat seborrheic dermatitis include tar, salicylic acid, and zinc pyrithione shampoos. Pyrithione zinc has nonspecific keratolytic and antifungal properties and can be applied two or three times per week. Patients should leave these shampoos on the hair for at least five minutes to ensure that it reaches the scalp. Patients also may use it on other affected sites, such as the face. Infantile seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp requires a gentle approach3 (e.g., a mild, nonmedicated shampoo).

Most antifungal agents attack Malassezia associated with seborrheic dermatitis. A once-daily ketoconazole gel preparation (Nizoral) combined with a two-week, once-daily regimen of desonide (Desowen), may be useful for facial seborrheic dermatitis. Shampoos containing selenium sulfide (Selsun) or an azole often are used. These shampoos can be applied two or three times per week. Ketoconazole (cream or foaming gel) and oral terbinafine (Lamisil) also may be beneficial. Other topical antifungal agents include ciclopirox (Loprox) and fluconazole (Diflucan). Patients also may use a 2 % ketoconazole or a fluconazole shampoo. Some azoles (e.g., itraconazole [Sporanox], ketoconazole) also have anti-inflammatory properties.

Natural therapies are becoming increasingly popular. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca oil) is an essential oil from a shrub native to Australia. The therapy appears to be effective and well tolerated when used daily as a 5 % shampoo.

Eczema May Co-exist With Other Skin Conditions

2006-06-27T07:29:00.000-07:00

Research by Bass & Boney Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 1999 determined that patients with rosacea often have seborrheic dermatitis which co-exists in 35% of sufferers which makes for a most delicate skin condition.1 In the summer of 2004, research by the National Rosacea Society verified these facts in a study of their own: “According to a new study, rosacea is the most common facial skin disorder overlapping with seborrheic dermatitis (SD), a chronic and recurring inflammatory condition characterized by a red, scaly or itchy rash often found in the creases around the nose, the inner eyebrows or as dandruff on the scalp. Dr. James Del Rosso, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Nevada, found that 26 percent of rosacea patients had facial SD and 28 percent had SD of the scalp.2 “ Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition which results in overactive sebaceous glands which cause inflammation, flaking and a red rash in the central portion of the face. If one looks closely, the flakes usually have a greasy look, smell and feel. The dryness of seborrheic dermatitis is perceived because of the flaking which consists of dried layers of accumulated oil. Seborrheic dermatitis usually affects the scalp, but can also affect other parts of the body, such as eyebrows, eyelids, the folds of the nose, lips, behind or inside the ears, in the external ear, the forehead and the chin and the skin of the trunk, particularly around the navel, in the skin folds under the arms, in the groin, or under the breasts. In infants seborrheic dermatitis is referred to as cradle cap or infantile eczema. Dermatitis-Ltd can be used on skin that is sensitive to the occurrence of both rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.

Associated Reference 1. Patients with Rosacea often have seborrheic dermatitis which co-exist in 35% of sufferers which makes for a most delicate skin condition; and even more so when adult acne co-exist with rosacea in approximately 82% of sufferers. The combination of the three is quite aggravating as seen by years of past efforts, the treatment of one condition aggravates the other two medical conditions. 2.Del Rosso J. The prevalence of seborrheic dermatitis in patients with other commonly encountered facial dermatoses. Poster presentation, American Academy of Dermatology summer meeting, New York, July 2004.

Topical B-12 Vitamin For Treatment of Atopic Eczema/Dermatitis

2006-06-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

Topical vitamin B12--a new therapeutic approach in atopic dermatitis-evaluation of efficacy and tolerability in a randomized placebo-controlled multicentre clinical trial. Stucker M, Pieck C, Stoerb C, Niedner R, Hartung J, Altmeyer P. Clinic for Dermatology and Allergology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. m.stuecker@derma.de

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B(12) is an effective scavenger of nitric oxide (NO). As the experimental application of a NO synthase inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L-arginine, led to a clear decrease in pruritus and erythema in atopic dermatitis, it would be reasonable to assume a comparable effect of vitamin B(12).

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy and tolerability of a new vitamin B(12) cream as a possible alternative to current therapies was examined.

METHODS: A prospective, randomized and placebo-controlled phase III multicentre trial, involving 49 patients was conducted. For the treatment duration of 8 weeks, each patient applied twice daily (in the morning and evening) the vitamin B(12)-containing active preparation to the affected skin areas of one side of the body and the placebo preparation to the contralateral side according to the randomization scheme.

RESULTS: On the body side treated with the vitamin B(12) cream, the modified Six Area Six Sign Atopic Dermatitis score dropped to a significantly greater extent than on the placebo-treated body side (for the investigational drug 55.34 +/- 5.74 SEM, for placebo 28.87 +/- 4.86 SEM, P < 0.001). At the conclusion of the study, the investigator and patients awarded mostly a 'good' or 'very good' rating to the active drug (58% and 59%, respectively) and a 'moderate' or 'poor' rating to the placebo (89% and 87%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Topical vitamin B(12) is a new therapeutic approach in atopic dermatitis. These results document a significant superiority of vitamin B(12) cream in comparison with placebo with regard to the reduction of the extent and severity of atopic dermatitis. Furthermore, the treatment was very well tolerated and involved only very low safety risks for the patients.

Eczema Condition Hives Often Caused By Allergic Reaction

2006-06-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

Hives, medically called urticaria, are red and swollen patches of skin that can appear anywhere on the body. They are usually itchy, may sting, and typically last only a few hours. Hives vary in size and usually appear in groups.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a reaction to a drug or food is the most common cause of hives. Nuts, chocolate, fish, eggs, berries and milk are some of the foods most likely to cause hives.
The most effective way to prevent hives is to figure out what is causing the reaction, and to remove it from your diet or drug regimen. A prescription or over-the-counter antihistamine can reduce redness, swelling and itching. In more severe cases, a physician may administer stronger drugs such as epinephrine or cortisone.

Global Warming Makes Impact on Poison Ivy

2006-05-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

Another reason to worry about global warming: more and itchier poison ivy. The noxious vine grows faster and bigger as carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rise, researchers report Monday.
And a CO2-driven vine also produces more of its rash-causing chemical, urushiol, conclude experiments conducted in a forest at Duke University where scientists increased carbon-dioxide levels to those expected in 2050.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas a chemical that traps heat similar to the way a greenhouse does that's considered a major contributor to global warming. Greenhouse gases have been steadily increasing in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution.
Poison ivy is common in woods around the country, making it a bane of hikers, campers, fighters of forest fires, even backyard gardeners. Its itchy, sometimes blistering rash is one of the most widely reported ailments to poison-control centers, with more than 350,000 reported cases a year.
Compared to poison ivy grown in usual atmospheric conditions, those exposed to the extra-high carbon dioxide grew about three times larger and produced more allergenic form of urushiol, scientists from Duke and Harvard University reported.
Their study appears in this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"The fertilization effect of rising CO2 on poison ivy … and the shift toward a more allergenic form of urushiol have important implications for the future health of both humans and forests," the study concludes.

Early Exposure To Cats May Increase Eczema Risk

2006-05-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

Children who are exposed to cats soon after birth face an increased risk of developing eczema, an inflammatory condition that causes the skin to become red, scaly and itchy, says a study.
Esmeralda Morales at the University of Arizona in Tucson and other researchers studied 486 children and asked their parents how many cats and dogs they had in the house at the time the child was born, according to science portal EurekAlert.
The researchers then followed up one year later to see which children had been diagnosed with eczema. Of the 134 children with cats in the household, 27.6 percent had eczema by one year of age, compared with 17.8 percent of 286 children without cats.
Previous studies have found that people with eczema have a higher chance of also having allergic conditions, including hay fever and asthma.
"Other studies have found that having cats or dogs at home seems to be protective against allergic diseases, so we expected to have similar findings," said Morales.
Being exposed to two or more dogs at home suggested a slightly protective, but not significant, effect on children’s risk of developing eczema, he however said.
"Pets are a source of a compound called endotoxin, and if a child is exposed to endotoxin early in life, the immune system may be skewed away from developing an allergic profile," she said.
It is possible that the children in the study who developed eczema at age one might end up having a reduced risk of asthma or other allergic diseases later in life, Morales noted.
"The findings do seem to add more questions about pets and asthma and allergies," she said. "Since there are a lot of contradictory data out there already, clearly it’s a topic that needs further research."

Fabric Fiber May Soothe Eczema

2006-05-31T08:50:00.000-07:00

After due research, Daiwabo Neu Co, an Osaka-based textile maker has developed a fibre that reduces itching for the atopic dermatitis affected people, generating soothing effect.In an experiment, financed by Shinshu University and other such institutions, it was concluded that among the 100 subjects, 80 felt relief when they wore undergarments made from this fibre.Atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, is a condition where the sufferers have extreme itching sensation on skin and intense scratching causes infection, bleeding and discomfiture.This fibre is dyed in iron phthalocyanine, an organic chemical that destroys the protein that accelerates itching sensation and decomposes allergens such as dust mites and house dust; all major causes of such irritation.Professional doctors examined patients during the trials for the scars and blemishes, sources informed.

Soy Products May Be Causing Your Eczema

2006-05-19T07:11:00.000-07:00

As dairy products are common allergens, many people with eczema have switched to soy. However, a number of studies have proven that soy, in most forms, is not a healthy alternative, and you may be trading your eczema for a worse fate. If you have an allergy to dairy and are substituting it with soy, you need to know the facts – when soy is safe, and when it’s not.

Although soy does contain some nutrients that are beneficial, it also contains substances like isoflavones – which are quite easy to overdose. The main problematic isoflavones are genistein, daidzein, and glycitein, which act like estrogen in the body. This has a number of ill-effects, not the least of which is hormonal imbalances, which, in turn, cause problems like eczema and other skin conditions.Soy also contains a number of natural toxins, ‘anti-nutrients’, that interfere with several bodily functions, including digestive system and thyroid function. An unhealthy digestive system inhibits the body’s ability to get rid of toxins, forcing the body to eventually eliminate them through the skin – often resulting in eczema. Thyroid conditions are also frequently associated with dry skin and eczema.

So, if soy isn’t the wonder food that it’s cracked up to be, how did it become so popular? Much of the hype about soy has been based on the alleged high consumption in Asia. However, contrary to popular belief, Asians have historically consumed very little soy, and their diets still contain only a fraction of that consumed by many vegetarians in the U.S. In China, it is always in small amounts, and it is almost always fermented. The Chinese learned about the toxins centuries ago, and developed the fermentation processes that made it safe for human consumption.

Could Insects In Your Food And Makeup Be Causing Your Eczema?

2006-05-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Never mind that fly in your soup. Consider the bugs that may be in your juice, yogurt and eye shadow.
The Food and Drug Administration is deliberating a rule that would require food companies to state on their labels that the product contains an additive made out of bugs that, when crushed and processed, yields a rich red or a vivid orange color.
The additives, carmine and cochineal extract, have been used for centuries and come from a female beetle imported from Peru, the Canary Islands, Bolivia, Chile and South Africa.
The agency said the beetle-derived ingredient is used in some 815 cosmetic preparations most of which already are labeled. The additives produce the lovely pinks, purples and reds that perk up juices, popsicles, cosmetic face blush, the cherries in fruit cocktail that little kids love, port wine cheese, artificial crab meat, strawberry milk drinks, caviar, a fruit-based aperitif and other products.
Some Yoplait yogurt made by General Mills Inc., for example, uses carmine. It is listed on the ingredient label, and the company said it had no plans to discontinue its use.
In the 1960s, the FDA, based on company testing, declared the substances safe. And companies at that time said they had received no adverse reports from the substances' use.
It wasn't until about a decade ago that medical reports surfaced showing that the additives can cause allergic reactions in some people, including flushing, hives, eczema, sneezing and anaphylaxis, a severe, sudden allergic reaction that can result in death.
Though not widespread, the problem caught the eye of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The watchdog group and several physicians petitioned the FDA in 1998 to ban the additives or to at least list them and their insect derivation.
"We're urging the FDA to get rid of it. Here is an opportunity to protect people from unnecessary reactions. When reactions are life-threatening, they the FDA should get it off the market," said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the CSPI.
Jacobson said the dyes can be replaced by other artificial or natural dyes that don't elicit the same reaction.
The FDA has taken a different tack. It proposed in January that foods containing carmine and cochineal extract list them on their labels. Retail cosmetics already must list them as ingredients, but the FDA proposal adds "professional-use" cosmetics and gifts or free samples that often come with promotions to buy cosmetics.
"FDA is proposing this action to protect the small number of consumers who are allergic to these color additives. By requiring label declaration of cochineal extract and carmine, these consumers will be able to avoid food and cosmetics containing these color additives. Cochineal extract and carmine are safe for the majority of the general population," the agency said in a statement last week. The comment period ended May 1.
Companies would have two years to change their labeling under the proposal, which could cost up to $3 million, the FDA said. The benefit for avoiding the consequences of allergic reactions was estimated at anywhere from $1 million to $26 million.
Because it comes from an insect, carmine is considered a natural additive and can be accounted for on a label as simply "artificial color" or "color added." There are many other natural color additives in that group, including annatto extract, beet powder and grape skin extract.
Under FDA rule, other colors used in food processing that are not derived from plants or animals must be listed by name, such as FD&C Red No. 40.
In its proposal, the FDA cited 35 cases of allergic reactions since 1994 from Ruby Red grapefruit juice, purple eye shadow and other products. Jacobson said the number is likely to be much higher because his group assumes that many cases are not reported.
Pediatric allergist Scott Sicherer at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York said he has not seen reactions in his patients. But he urged the FDA to list the additives as ingredients. "It's a rare allergen, but there's no reason not to label it," Sicherer said.
The Food Products Association, the country's largest trade group serving the food and beverage industry, doesn't object to putting the words on the label, said Robert Earl, senior director of nutrition policy. "Many of our companies have been listing it for years," he said.
But the group complained in its comment: "Numerous food ingredients and additives are derived from animals, including insects. FDA does not require a statement about insect derivation about any of those ingredients or additives, such as honey or shellac."
If the FDA doesn't ban the additive, the CSPI thinks the next best thing to is to tell consumers what carmine and cochineal extract are. The group suggested that people with dietary restrictions might be surprised to know the colors' origin.
In the proposal, however, the FDA said if people don't know what the words mean, they can look them up. "Information on the origin of these color additives is readily available to those consumers who want it. This information is provided in standard dictionaries for the words 'cochineal' and 'carmine.' "

Eczema Its Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

2006-05-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

Eczema is characterized by a rash, dryness of skin, itching, and redness of skin.

The symptoms of eczema occur due to the overproduction of damaging inflammatory skin cells and continue to worsen as a result of certain factors in the environment.

The cause of eczema can be traced to environmental factors. Foods, shampoos, soaps, laundry detergents, synthetic fabrics, stress, and temperature changes are capable of irritating already existing eczema and may even be the cause of a new eczema condition.

Although eczema is a chronic skin condition, there are various forms of treatment and interventions available to help control eczema. Eczema is a hereditary condition and thus is not contagious to others. A general picture of eczema can encompass different stages.

Some people may have only a small patch of affected skin while others may have larger patches all over the body. An individual may experience one mild eczema outbreak while others experience chronic severe incidences of eczema.

In some cases after an eczema outbreak the skin remains more reactive than it was prior to the outbreak. The eczema-affected skin is very sensitive and the individual must be aware of the trigger factors and try to avoid them.

Baby Eczema

2006-05-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

If your baby has an itchy skin rash the problem may be eczema (also called atopic dermatitis). Baby eczema can crop up on a baby's skin when a child is as young as 2 months old. It generally appears on the forehead, cheeks, or scalp and sometimes spreads to the arms or chest. The rash often shows up as dry, thickened scaly skin, but is sometimes made up of tiny red bumps that may ooze or become infected if scratched.

Eczema is thought to be a reaction to allergy-causing substances in the environment. About 10 percent of infants have eczema at some point, but many improve before they're 2 years old.

Because the condition is often inherited, your child is more likely to develop eczema if you or some other close family member has any kind of allergic condition, says Amy Paller, professor of pediatrics and dermatology at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago.

Seaweed Wine May Be Effective Eczema Treatment

2006-05-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

Germans scientists have turned their talents to the world of gastronomy and produced seaweed wine – which, in addition to its epicurean delight, will apparently help improve eczema.

What does seaweed have to offer? It has long been considered a ‘super food’ – fat-free, low calorie, and full of vital minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, iodine and sodium. In fact, some seaweed contains those minerals in the same ratios and concentrations found in human blood.

In addition to nourishing the body, one of the most important health benefits of seaweed is its ability to remove radioactive strontium and other heavy metals from the body. Whole brown seaweed, such as is used in seaweed wine, contains alginic acid which binds with the toxins in the intestines and carries them out of the system – preventing them from being eliminated through the skin, as is the case with eczema flare-ups.

If you don’t fancy the wine, you might try adding seaweed to your diet in other forms. It can be found in most health food stores, or those that sell ingredients for Japanese food. You can add strips of it to soup, use it to make a soup broth, or eat it dried as a snack. The red algae seaweed, such as nori, agar-agar, and Irish moss are also very good for you. Nori is the seaweed used to wrap sushi, but Gaelic people also mix it with flour to make bread. Agar-agar is a gel used as a base in many Japanese desserts, and dried Irish moss is most often used in relishes, breads, soups and fritters.

In addition to shoring up your diet with seaweed and other healthy foods, the skin also requires protection from harsh chemicals and other external toxins if you want to avoid eczema flare-ups.

Thoughts On Eczema Treatments

2006-05-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

Eczema is a chronic skin condition which can mean itchy, dry skin. It can erupt into lesions or, over time, thicken into scales. The condition affects both children and adults. Treatment often depends on the age of the person and where the eczema is located.
Children and babies tend to have involvement in the cheeks and involvements in the surface of the arms, the surface of the legs.
As people become older, the disease tends to localize in new sites. Often the creases, in the creases both behind the knees and behind the elbows are very common sites of involvement.
The first line of defense in treating eczema is something to keep the skin from being so dry. So we use lubricating creams or ointments. In the wintertime, when it's cold, you use an ointment to lubricate the skin. In the summertime, you might want to use a cream or a lotion, so you don't plug the pores.
If the person is flaring and they have lesions, then what dermatologists like to use topical steroids. And you have many classes, class basically 1 through 6, with 1 being the most potent.
We know that if they're used for prolonged periods, particularly if there are high-potency steroids used in a large surface area for long periods, that the patients can suffer from a number of things. One is thinning of the skin, atrophy of the skin or the development of large blood vessels over that area.
Systemic steroids may be appropriate when the topical steroids fail. You don't want to use them for a long period of time because they can cause shut down of the adrenal gland or a decreased function of the adrenal gland. So we try not to use them for long periods of time.
There's also a new group of medications out; the one's tacrolimus and one's pimecrolimus, Protopic and Elidel. And they have been found to work very well in patients who have eczema. The Protopic is an ointment, two different strengths, and the Elidel is a cream. It's not topical steroids where you have to be careful of atrophy and so forth. You can use them basically for years without the problem.
Thus far, they appear to be relatively safe drugs. Certainly with tacrolimus, we know that if you absorb too much, you could get some immunosuppression because that drug was used as a transplant immunosuppression. That doesn't appear to be the case with Elidel.
Deciding which treatment is a balancing act weighing several factors.
The area of the body involved is an important issue for you when deciding which treatment to use. There are certain areas of the body that are particularly high-risk when you use topical corticosteroids; those include the face, the eyelids, under the armpits, in the groin. The reason is those areas of the body have very, very thin skin. So the skin very easily can absorb more of the agent that you're putting on or be affected by it.
The age of the sufferer is also important. The smaller body size of children makes them even more susceptible to the affects of steroids.
Let's say a young child was smeared in these topical corticosteroids, they could absorb it, and it could have an affect on their growth. It could suppress glands in the body, the adrenals. So we know that too much steroid for too long is dangerous.
However, today, the non- steroidals give doctors a new element to factor into the decision on which treatment to use for each patient.
If there is a need to use something for a prolonged period, one of the new immunomodulators may be considered, on the face, particularly. It's a real gain to have an agent that can be used chronically that does not seem to have the risks of atrophy, thinning of the skin or cataracts. So, particularly around the eyelids, on the face, the choice may be the use the newer immunomodulators.
You think about the nonsteroidals with the age of the patient, the location of the lesions; if it's facial, if it's under the arms, if it's between the legs, if it's on the genitalia, then you would probably go with a nonsteroidal.
If it's recurrent, because they're taking their steroids and not getting better, then you would definitely think about them.
Having new non steroidal options is particularly good news for children and their parents.
There has been some new data that's come out with the newer immunomodulators, particularly with Elidel, and it has been found that it was very, very efficacious, very useful in preventing flare. And the absorption of the drug was minimal. So this is certainly an option that you can use with young children.
While eczema treatments are not cures, having a variety of options means people can have a broader range of safe and effective therapies to treat their condition.

Isolating The Cause of Eczema

2006-04-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

Eczema in many people is an adverse reaction to specific substances. If those substances are environmental, a good moisturizer such as jojoba oil should be used to protect your skin and help it heal.
But if the culprits are food, you have to eliminate the offenders – something that is easier said than done, but vital if you want to handle your eczema. The most common offending foods are eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, cows’ milk and fish. Corn is also high on the list.
If you suspect your eczema is caused by a food allergy, you need to eliminate one food at a time. If you eliminate more than one, and your eczema gets better, you won’t be able to tell which food was causing it. Start with one of the foods on the list above, since these are the usual suspects, and stop eating it for at least a week to allow enough time for change in your eczema to occur.
You have to be careful that you eliminate all sources of the food since many prepared foods, including soups, sauces, and so on, also contain the offending food. Corn is found in some of the last places you would expect – like frozen orange juice and Hershey’s chocolate syrup. Wheat is probably in half of the boxes and cans in your cupboard. In fact, many people are convinced that wheat, for example, can’t possibly be the problem because they gave up bread and pasta long ago. But, they haven’t looked at the ingredients of the food in their cupboards.
Also, when testing children, remember that their digestive systems are still developing and, consequently, they may have reactions to any new food you introduce. If the reaction is severe, you should of course eliminate it immediately. But if it is minor, wait for a few weeks to see if the reaction stops.
Remember, too, that other factors such as stress can also exacerbate the condition. If you eliminate eggs at the same time as quitting a stressful job, the improvement may be because of the stress factor, not the eggs.
The best thing to do is to keep other things constant while you’re testing the foods – don’t introduce brand new foods, don’t make any big changes in your life that affect you emotionally – try to keep everything the same except the food you’re eliminating.
It’s also important to make sure you don’t start using new cleaning products or other chemicals that may stir things up. As it’s sometimes difficult to know what chemicals or environmental toxins you’re going to come in contact with, the best thing to do is use a moisturizer. A moisturizer bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a protective barrier that prevents chemicals from irritating the skin. So it’s the perfect topical eczema treatment for those who react to those substances, and it ensures that environmental toxins don’t enter into the mix when doing the food testing. Apply it every day, and start a week or so before the food testing.If you can’t find which of the foods is the culprit on your own, find a doctor or nutritionist who can help you do the testing.

Combining Eczema Medication And Concealer

2006-04-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

Therapeutic Clothing For Eczema

2006-04-17T11:35:00.000-07:00

Sanford company specializing in prescription dermatology medicines has branched out into therapeutic clothing.This month, Hill Dermaceuticals began selling a new line of sleepwear and "lounge" clothing designed for infants, children and adults with chronic skin diseases. While largely marketed through dermatologists and pediatricians, the clothing is also sold directly to consumers at two Web sites: Hillderm.com and DermaSmart.com.
The "DermaSmart" garments bear the label of South Carolina textile giant Milliken, which makes the high-tech fabric used for the white tops, T-shirts and lounge pants.
But the clothes, which range in price from $30 for a child's long-sleeve T-shirt to $54 for a pair of adult lounge pants, are manufactured in a converted computer store leased by Hill Dermaceuticals in downtown Sanford.
Hill Dermaceuticals, which has been owned and operated for the past 27 years by Jerry Roth, makes prescription skin creams and oils at its main facility adjacent to Orlando Sanford International Airport.
The privately held company is perhaps best known as the maker of Derma-Smoothe/FS scalp oil, the top-selling prescription medicine for people with scalp psoriasis.Roth said he expects to eventually move the garment-manufacturing operation to the company's airport site, but he's in no hurry. "We're not looking to do this quickly. Dermatologists and pediatricians need to get familiar with this [clothing]."With 10 full-time workers at the satellite facility, including four experienced sewers, Hill is already turning out 150 to 200 garments a day, with the operation's maximum capacity about three times that amount, Roth said.
"We're not making Jockey T-shirts for millions. This is for a niche market, but there are an estimated 30 million Americans with chronic eczema," Roth said. The clothing, which can be worn as undergarments as well as for lounging and sleeping, is also suitable for recovering burn victims.
While the product is so new that few people have tried it, DermaSmart clothing already has a big fan in Emily Varel.The 8-year-old Lake Wales girl has lived with severe eczema for nearly half her life. A year ago, she received a trial pair of DermaSmart pajamas through her dermatologist's nurse-practitioner.
Before receiving the high-tech pajamas, Emily would scratch her arms, legs and back to the point of bleeding, and she never slept through the night, reported her mother, Kim Varel. Cotton pajamas never seemed to work, said Varel, who often resorted to wrapping Emily's legs in Saran Wrap at night. Emily, needless to say, hated that solution.
It took about a week of wearing DermaSmart for Emily's itching to get better, her mother reported, but since then the biggest problem is getting Emily to wear other clothing during the day. Emily has now outgrown her free samples, so Mom recently spent $70 for a new top and pants. She considers it a bargain.
"It's a big ease off my mind, and a lot less pain for my child," said Varel, a mother of three.
Emily's nurse-practitioner, Jodie Schmidt, expects DermaSmart garments to be a hit. "Choosing clothing for people with eczema is difficult," said Schmidt, who works for Dr. James Morgan, a Lake Wales dermatologist.
"I've always told parents to choose 100 percent cotton clothing, but that's imperfect at best," she said. DermaSmart feels like thin, soft cotton but dries much faster, distributes perspiration better, and uses minute amounts of silver to prevent bacteria build-up. It also features flat seams and even puts its label on the outside to avoid irritating the wearer's skin."I think this will make a big difference for kids," Schmidt said. "The trouble is at night -- they itch at night, they wake their parents, and the child is miserable. You still have to use topical medicines, but this adds to the comfort level and makes it easier for the child to sleep.
"The idea of a small company specializing for decades in prescription medicines suddenly becoming a clothing manufacturer may seem odd to some, but Roth sees it as a natural fit. His company is already well known and regarded by dermatologists and pediatricians, and DermaSmart is not a mass-market item.
That's why textile giant Milliken, after developing a fabric especially for people with chronic skin conditions, sought a partnership, Roth said. "They spent a lot of time researching this, and when they went to dermatologists, our name kept coming up.
"Milliken approached Roth a year ago about using Hill Dermaceuticals to market the product, but Roth insisted his company also be the manufacturer.Roth described his business philosophy as consisting of three elements: make products that are safe, work well and are affordable. His clothing line meets that criteria, he said, adding one more element:
"If we say it's non-irritating, it has to be non-irritating."

An Eczema Treatment Controversy

2006-04-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

An article entitled “Eczema Uncomfortable But Not Dangerous” was recently published on a popular medical site. It presents a light-hearted view of the condition, stating that most kids gets rashes at some time or other, and if they get eczema (as do one in ten), it’s simply solved by giving them steroids.
Eczema can have serious underlying causes that are going to be ignored if this light-hearted advice is followed.Let’s have a look at just a few of the most common underlying causes of eczema and their true significance.
High pH factor: When the level of acid gets so high that normal function fails to neutralize it, the body starts to take unusual measures in an attempt to keep the acid from invading the blood and vital organs. These include encasing the acid in fat tissue, and creating more fat tissue if there’s not enough, and leaching acid-neutralizing minerals like calcium from teeth and bones. If these actions fail, the acid starts to penetrate and corrode the vital organs. Much of the above has already occurred by the time the acid erupts through the skin, starting the eczema.
Dehydration: The brain is 80 percent water, and the blood is 92 percent. It’s important to keep these levels constant, as going below optimum by just 1 percent starts to cause problems. First we get thirsty, then our mental acuity starts breaking down, our metabolism slows, and our circulatory and digestive systems start to malfunction and the rest of the body starts to deteriorate. These processes have already begun when our skin becomes dry and itchy, and we get eczema.
Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency: EFA deficiency can cause growth retardation, inhibit development, and compromise the immune system. EFAs are vital for prevention of chronic diseases including coronary artery disease, hypertension, type II diabetes, arthritis and other immune/inflammatory disorders, and cancer. By the time the eczema shows up, you already have an internal situation.
Eczema, like most skin problems and many other conditions and disorders, is a symptom of something else going on. It’s a visible warning sign – designed to alert the owner that the body is not doing well. Failure to find out what’s behind it could have serious consequences.

What it appears to come down to is that everyone has their own agenda and everyone is trying to sell their own cure.

Keeping Eczema Skin Clean And Moisturized

2006-04-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

When it comes to treating atopic dermatitis, dermatologists consider moisturizing and gentle cleansing to be indispensable. Yet, a recent survey revealed that 23% of adults living with atopic dermatitis say they do not do not apply moisturizer and 29% do not use a cleanser. The researchers also found that most of the people who participated in the survey wanted more information about moisturizers and cleansers.
Why is Moisturizing So Important?
Our skin is our barrier. It protects us from unseen invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful organisms and toxins. Our skin also prevents us from losing large amounts of water. The outermost layer of skin, the stratum corneum, serves as our first line of defense. Some dermatologists call this our “bricks and mortar.”When atopic dermatitis develops, the stratum corneum breaks down. With gaps in our bricks and mortar, the skin is more easily irritated. These gaps also make it easier for bacteria and viruses to enter the body. Easier access and the weakened immune system of atopic dermatitis make people more susceptible to infection. The skin also loses moisture more readily, causing dry skin. Studies have shown that when patients with atopic dermatitis properly use a recommended moisturizer, it can help:
Alleviate dry skin. Moisturizer forms a protective coating that reduces the amount of water lost through the skin. This, in turn, decreases dryness, itch, and cracking skin. Depending on the patient’s signs and symptoms, it may be necessary to apply moisturizer 4 or more times per day. Moisturizer should always be applied after a shower or bath while the skin is still damp. This locks in moisture.
Boost the skin’s protective abilities.
Moisturizer forms a protective membrane on the skin. One type of product called a barrier-repair emollient may provide the skin with essential components that can actually repair the damaged stratum corneum. Two small studies showed that a barrier-repair emollient produced dramatic improvement. In one of these studies, 24 children with stubborn to recalcitrant (not responding to treatment) atopic dermatitis were treated with a barrier-repair emollient containing ceramide (a molecule that helps regulate our skin cells and an effective emollient). Fifteen of the children were previously treated with other emollients.
The emollient containing ceramide was applied twice a day for 12 weeks. All 24 children showed improvement within 3 weeks. By the end of 12 weeks, there was such significant improvement in all children that the researchers asked for the emollient be applied once a day. With regular once-a-day use, the skin continued to improve. Larger studies are needed to determine if a barrier-repair emollient actually repairs the skin. Research, to date, has not shown whether or not barrier-repair emollients offer any benefit not provided by other emollients.
Increase the effectiveness of topical corticosteroids, and possibly reduce the need for long-term corticosteroid treatment. Researchers have found that using both a topical corticosteroid and a moisturizer decreases the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis better than use of a topical corticosteroid alone. Studies also have found that proper use of a moisturizer along with a topical corticosteroid can reduce the amount of corticosteroid needed. This suggests that using an appropriate moisturizer may reduce the need for long-term corticosteroids.
Reduce skin irritation. One study found that pre-treating skin affected by atopic dermatits with moisturizer before exposing it to dust mite or grass pollen significantly reduced patients’ reactions to these substances. More than half of the patients said they would continue using the moisturizer after the study ended. The researchers concluded that moisturizer may help prevent exacerbation in patients with atopic dermatitis; however, more research is needed.
Improve the skin’s appearance. A large-scale study found that applying certain lipid-rich moisturizers significantly improved the condition of skin affected by atopic dermatis. During this study, patients either applied a lipid-rich moisturizer alone or the lipid-rich moisturizer and a topical corticosteroid. In many cases, the moisturizer alone was as effective as the moisturizer plus corticosteroid in relieving dryness and scaling in patients. However, when it came to reducing the redness and itch, the corticosteroid plus moisturizer was more effective. This finding suggests that once the atopic dermatitis is under control, a moisturizer alone may be all that is needed.
Gentle Cleansing Essential
Cleansing the skin helps keep it healthy. Washing removes oils, dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells, and a number of other substances. The key to cleansing skin affected by atopic dermatitis is to be gentle because the outer layer of skin, the stratum corneum, is damaged and fragile. Rubbing, scrubbing, peeling, microdermabrasion, and exfoliating can cause more damage as can harsh soaps. Soap can dry the skin and worsen itching. Mesh sponges, abrasive scrubs, and woven face cloths should not be used as they also can further damage the skin. Anything that increases damage to the skin can cause a flare-up and block the effects of treatment. When washing, be sure to use a mild cleanser and to gently apply it with your fingertips. Cleanser should be rinsed off with lukewarm water. Dermatologists recommend that cleanser never be applied to skin that has flared. Even the mildest cleanser can be quite irritating when skin has flared.
Ask a Dermatologist for Product Recommendations
With the number of moisturizers, emollients, and cleansers on the market, trying to choose suitable products can boggle the mind. Typing the word “moisturizer” in a popular Internet search engine yields more than 2 million results. If that is not challenge enough, certain ingredients in these products can cause folliculitis (a type of skin inflammation that may resemble acne) or prickly heat in people living with atopic dermatitis. And, did you know that products containing glycerin and rose water — ingredients used to effectively moisturize skin — can increase dryness in skin affected by atopic dermatitis? To help sort through the options, you may want to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. After considering a number of factors, such as the severity of your atopic dermatitis and overall health, the dermatologist can recommend suitable products. This can save you time and money. During this appointment, the dermatologist also can show you how to apply cleanser and moisturizer to get optimal results.
References:Berson D. “Recommendation of Moisturizers and Cleansers: A Study of Unmet Needs Among Dermatology Patients.” Cutis. 2005 December;76(6S):3-6.Chamlin SL et al. “Ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids alleviate childhood atopic dermatitis: Changes in barrier function provide a sensitive indicator of disease activity.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2002 August; 47(2):198-208.Draelos, ZD. “Concepts in Skin Care Maintenance.” Cutis. 2005 December;76(6S):19-25.Eichenfield LF et at. “Consensus conference on pediatric atopic dermatitis.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2003 December; 49(6)1088-95.Ghali FE. “Improved Clinical Outcomes with Moisturization in Dermatologic Disease.” Cutis. 2005 December;76(6S):13-18.Lebwohl M et al. “Impaired Skin Barrier Function in Dermatologic Disease and Repair with Moisturization.” Cutis. 2005 December;76(6S):7-12

Living With Eczema

2006-04-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

'ECZEMA affects one in five children. It causes patches of dry, itchy red and flaking skin which can flare up and affect large areas of the body.
The condition hits each sufferer differently, but the key to success in all treatment is vigorous skin care.
The first step is to reduce contact with irritants.
Avoid soaps, including bubble bath and shampoos even if they say "baby, simple or low-allergen" on the label.
Anything can be an irritant so test new products on a clear bit of skin before using regularly.
Use cotton clothes and bedding that have been well rinsed after washing.
Moisturising is extremely important to restore the skin barrier. Find a moisturiser you are happy with and use it many times a day.
Scratching and rubbing releases an irritant chemical called histamine under the skin which makes the eczema much worse.
Keep nails short and put on long sleeves and mitts or medicated bandages to reduce the damage from scratching.
Steroid ointments are used on the worst patches to counteract inflammation.
Your doctor will choose a strength of cream, depending on the severity and where it is to be applied.
Antihistamines like Piriton reduce the itch and cause drowsiness to help your child sleep at night without scratching.
Antibiotics are used on weepy, infected skin.
Specialist clinics may treat severe cases with ultraviolet light, steroid tablets and immuno-suppressant medicines.
Thankfully, two thirds of children will grow out of the problem by their teens.
There is no cure for eczema yet, but scientists at Dundee University have recently discovered a malfunctioning gene present in many sufferers that causes a breakdown of the normal skin barrier.

Warmer weather eczema - poison ivy

2006-03-30T10:03:00.000-08:00

With the approach of warmer weather comes another form of eczema - poison ivy.
If you've stumbled on a patch of poison ivy, here are a few tips from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation to help minimize your discomfort:
Try to catch the rash early. If you think you might have poison ivy, wash the area well with soap and cool water.
Over-the-counter creams and antihistamines -- such as Caladryl lotion, hydrocortisone cream, or Benadryl -- can help with symptoms.
Try covering the rash with a mixture of baking soda and cool water.
Poison ivy is not contagious from person to person, but is spread when the oil from the plant is still on your skin and you touch other parts of your body or another person. You should be careful to look out for the plants when out in the woods or your garden, and wash your clothes in warm water when you come in from working outside.
If the rash covers a large portion of your body, or you experience fever, headache, nausea, painful rash or shortness of breath, you should contact your doctor to see if you may be having an allergic reaction to the poison ivy.

Kidney Drug May Be Beneficial In Treating Eczema

2006-03-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

Tailoring a powerful, immune-suppressing drug to individual patients may bring safe relief to adults and children afflicted with atopic eczema, British researchers report.
As reported by the BBC, The drug, called azathioprine, was first developed 40 years ago to help suppress organ rejection in kidney transplant recipients.
Docotrs soon realised it might help subdue painful eczema flare-ups, but the drug's effects on the immune system meant that it has only been used as a last resort, and only in adults.
Now, researchers at the University of Newcastle say they have matched doses of azathioprine to levels of a particular enzyme, called TPMT, in patients' blood.
In a study involving 63 patients, this tailored approach gave patients several months of sustained relief, without major side effects.
"We have shown for the first time that, if we can get the dose right, the safety of the drug improves significantly," researcher Dr Simon Meggitt, a consultant dermatologist, told the BBC.

Old Drug Becomes An Effective New Treatment For Eczema

2006-03-22T09:06:00.000-08:00

Following news earlier in the week that a British Skin Foundation (BSF) funded project in Dundee had achieved a breakthrough in eczema research, another BSF funded study has developed a new way to use a 40-year-old drug which has been found to be effective in the treatment of the commonest form of eczema.

The drug, called azathioprine, was originally developed in the 1960s for kidney transplant patients. A randomised clinical trial at Newcastle University involving 63 adult eczema patients found that by using a novel dosing technique, the drug worked as an eczema treatment in a significant number of cases when compared to a placebo.

Dr Simon Meggitt, a Consultant Dermatologist at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, who conducted the study with Professor Nick Reynolds at Newcastle University, said: "This trial was actually long over-due. Dermatologists had long suspected azathioprine was a useful treatment for atopic eczema, but when we planned the study, no-one had actually done a trial to determine whether or not it worked.

The new dosing technique works by calculating the amount of the drug to give according to how much of a certain enzyme the individual has in their body. Dr Meggitt explained: "What is interesting about azathioprine is that people have a genetically-determined way of eliminating the drug from the body, related to a drug-metabolising enzyme known as TPMT. By tailoring the dosage of the drug dependent upon the level of TPMT in each individual patient, for the first time we were able to minimise the side effects of the treatment, but without compromising its effectiveness."

Matthew Patey, Director of the British Skin Foundation (BSF), the charity that co-funded the research, said: "This is the second really promising breakthrough in eczema research this week – both of which were awarded grants by the British Skin Foundation. This kind of promising development illustrates why at the BSF we are so dedicated to raising funds for research into eczema and related skin disorders that blight so many people's lives. Achieving breakthroughs in the development of cures and treatments for skin disease can only be achieved through high quality research, and we hope to be able to continue funding this kind of valuable work."As many as 20% of children suffer from eczema. The physical and psychological impact that this can have on the sufferer's life cannot be underestimated.

And it isn't just the patients who suffer – the disease also affects their friends and family too. A good example is 18-month-old Josh, who has suffered from eczema for most of his life.

"His itchy and flaky skin keeps him awake and crying every night. His parents can't sleep either because they are desperately trying to ease his symptoms. The emolient creams they use while bathing Josh help, but the grease and mess have ruined his baby clothes and bed linen. This is exactly the kind of case that shows why the work of the BSF is so important in being able to fund vital research that can help eliminate patients' suffering."

"By dosing patients according to the levels of TPMT in their bodies, we didn't run into any major problems with side-effects, but the drug still worked even at a lower doses. So far, no other clinical trials have used TPMT levels in this way to individualise treatment", added Dr Meggitt. "We have shown for the first time that if we can get the dose right, the safety of the drug increases significantly.

"Azathioprine has applications in a number of diseases, including lupus and Crohn's disease, but the advantage of using a skin disease to assess the usefulness of tailored dosing, is that it is very easy to actually see the results, which are more difficult to measure in the case of other internal diseases", said Dr Meggitt.

All of the patients who took part in the three-month trial had previously had a number of different treatments, including ultraviolet radiation therapy. The results of the study showed a reduction in the expected side-effects of the drug, while at the same time maintaining its effectiveness. The study also suggested that the effects of treatment with azathioprine were relatively long-lasting, giving patients several months' reprieve from the symptoms of their condition.

The study was carried out by scientists at Newcastle University and funded by the British Skin Foundation and the Wellcome Trust.

SOURCE: British Skin Foundation

Eczema Caused By A Defective Gene

2006-03-20T08:03:00.000-08:00

SCIENTISTS have hailed as a major breakthrough the discovery of a defective gene that causes eczema and asthma.
An international team of researchers led by experts from Dundee University found that the gene is responsible for producing a protein that makes skin waterproof and keeps out infections.
In an Irish study, about two-thirds of children with eczema were found to have a defect in the gene and a study of Danish children found that more than 60 per cent with the mutated gene acquired the disease in the first few years of life.
A third study of children in Scotland found a "very strong association" between the gene and eczema and asthma.
The news, revealed in two academic papers today and next month in the journal Nature Genetics, was hailed as a "real step forward", by the National Eczema Society, which added: "Above all, it answers the age-old question asked by most eczema sufferers - 'why?'"
Another group said it held out the prospect of a treatment - or even a cure - with "truly life-changing possibilities" for people with the diseases. More than five million people in Britain suffer from asthma, and six million from eczema.
Until now, doctors could only treat the symptoms of eczema and the related dry skin condition ichthyosis vulgaris using ointments or anti-inflammatory drugs.
Now the gene defect that underlies most cases is known, scientists have a target and the Dundee team is already looking for drugs that will stimulate production of the protein, called filaggrin.
About five million people in the UK alone make only 50 per cent of the normal amount of filaggrin protein and have dry and flaky skin.
But one in 500 people, or about 120,000 in the UK, have both their copies of the filaggrin gene knocked out by mutations and have no filaggrin protein in the skin. They suffer a severe and persistent form of eczema, where the skin becomes infected and inflamed, causing terrible itching and flaking. Professor Irwin McLean, one of the lead scientists on the work at Dundee, along with Dr Frances Smith, told The Scotsman he was already in contact with a drug screening programme being set up at the university in the hope of finding a radical new treatment.
"Finding this major gene for atopic dermatitis [eczema] and asthma allows us for the first time to understand what goes wrong in the skin of these patients and paves the way for development of treatments or preventive measures," he said.
If too little or no filaggrin is produced, the skin is not an effective barrier, allowing moisture to escape from the body and foreign substances to get in.
Eczema is caused when foreign bodies enter the skin and are attacked by the immune system, causing inflammation of the skin.
It is thought the immune system can become primed to attack normally harmless material - usually kept out by the skin barrier - and that this causes asthma when foreign substances enter the lungs.
Prof McLean said analysing the filaggrin gene was "one of the toughest things we have ever done", a task that several top genetic laboratories around the world had given up on.
Matthew Patey, director of the British Skin Foundation, said: "It is extremely encouraging to see the ongoing results of this research, which indicate positive steps towards eliminating the suffering of eczema and related skin disorders."
'It really affects my everyday life. When it's bad I end up in hospital'
UP UNTIL she was ten, Jade Williamson spent her life wrapped head-to-toe in bandages with daily trips to hospital.
She was diagnosed with eczema when she was only six-months-old, and then at the age of six developed asthma. However, the 22-year-old from Rosyth has refused to let either condition get the better of her, and is studying at Lauder College to become a personal exercise trainer.
"It really affects everyday life - your life revolves around having it. If your eczema is bad and your asthma is bad, then you get depressed," she said.
"When it is bad I usually end up in hospital. My skin gets really infected and if you scratch it, it falls off. I've been hospitalised quite a few times. Nine weeks was the longest time."
The discovery of a gene that causes both asthma and eczema raises the prospect of a breakthrough new treatment, and she can hardly wait for the day when her life no longer revolves around either condition.

Factors That Can Affect Eczema

2006-03-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

Although the exact cause of eczema is unknown, it appears to be linked to the following internal and external factors:
Internal factors
A family history of eczema, asthma or hay fever (the strongest predictor) - if both parents have eczema, there is an 80 per cent chance that their children will too.
Particular food and alcohol (dairy and wheat products, citrus fruits, eggs, nuts, seafood, chemical food additives, preservatives and colourings).
Stress.
External factors
Irritants - tobacco smoke, chemicals, weather (hot and humid or cold and dry conditions) and air conditioning or overheating
Allergens - house dust mites, moulds, grasses, plant pollens, foods, pets and clothing, soaps, shampoos and washing powders, cosmetics and toiletries.

Current Clinical Trials for Eczema

2006-03-15T10:17:00.000-08:00

Clinical Trials: Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Alabama
Birmingham; Radiant Research - BirminghamEczema Clinical Research Study
California
Los Angeles; Impact Clinical TrialsHave you spotted a red, itchy rash on your scalp, arms or legs? It could be...Eczema.
Colorado
Denver; Weinberg Clinical Research Center at National Jewish Medical CenterDoes Your Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Interfere With Your Sleep?
New Jersey
New Brunswick; Clinical Research CenterIs your skin itchy and red? Are you searching for relief?
Ohio
Columbus; Radiant Research - ColumbusAtopic Dermatitis (Dry, itchy inflamed skin) rough on you?
Toledo; Toledo Center for Clinical Research (TCCR)Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema Research Study
Virginia
Charlottesville; University of VirginiaDiagnosed with ECZEMA?
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Eczema Tip: Stay Well Hydrated

2006-03-14T07:17:00.000-08:00

Dehydration is far more common and detrimental than most people think. Although many have heard of the extremes – the conditions that result in hospital visits – dehydration occurs on a gradient scale. Any departure from the ideal affects your general health and, therefore, the condition of your skin. Along with using a good shielding lotion to protect against environmental toxins and lock in your natural moisture, achieving and maintaining adequate hydration is vital to preventing or healing eczema.How does hydration work? The body overall is about 75 percent water, but the percentage in some parts of the body is higher – for example, the brain is 80 percent, and the blood is 92 percent. These percentages are the levels required for optimal functionality, and decreasing the percentages even in small increments causes symptoms. One study found that we begin to feel thirst when we are dehydrated by just one percent. At two percent we have trouble working, and at four percent lethargy sets in and we start to lose mental clarity. Even in the early stages, dehydration slows down the metabolism and causes problems with the digestive and circulatory systems, body and muscle aches and pains, weight gain, food cravings, and dry, itchy skin or eczema. Although the necessity of hydration is generally recognized in the medical community, some doctors tell patients that eight glasses per day of any type of liquid will suffice. Not true. Some fluids, such as alcohol, tea and coffee, are known to dehydrate – so drinking eight cups of coffee every day leaves you in a worse condition than if you had had nothing to drink at all. Another problem not well recognized or understood is how to get the water to the cells instead of simply being absorbed by the blood or eliminated. According to the latest research, this is a function of the cells themselves - they need to be able to absorb or ‘pull in’ the water. To do that, they need to have adequate amounts of organic minerals.Food is your best source of these minerals – specifically raw food, like the ingredients one would include in a salad. Fresh, organically grown food is best, since it is higher in nutrient content and is grown without pesticides and other harmful substances.So, if you’re suffering from eczema, here are your marching orders: drink eight glasses of water every day, eat plenty of raw vegetables, some raw fruit, and take an organic mineral supplement. That will hydrate your cells. Next, use a shielding lotion to keep the moisture locked in and the environmental toxins out, allowing your eczema to heal.

Milk May Trigger Eczema Flares

2006-03-14T07:15:00.000-08:00

Most North Americans grew up being told that milk builds healthy bones and teeth, but scientists have questioned the validity of this dictum for years. There is evidence that milk not only fails to live up to this promise, but it can even cause a host of medical conditions, including eczema.
In fact, eliminating milk and dairy from your diet, along with the use of a topical eczema treatment to alleviate the dry, itchy condition of the skin, is often just what the doctor orders. Although most of the studies have been done on children, from 1988 to 1993, over 1500 articles were published about milk in medical journals.
Dr. Robert M. Kradjian of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine culled these articles to omit inconclusive and irrelevant subjects and did a thorough study of the 500 articles remaining. Not one article referenced milk as the excellent food we have been led to believe.

In fact, highlighted in the reports were conditions that are known to cause and be indications of eczema - intestinal colic, intestinal irritation and bleeding, allergic reactions, and asthma. Many eczema sufferers also have these conditions, and elimination of their causes often handles the eczema.
According to Dr. Frank Oski, chief of pediatrics at John Hopkins School of Medicine, it is possible that 50 percent of all schoolchildren are allergic to milk. Other researchers think this estimate is too conservative. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that the frequency and severity of eczema and allergies are reduced for as long as five years when breast feeding mothers stop drinking cow’s milk for at least three months.
Even the late Dr. Benjamin Spock, guru of children’s health and long-time milk advocate, withdrew his support of cow’s milk for children in his 1998 edition of "Baby and Child Care." More recent studies are also finding that the promise of healthy bones and teeth, the main reasons we’ve been told we need milk, doesn’t have any basis in science.

In March 2005, Pediatrics published a review article stating that "scant evidence" has been found that milk and dairy products promote child and adolescent bone health. Eczema is caused by a combination of external and internal elements. A healthy gut is a major influence, as is the presence of allergies. Both are indicators of an overload of toxic substances.
In the gut, the ‘bad’ and ‘good’ bacteria are out of balance, and in the case of allergies, the body is telling you that whatever you’re having the reaction to needs to get out. Skin problems like eczema result from the body trying to expel these toxins. The results can be unsightly, and very uncomfortable – especially for a child – as anyone who has seen a child with red, sore rashes can attest.
Eliminating milk and other products that are known to cause intenstinal stress and allergic reactions is definitely called for. In addition to dietary changes, thousands of doctors are now recommending the use of a shielding lotion to relieve the symptoms and help the eczema heal quickly. The lotion provides a protective layer on the skin that keeps the moisture in, and protects the body from external eczema triggers.

Fish Eggs May Improve Eczema

2006-03-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

Salmon eggs and beauty care: who would ever think the two would meet?
Well, they have. It's a new health care product called Intra Fish.
Salmon workers found that enzymes in salmon eggs can help cure skin disorders like eczema. They also found that if has a beautifying affect that supposedly makes the skin look younger.
Intrafish is sold under the Meridian beauty label.

Clinical Trials Indicate In Eczema Treatment - Less Is Best

2006-03-06T10:40:00.000-08:00

Drug developer Corgentech Inc. said Monday that the lowest dose of its Avrina eczema treatment proved to be the most effective in an early- to mid-stage clinical trial.
The company achieved the major aim of the trial, which was to show if Avrina was safe and well-tolerated in a range of doses.
However, the company found that the lowest of three tested doses was the most effective in reducing combined eczema symptom scores after 22 days, even though the results were just shy of being statistically significant given the low number of patients observed.

Treating Eczema With Dermatitis-Ltd

2006-03-02T08:28:00.000-08:00

Studies indicate that Dermatitis-Ltd will improve the appearance of the various forms of eczema and seborrheic dermatitis.
The ingredients of Dermatitis-Ltd III are: zinc oxide, sodium chloride, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, iron oxide, copper oxide, and sulfur (sulfur is used externally only and is not to be confused with sulfa which is taken internally only). Dermatitis-Ltd does not contain any potentially irritating preservatives, such as methylparaben, propylparaben, and Quaternium-15, and contains no irritating fragrances. Dermatitis-Ltd has a pH of 7.0 which is the perfect pH balance to allow the skin to normalize itself and heal itself.

Eliminating Milk May Eliminate Eczema

2006-02-27T12:42:00.000-08:00

Most North Americans grew up being told to drink milk “for healthy bones and teeth”. Scientists have questioned the validity of this dictum for years, and have found evidence that milk not only fails to live up to this promise, it can even cause a host of medical conditions, including eczema. In fact, eliminating milk and dairy from your diet, along with a topical eczema treatment to alleviate the dry, itchy condition of the skin, is often just what the doctor orders.Milk has been the subject of medical studies for decades – although the majority have been done on children. From 1988 to 1993, over 1500 articles were published about milk in medical journals. Dr. Robert M. Kradjian of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine culled these articles to omit inconclusive and irrelevant subjects and did a thorough study of the 500 articles remaining. Not one article referenced milk as the excellent food we have been led to believe. In fact, highlighted in the reports were conditions that are known to cause and be indications of eczema - intestinal colic, intestinal irritation and bleeding, allergic reactions, and asthma. Many with eczema also suffer from these conditions, and elimination of their causes often results in elimination of the eczema.According to Dr. Frank Oski, chief of pediatrics at John Hopkins School of Medicine, it is possible that 50 percent of all schoolchildren are allergic to milk. Other researchers think this estimate is too conservative. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that the frequency and severity of eczema and allergies are reduced for as long as five years when breast feeding mothers stop drinking cow’s milk for at least three months. Even the late Dr. Benjamin Spock, guru of children’s health and long-time milk advocate, withdrew his support of cow’s milk for children in his 1998 edition of "Baby and Child Care."More recent studies are also finding that the promise of healthy bones and teeth, the main reasons we’ve been told we need milk, doesn’t have any basis in science. In March 2005, Pediatrics published a review article stating that "scant evidence" has been found that milk and dairy products promote child and adolescent bone health.Eczema is caused by a combination of external and internal elements. A healthy gut is a major influence, as is the presence of allergies. Both are indicators of an overload of toxic substances. In the gut, the ‘bad’ and ‘good’ bacteria are out of balance, and in the case of allergies, the body is telling you that whatever you’re having the reaction to needs to get out. Skin problems like eczema result from the body trying to expel these toxins. The results can be unsightly, and very uncomfortable – especially for a child – as anyone who has seen a child with red, sore rashes can attest. Eliminating milk and other products that are known to cause intenstinal stress and allergic reactions is definitely called for.

Improving Children's Eczema

2006-02-24T07:41:00.000-08:00

You can possibly play a role in reducing your child's risk of asthma, allergies and eczema – simply by investing in a good probiotic supplement for yourself and your baby.
Probiotics, or "good" bacteria found in food and supplement form, have been shown to play a positive role in immune regulation, the absorption of nutrients, and the treatment of diarrhoea in both children and adults.

Scientists are finding that probiotic supplementation before and after birth can possibly reduce the incidence of asthma, allergies and eczema in children.
These findings were presented to the local medical and pharmaceutical industry by Prof Bengt Björkstén, professor of Allergy Prevention and Paediatrics at the Karolinska Institut in Stockholm, in Cape Town on Friday.

The theory is simple: by ensuring a healthy microbial balance in the gut, the pregnant woman can boost the number of "good" bacteria present in other mucous membranes, such as the vagina. During childbirth, the infant (who has a completely sterile gut) is exposed to these good bacteria, which immediately start to colonise his or her gastrointestinal tract.
And this colonisation process seems to have long-term positive effects on a child's immunity – and his or her protection from allergies and asthma.

According to a theory known as the "hygiene hypothesis", babies who are born in sanitised hospitals and come home to sparkling clean homes may be more prone to develop allergies.
"It has been suggested that modern living is associated with too little microbial stimulation early in life and that allergic disease and autoimmune disease could be regarded as a consequence of a 'microbial deprivation syndrome'," Björkstén says.

Because children's bodies don't have to fight off as many bacteria as they did in the past, their immune systems start mistakenly attacking harmless substances, such as pet dander or pollen, causing allergic diseases.

Researchers hope to get more proof that, by giving the infant probiotics, his or her immune system is stimulated as it would be if the baby were exposed to bacteria in less clean surroundings.

Studies have shown that infants with atopic eczema improve with probiotic Lactobacilli.
This type of eczema affects up to 20% of the population and is associated with asthma and hay fever.

Research also suggests that by changing the gut microflora in early infancy with the help of Lactobacilli, the child's risk of developing atopic eczema at a later stage is also reduced.
What to doCurrently, there are only a few strains of bacteria that can be safely recommended as having beneficial, probiotic qualities.

Many studies have confirmed the safety of the Lactobacilli strains. More specifically, Lactobacillus reuteri has been shown to be safe and effective in children who are malnourished or born prematurely.

Another family of bacteria, the Bifidobacterium group, is also generally regarded as safe.
Keep the following in mind when you are purchasing probiotics:

Ask your pharmacist or doctor to recommend a good probiotic, paying particular attention to strains that have been shown to provide benefits.
Don't choose a product that only makes vague statements about AB cultures or good bacteria.
Make sure the product contains the right number of strains: the product must deliver at least 100 million colony-forming units per dose to be effective.

Eczema Scams

2006-02-22T07:48:00.000-08:00

There are a number of in-your-face scammers in the media preying on eczema-stricken folks who are desperate for relief. BEWARE!
1% HYDROCORTISONE CREAM PACKAGED WITH "SPECIAL" INGREDIENTS. The omnipresent ad is from the FreeDerm HC eczema/dermatitis cream people who call it eczema miracle. They present a slew of photographs illustrating their point.
When asked what distinguishes their product from others, they say: "The answer is the special "proprietary" combination of ingredients that are not found in any other product. [They are not lying here. When you load something as chock-full of fillers as these people have, no other cream out there has these identical ones.] These ingredients were specifically chosen by the pharmacist for their moisturizing qualities. [Here, they are lying. Except for the hydrocortisone and dimethicone, they were chosen for reasons of cosmetics manufacture, and to make the product last on the shelves a long time.] Even if you have become resistant to the healing effects of other eczema treatment creams, you will undoubtedly find relief with this product. [And the proof is... where?]"
Look at these special ingredients, then. They list them as: Deioninized water, Polawax; Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyeryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Methyl paraben, Propyl Paraben, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Benzylalkonium Chloride, Triethnolamine, and Citric acid. In addition it contains 1% hydrocortisone.
First of all, let us briefly note that these unscrupulous peddlers can’t even spell their own ingredients.
Now, let us examine these magical ingredients: Deionized water: water that has been filtered, usually by a reverse osmosis filter, with mineral impurities removed, commonly used in cosmetics Polawax: easy to use, emulsifying wax used commonly in cosmetics Cetyl alcohol: a fatty alcohol derived from palm oil; improves “feel” in creams and lotions Stearyl alcohol: a fatty alcohol used in much the same ways as cetyl alcohol Glyceryl stearate: commonly used emulsifier in cosmetics (emulsifiers make binding of oils and water possible) Dimethicone: a silicone oil used as ingredients of ointments and other preparations for topical application to protect the skin against water-soluble irritants; may irritate the skin Propylene glycol: a solvent and wetting agent; may cause rashes Methyl paraben: common preservative used in cosmetics and foods Propyl paraben: common preservative used in cosmetics; the parabens are skin irritants and used in common allergy patch tests Imidazolidinyl urea: a formaldehyde-releasing preservative; may cause an allergic reaction Benzalkonium chloride: a medical disinfectant, a preservative; corrosive, toxic - causes burns; harmful by inhalation, ingestion and through skin contact; may cause reproductive defects; may act as a mutagen Triethanolamine: is used as a pH balancer and stabilizer in cosmetic and industrial preparations; it is an irritant linked to contact dermatitis Citric acid: a weak organic acid found in tart fruits; used as a preservative; classified as a skin irritant Hydrocortisone 1%: an over the counter corticosteroid; anti-inflammatory
This at the price of $29.95 for 4 ounces, plus shipping and handling.
When you bother to compare it with the similar cream sold in your local drug store, you will find that you can do better with fewer of these "special" irritant fillers and a price about one sixth of what you would pay to these miserable lampreys. Don't help them laugh all the way to the bank!!!!
Oh and about the pictures... well of course 1% hydrocortisone works. Duh. Buy it at your corner drugstore for a few bucks minus the mutagens! :-) There are many other clones of this scam on the web. Avoid them all.
And please note: cortisone medications, while effective against eczema, can damage the skin permanently. 1% hydrocortisone is a weak preparation, yet it can cause problems too if used too long, too much, or on vulnerable skin of the face or of babies.

More on eczama scams can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/vyera/dyshidrosis/scams.html

DRY ITCHY ECZEMA SKIN

2006-02-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

There is an inherited tendency for the immune system to overreact to certain environmental factors, causing disruption of the skin's barrier function - inflammation, redness and itching.

The dermatologist 'People with atopic eczema often have drier, itchier skin,' Dr Mayou says. 'Initial treatment should be a moisturiser and a soap substitute. The second line of defence is to suppress the immune reaction with topical steroids. The newest one (no long-term trials have been done on it yet) is tacrolimus ointment (also known as Protopic), used when eczema hasn't responded to emollients and steroids. UV light is helpful. Avoid environmental allergens, such as pollen and fur.'

'I've found that most eczema sufferers are allergic to something. I run a food intolerance check, then eliminate identified allergens. To reduce inflammatory potential, increase your intake of omega-3 fats and decrease meat and milk, both high in arachidonic acid which promotes inflammation. Caffeine and stress also aggravate eczema.' Vitamin A cream in limited amounts helps to heal skin.

Facial Eczema May Be Rosacea

2006-02-15T08:51:00.000-08:00

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition involving inflammation of the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, or eyelids. It may appear as redness, prominent spider-like blood vessels, swelling, or skin eruptions similar to acne.
Source:
healthcentral.com

Popularly known as pyoderma faciale, the grouping of this disorder as a type of rosacea is premature. It is characterized by the sudden appearance of papules, pustules, and nodules, along with fluctuating and draining sinuses that may be interconnecting. The condition appears primarily in women in their 20s, and intense redness and edema ... may be prominent.
Source:
rosacea.org

In more advanced cases of rosacea, a condition called rhinophyma may develop. The oil glands enlarge, causing a bulbous, enlarged red nose and puffy cheeks. Thick bumps can develop on the lower half of the nose and near to the cheeks. Rhinophyma occurs less commonly in women than in men.
Source:
diagnose-me.com

Rosacea may be persistent and worsen over time, leading to permanent changes in appearance and affecting self-esteem. There is no known cure for rosacea, but the condition is treatable. Most cases can be controlled easily by avoiding factors that trigger flushing, using sun protection, and by keeping the body well hydrated.
Source:
shoppingwithease.com

Rosacea may be associated with enlargement of the nose from excess tissue, a condition known as rhinophyma. This may include thickening of the skin and irregular surface nodules, which in rare cases may ... develop in areas other than the nose.
Source:
rosacea.org

Rosacea-Ltd III does not allow mutation or continued growth of bacteria. Using Rosacea-Ltd III may reduce the need for antibiotics and help guard against resistant bacteria later since skin stays clean, toned, and in a better condition to naturally resist infection.
Source:
internationalrosaceafoundation.org

Tips For Dry Winter Skin

2006-02-14T07:20:00.000-08:00

During winter, when humidity is lowest, dry skin conditions are often at their irritating worst. Cold, dry conditions can make even normal skin itchy and flaky; for people with conditions such as eczema or psoriasis they can create even more problems. Since dry, irritated skin is more likely to get infected, it is important to take symptoms seriously and take action to reduce their severity.
Whether you are dealing with a simple dry skin problem, or something more complicated, your doctor or pharmacist may suggest one of the following remedies:
• Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer three to four times a day to maintain a fine film over the skin. Apply the moisturizer after you bathe or wash to help hold in the moisture from the water.
• Barrier creams, such as diaper rash ointments or petroleum jelly (like Vaseline), can help protect damaged skin and are especially useful for people who frequently have their hands in water. For very dry hands, put petroleum jelly on them and sleep with your hands in cotton-lined gloves.
• Think about changing your bathing habits. Frequent baths or showers may dry out your skin. Take short, lukewarm baths or showers then pat your skin dry and put a moisturizer on right away.
• In the bath, anti-itch preparations, including oatmeal and tar-based pine oil products, can help relieve itchy, dry skin. Don't use bath oils while you are in the bath, since it will make the tub slippery and you may fall. Put the oil on your skin after you get out of the tub.
• Itching that is not relieved by a moisturizer may be improved by using 1 percent hydrocortisone skin cream for a week. If this is still not helpful, your physician may need to prescribe stronger steroids or antihistamine pills. Don't use this type of a cream for more than one or two weeks, and avoid the face or genital area.
Skin that is red, warm, swollen or oozing may be infected and should prompt you to seek medical attention. Antibiotics are usually needed to treat infected skin.
Flaking, scaling and itching sometimes indicate specific medical conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis or other skin diseases. Your primary care physician, pediatrician or a dermatologist can help sort out dry skin from these more specific diagnoses.

Eczema Facts

2006-02-07T11:18:00.000-08:00

Eczema is a chronic skin disease in which the skin becomes itchy and inflamed, causing redness, swelling, cracking, weeping and scaling. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that one-fifth of all school-aged children have eczema, and 60 percent of these children will continue to have one or more symptoms into adulthood.

"While the physical symptoms of eczema are often quite painful, it's important not to ignore the emotional toll that this condition has on people," explained Dr. Lebwohl. "Oftentimes, patients will feel depressed because their condition won't go away and their self-esteem ultimately suffers as well."Until recently, topical corticosteroids have been the mainstay for treating eczema. Although these medications can be quite effective, they can cause a number of side effects including thinning of the skin, formation of dilated blood vessels, stretch marks and infection. When applied around the eyes, topical corticosteroids can cause cataracts and glaucoma. If enough of the steroid is absorbed into the body, affected children may experience suppressed growth.

Now, a new class of drugs called topical immunomodulators, or TIMS, has been developed. These steroid-free treatments are effective in treating eczema without the side effects found with using corticosteroids. Tacrolimus is the first FDA approved steroid-free treatment for eczema, and its results on patients have been quite dramatic. Pimecrolimus is another new topical immunomodulator that, although not yet approved by the FDA, has shown promising results in clearing eczema without the common side effects. "Topical immunomodulators have really revolutionized the treatment of eczema," said Dr. Lebwohl. "Patients find the ointments easy-to-use and the results, in some cases, are almost immediate. I think the quality of life of many patients and their families has been significantly improved."

In the meanwhile, here are some tips by Mayo Clinic Health Center to manage winter eczema:
Avoid scratching whenever possible.
Cover the itchy area with a dressing, if you can't keep from scratching it.
Trim nails and wear gloves at night.
Dress appropriately. Doing so may help you avoid excessive sweating.
Wear smooth-textured cotton clothing. This will help you avoid irritation.
Avoid other irritants: wool carpeting, bedding and clothes, harsh soaps and detergents.

_The American Academy of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic

Eczema Patients Concerned Over FDA Rulings

2006-02-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

People who know the torture of chronic eczema may have a tough choice ahead of them.
Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration ordered two of the most effective eczema drugs on the market, Elidel and Protopic, to carry a "black-box warning," the most serious type of warning in prescription drugs. There have been reports of cancer in 78 patients since the drugs were approved in 2000 and 2001. Animal tests have shown a cancer increase associated with the drugs, as well.
But steroids are the only other treatment available.
"Steroids work great, but they have side effects," said Dr. Maria Hordinsky, a professor and the chairwoman of the dermatology department at the University of Minnesota medical school. Steroids can cause thin and reddened skin, and stretch marks.
And they can cause long-term problems with the body's hormone system, she said, a real concern for children who get eczema.
No one knows what causes eczema, but it often runs in families. Immune cells called T cells work their way into the skin and release chemicals that make the skin itch.
"The skin itches like crazy," Hordinsky said. "People scratch, and then they get into an itch-scratch cycle. They can get staph infections and need antibiotics. So managing it is very important."
That's why both doctors and patients were ecstatic with the introduction of Protopic in 2000 and Elidel in 2001. They both suppress the body's ability to make T cells.
Now, what are all those eczema sufferers to do?
First of all, Hordinsky said, follow the FDA's advice in the black-box warning and try other treatments first, she said. Steroids are available in different concentrations, and they can solve the problem for most people. And those who need Protopic or Elidel should use them only on the problem areas, and should avoid using them long-term.
Last of all, she said, keep in mind that if there is a cancer risk, it's very low. There have been 78 cases of cancer, including skin and lymphoma, among 10 million people who have used the drugs. But no direct connection has been shown. And the animal tests that showed a cancer association were done with very high concentrations, higher than any human would use, she said.
Hordinsky was among the researchers involved in clinical trials of the drugs before they were approved by the FDA, but has no financial ties to the manufacturer, she said.

Relief for Eczema Winter Itch

2006-02-01T07:45:00.000-08:00

To relieve itchy, dry skin form eczema, find a moidturizer containing green tea, shea butter or jewelweed. These ingredients are all helpful in soothing and moisturizing the skin.