Itching All Over

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The term eczema refers to a number of different skin conditions in which the skin is red and irritated and occasionally results in small, fluid-filled bumps that become moist and ooze. The most common cause of eczema is atopic dermatitis, sometimes called infantile eczema although it occurs in infants and older children.

Eczema is a general term encompassing various inflamed skin conditions. One of the most common forms of eczema is atopic dermatitis (or “atopic eczema“). Approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of the world population is affected by this chronic, relapsing, and very itchy rash at some point during childhood. Fortunately, many children with eczema find that the disease clears and often disappears with age.

Eczema also called as dermatitis, is a group of skin disorders. Atopic eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, infantile seborrhoeic eczema, adult seborrhoeic eczema, varicose eczema and discoid eczema are different types of eczema. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It mainly occurs among infants and small children. In more than 90% of cases, eczema is found to occur in children below 5 years of age. It is a non contagious disease.

Eczema Causes

The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it’s thought to be linked to an overactive response by the body’s immune system to a bacterium that normally lives on the skin or an irritant.

It is a genetic disease. It arises from interplay of multiple genes with external environmental factors. The more atopic genes that are present, the less environmental initiators are required to produce eczema.

Contact with the external trigger (allergen) causes the skin to become inflamed. The duration of the contact is not important. Eczema can develop on first contact (in days to weeks) or over time with repeated contact (in months to years).

Severe forms of eczema are caused by powerful allergic responses to external agents that cannot be eliminated from the environment.

Eczema could be aggravated by irritants like smoke, chemicals, detergents, solvents and so on. Even weather conditions could aggravate the condition. Excessive stress, heat and emotional stress also aggravates the symptoms of eczema.

Eczema Symptoms

Usually the first symptom of eczema is intense itching.

Affected areas usually appear very dry, thickened or scaly. In fair-skinned people, these areas may initially appear reddish and then turn brown. Among darker-skinned people, eczema can affect pigmentation, making the affected area lighter or darker.

The rash appears later. It is patchy and starts out as flaky or scaly dry skin on top of reddened, inflamed skin.

Painful cracks can develop over time.

Self Care at home

Apply an nonprescription steroid cream (hydrocortisone) along with anti-itching lotion (menthol/camphor, such as calamine). The cream must be applied as often as possible without skipping days until the rash is gone.

Clean the area with a hypoallergenic soap every day. Apply lubricating cream or lotion after washing.

Apply a mixture of 1 teaspoon camphor and 1 teaspoon sandalwood paste on the rashes. Apply nutmeg paste to the affected areas. Put natural vitamin E on the affected skin, it will relieve you of itching. Zinc taken orally and applied directly on the affected skin is effective. Both shark cartilage and lotion of blueberry leaves reduce inflammation. Use pine tar soap to wash the affected skin. Drink tomato juice daily, it will cure the symptoms in a few days.

Sunbathing early in the month is very beneficial. A light mudpack applied over the sites of the eczema is also helpful. In cases of acute eczema, cold compress or cold wet fomentations are beneficial.

Mash almond leaves in water and apply on the area, it will also help in the treatment of eczema.

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Sunburn is a burn on the skin and a type of skin disorder. It results from overexposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun. The consequence of this burn is inflammation of the skin. Injury can start within 30 minutes of exposure.

Every person, whatever skin colour, at some stage in his life will become sunburned, but light-skinned people are more prone to it. Sunburn can also result from overexposure to sun tanning lamps and tanning beds.

Although seldom fatal, sunburn can be disabling and cause quite a bit of discomfort.

Sunburn symptoms:

Minor sunburn will result in mild redness, itching, rashes. Touching that area can be painful.

Sunburn in a light-skinned person may occur within 15 minutes of exposure to sun. Pain reaches its peak 6 to 48 hours after exposure.

Severe symptoms include skin burning and blistering, dehydration and infection.

Swelling in the skin with the legs being the most common.

Skin peeling occurs 3-8 days after exposure.

Other symptoms include – chill, fever, nausea, vomiting, shock and loss of consciousness.

Medical treatment is must in such cases.

Sunburn consequences:

- Temporary disability

- Malignant skin cancer in many cases.

- Premature ageing and wrinkling of skin with appearance of age spots.

- Eye cataracts and in extreme cases blindness also.

- Death in many cases

Who all need to take special precaution against sunburn:

- Light-skinned people are at the highest risk of sunburn as compared to darker counterparts.

- Blue-eyed people or those with red or blond hair get sunburn easily.

- People under certain specific medications such as diuretics, tetracycline, birth control pills, tranquilizers, and anti-depressants.

- People with pigment disorders such as albinism, vitiligo because the lack of melanin in their skin makes them very susceptible to harmful UV rays.

- Certain people who inherit hypersensitivity to cancer causing effects of ultraviolet rays and are largely vulnerable to skin damage. So check out on family history.

- Individuals engaged in certain specific jobs like gardening, fishing, swimming etc. where there is prolonged exposure to sun rays.

Treatment of Sunburn:

Treatment starts at home.

- Cool the burn with a wet cloth or take a light shower with cool and not cold water.

- Do not scrub your skin and avoid any sort of soap, bath salt or oil.

- Use a sunburn remedy easily available in any drug store preferably one that contains aloe Vera. No petroleum jelly in the first 48 hrs, as it retains heat.

- If you are having blisters, bandage the area so as to avoid any sort of infection.

- In addition, drink plenty of water and other fluids to prevent dehydration.

- Relax and once at ease, seek medical help to further ease discomfort incase of a severe sunburn.

- If there is uncontrollable pain, blistering; and you are running high temperature with nausea, vomiting, immediately consult a doctor.

- You can expect to get relief in 4-7 days. There might be skin peeling accompanied by itching. Just bear it. Certain pain relieving medications like ibuprofen, aspirin might help.

Watch out for any skin infection while your blister is healing. Signs of infection include:

- Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the blister.

- Red streaks extending away from the blister.

- Drainage of pus from the blister.

- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin.

- Fever.

Get medical help immediately if

- Sunburn has formed blisters and is extremely painful.

- Person shows signs of confusion.

- Nausea and vomiting.

- Development of allergies.

- Headache, or a feeling of faintness.

- Signs of dehydration.

- Signs of skin infection.

- Facial swelling due to a sunburn.

Prevention from Sunburn:

- Avoid going out in the sun between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when UV rays are strongest. If at all necessary, go out with proper precautions.

- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

- Use a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or more while going out. If out for longer duration, apply sunscreen after every 3-4 hrs. Use waterproof sunscreen while swimming.

- Use ultraviolet protected sunglasses to save your eyes. You can also use a hat.

- Dress properly and protectively while going out. Wear full sleeves dresses, and cotton ones that promote proper ventilation.

- If under any sort of medication, be aware of its side effects because many types of medicines react badly to sun-exposure. Most likely to cause sun-sensitivity are antibiotics and acne medicines.

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After winter recedes and the sun comes back out to shine, it is easy to only view the positives of the change of season. Yet, as the weather heats up and people head to the beach, we are reminded of the negatives that come with summer, the extreme heat and humidity and most of all sunburn. It is imperative to note severe sunburn symptoms and seek medical attention if you have them. Medical symptoms of severe burns consist of: headaches, severe blistering and burning, dizziness, and nausea. The average sunburn can be prevented by following a few simple steps before going out:

1.) Wear sunblock (at least SPF 15, and make sure to re-apply every 2-3 hours)

2.) Have a watch to indicate how long you have been in the sun

3.) Wear a large brimmed hat or visor

Sunburns are easier to get at solar noon when shadows are at their lowest density. Also, it is easier to acquire sunburns in areas closer to the equator. Skin may be reddened within thirty minutes of exposure if it is not treated properly before a person goes out into the sun. UV radiation can cause sunburns, as well as tanning moderately.

To treat sunburns after developing them, and to prevent blistering, use aloe Vera, tomato slices, or cool, damp cloths. Chocolate is known to have certain components that help skin to heal faster, so eating a fair portion of it before tanning is helpful as well. Lotion skin frequently to prevent peeling. When choosing the strength of a sunblock to purchase, choose one that is at least SPF 15. SPF 15 blocks at least 93% of sunburns. If you have a small child or a baby, make sure to watch them carefully and keep them out of any direct sunlight. The moment you notice their skin becoming pink, get them out of the sun. Apply sunblock on their skin at least twenty minutes before they go outside and make sure to re-apply sunblock every two to three hours- especially if they have been sweating or swimming. Regularly wrapping your child in a cool, damp cloth also helps to soothe the pain. Use oatmeal or baking soda in a bath to reduce the pain of blistering. Make sure to replace your sunscreens every year as they lose their potency over the course of time. If you think your sunburn is severe, and you may need additional help, contact your local practitioner, and as always, drink a lot of water and stay hydrated during the season. This will help your body to heal sooner and your summer vacation to be more of a vacation rather than a pain.

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Sunburn is the injury to the skin, with erythema, tenderness, and sometimes blistering, following excessive exposure to sunlight. Inflamed state of the skin caused by being out in the sun too long. Very dangerous and causes skin cancer. It is characterized by redness of the skin caused by exposure to the rays of the sun, get a sunburn by overexposure to the sun. A sunburn is a burn to living tissue such as skin or leaves produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun’s rays. A similar burn can be produced by overexposure to other sources of UV such as from tanning lamps, or occupationally, such as from welding arcs.

The best thing you can do to soothe those burns is to take distilled vinegar and mix in 3 parts vinegar to 1 part cool water. Use a spray bottle and mist it on her burns.

Keep a large bottle of aloe very gel in the fridge for just such things. Apply as often as necessary. Cool baths will help. There isn’t much that will stop the pain for long

A home remedy such as taking a very cold shower and putting vinegar on the water will help alleviate the sunburn. Oatmeal paste obtained from boiling oatmeal soothes the pain.

There are over the counter sprays for sun burn but I’ve found vinegar cools and relieves the pain. Use cotton ball and dab on sunburn. Old time remedy but has always worked for me.

Use cool cloths on sunburned areas.

Take frequent cool showers or baths.

Apply soothing lotions that contain aloe vera to sunburned areas. Topical steroids (such as 1% hydrocortisone cream) may also help with sunburn pain and swelling.

Do not use the cream on children younger than age 2 unless your doctor tells you to. Do not use in the rectal or vaginal area in children younger than age 12 unless your doctor tells you to.

A sunburn can cause a mild fever and a headache. Lie down in a cool, quiet room to relieve the headache. A headache may be caused by dehydration, so drinking fluids may help.

If it’s first degree (no blistering), aloe gel can be used for pain relief and to keep your skin moisterized. Dermaplast (a spray-on form of benzocaine) can also be used to relieve pain.

If a burn is second degree (blisters), you should seek medical attention. The reason is that a sunburn typically covers a large surface area. You will need an ointment called silver sulfadiazine. It relieves pain and prevents infection (you need a prescription for it). Burns are extremely susceptible to infection.

The paraffin imitates the natural oils, creating a seal stopping water leaving the body and reduces pain by protecting sensitised nerves. Both of these factors improve healing.

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Eczema is a form of dermatitis , or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. There are different types of dermatitis, and the disorder can have many causes and occur in many forms. Generally, dermatitis describes swollen, reddened and itchy skin. Approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of the world population is affected by this chronic, relapsing, and very itchy rash at some point during childhood. Fortunately, many children with eczema find that the disease clears and often disappears with age. In general, atopic dermatitis will come and go, often based on external factors. Although its cause is unknown, the condition appears to be an abnormal response of the body’s immune system .

People with eczema often have a family history of the condition or a family history of other allergic conditions, such as asthma or hay fever. Eczema might look different in different persons, and may occur in different parts of the body to different person. In adults, eczema most often develops on the hands and elbows, and in “bending” areas such as the inside of the elbows and back of the knees. In young children, eczema most often develops on the elbows, knees, face, neck, and scalp.

It is a disorder of the skin like psoriasis and it is related to malfunctions of the immune system. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a mild inflammation of the skin. It may occur at any time at infancy, later in childhood, or even an adult can suffer from it.

Symptoms of eczema may include red, itchy skin and sores that ooze and crust over. One out of ten children develops eczema, but more than half of them lose it by the time they reach their teens. It is a chronic inflammation of skin categorized by scaly and itching rashes. Dermatitis is a common condition that isn’t life-threatening or contagious. But, it can make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. A combination of self-care steps and medications can help you treat dermatitis.

Causes of Eczema

In most cases there is a familial predisposition. Atopy ( allergic rhinitis , asthma and hay fever ) is the term doctors use to describe this predisposition. However, the environment plays a significant role as well (such as heat in the summer and dry winters). There are two types of eczema. Atopic eczema is thought to be a hereditary condition . People with atopic eczema are sensitive to allergens in the environment which are harmless to others.

In atopic eczema there is an excessive reaction by the immune system. This type of eczema can worsen after eating certain foods or after being exposed to other allergens such as pollen or dust. Atopic eczema can be a long-term condition. Contact dermatitis is the most common form of the condition and is often the result of an allergic reaction after touching something. This type of eczema can be caused by many irritants including feathers, metals, wool, plants and animal hair, soaps and detergents, bubble bath, cosmetics, fabric dyes, etc.

Symptoms of Eczema

1. Itchy blisters

2. Itching

3. Redness on skin

4. Dry and flaky skin

5. Inflammation on skin

6. Rough and thickened skin.

Treatment of Eczema

1. Avoid frequent use of soaps, hot water, and other cleansing procedures (especially if you have a dry skin type) that tend to remove natural oil from the skin.

2. Topical corticosteroids , reduce inflammation in the skin and are usually safe and very effective in curing eczema when used correctly. Mild corticosteroids are generally used for children and on the face and flexures, eg crease of the elbow, behind the knees etc.

3. A very common treatment for treating eczema involves – applying lotions, creams, or ointments to keep the skin as moist as possible.

4. The use of immunosuppressant medicines , may be tried to bring the inflammation of skin under control.

5. Gamolenic acid (evening primrose extract) is an alternative remedy sometimes used to treat eczema. They increase the level of essential fatty acid.

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• Dermatitis Causes Symptoms Information With Treatment
• Eczema Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
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• Atopic Dermatitis, and Other Types of Eczema