Itching All Over

Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent or recurring skin rashes characterized by redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, with possible crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration sometimes characterize healed lesions, though scarring is rare.

The most common types of eczemas are:

* Atopic eczema (aka infantile e., flexural e., atopic dermatitis) is thought to be hereditary, and often runs in families whose members also have hay fever and asthma. Itchy rash is particularly noticeable on face and scalp, inside of elbows, behind knees, and buttocks. Experts are urging doctors to be more vigilant in weeding out cases that are in actuality irritant contact dermatitis. It is very common in developed countries, and rising.

* Contact dermatitis is of two types: allergic (resulting from a delayed reaction to some allergen, such as poison ivy or nickel), and irritant (resulting from direct reaction to, say, a solvent). Some substances act both as allergen and irritant (e.g. wet cement). And some substances cause a problem after sunlight exposure, bringing on phototoxic dermatitis.

About three fourths of contact eczema are of the irritant type, which is the most common occupational skin disease. Contact eczema is curable provided the offending substance can be avoided, and its traces removed from ones environment.

* Xerotic eczema is dry skin that becomes so serious it turns into eczema. It worsens in dry winter weather, and limbs and trunk are most often affected. The itchy, tender skin resembles dry cracked river bed. This disorder is very common among the older population. Ichthyosis is a related disorder.

* Seborrheic dermatitis also known as cradle cap in infants and dandruff causes dry or greasy scaling of the scalp and eyebrows. Scaly pimples and red patches sometimes appear in various adjacent places. In newborns it causes a thick, yellow crusty scalp rash called cradle cap which seems related to lack of biotin, and is often curable.

Eczema diagnosis is generally based on the appearance of inflamed, itchy skin in eczema sensitive areas such as face, chest and other skin crease areas. However, given the many possible reasons for eczema flare ups, a doctor is likely to ascertain a number of other things before making a judgment.

Dermatitis severely dries out the skin. Keeping the affected area moistened can promote healing and retain natural moisture. This is the most important self-care treatment that one can use in atopic eczema.

The use of anything that may dry out the skin should be discontinued and this includes both normal soaps, dish soaps, detergents and bubble baths that remove the natural oils from the skin.

The moistening agents are called ‘emollients’. The rule to use is: match the thicker ointments to the driest, flakiest skin. Light emollients like Aqueous Cream may dry the skin if it is very flaky.

Emollient bath oils should be added to bath water and then suitable agents applied after patting the skin dry. Generally twice daily applications of emollients work best and whilst creams are easy to apply, they are quickly absorbed into the skin and so need frequent re-application.

Ointments, with their lesser water content, stay on the skin for longer and so need fewer applications but they must be applied sparingly if to avoid a sticky mess.

Disclaimer: This information on eczema is presented as information only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you or someone you know suffers from eczema, consult a professional for the latest treatment options available.

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is included.

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Skin Rash is a type of red bump that forms on your body. There are many reasons for the cause of skin rash. This word is freely used in normal language to denote a number of skin conditions.

Skin Rash Types

Most commonly occurring skin rash types are:

* Non-infected scaly patches on the skin.

* Red, itchy patches or bumps all over the skin.

* Scaly patches on skin caused by fungal or bacterial infection.

Skin rashes are rarely categorized as dangerous, but still warrant medical attention. Self-diagnosis for skin rashes should not be done. Proper evaluation of the skin rash type requires a doctor visit. The following list of skin rash types may help you to categorize the condition.

Non infected scaly patches on the skin:

Scaly and itchy skin rash type usually stands for a condition known as eczema.

Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. “Dermatitis” means skin inflammation. “Atopic” refers to hereditary diseases. This skin rash type is normally hereditary which often starts in childhood with symptoms like scaly patches on the arms, legs, scalp and torso.

Atopic dermatitis may spread to inner elbows and knees during the teenage. Adults are affected by atopic dermatitis on the genitals, around the eyelids, on the hand and all over the body as well. These diseases may include hay fever, asthma and atopic dermatitis.

During atopic dermatitis, the skin turns extremely itchy and inflamed which may result in redness, swelling and cracking. Atopic dermatitis affects off and on for no apparent reason. It is at its worst in winter months, when the air becomes cold and dry.

Contact Dermatitis

The skin rash type caused due to contact with a specific material, which may cause allergy to the skin is know as contact dermatitis. For example poison ivy and jewelry containing nickel causes reactions. Only the touched part is affected by contact dermatitis.

Other Non-infected Scaly Patches

The other kinds of skin rash types are scaly rashes. Psoriasis is also a hereditary condition. Psoriasis affects the knees, elbows and pityriasis rosea, which forms scaly rashes on the chest and back and generally disappears in a month. Xerosis or very dry skin, may appear as rash during the cold, dry months of the year.

Red, itchy patches or bumps all over the skin:

Virus or allergy causes this form of skin rash type.

Allergic drug rash

Allergic drug skin rashes are the skin rashes, which are caused due to drug allergy. They start in about two weeks of a new medication. It is very doubtful that a medicine which has been prescribed for a few months or years to cause a reaction. There is no specific test to prove whether a skin rash is allergic as a result of which doctors recommend stopping a suspected drug to see the results.

Viral Skin Rash

Viral infections of the skin like herpes mostly occur on one part of the body, viral rashes also occur all over the body and are symmetrical. These viral rashes usually last about a week and vanish on their own.

Other Red, Itchy Patches Or Bumps

Urticaria or Hives are red welts that are itchy. They appear and disappear on different body parts. Most people use the term “skin rash” to describe the conditions of pimples or rosacea on the facial skin, because of the vagueness of the term. They certainly do not fall into any skin rash types.

Scaly patches on skin caused by fungal or bacterial infection:

Bacterial infections

The most common skin rash type caused by bacterial infection is impetigo. Impetigo is caused by strep germs and is more common in children. This again is not due to poor hygiene.

Fungal infections

Fungal infections are common but not as frequent as rashes in the eczema category. Hygiene is not the cause for fungal infections as clean people are also prone to them. Fungal infections are not contagious. The fungal infection skin rash type is not caught from animals, nor is it transmitted in gyms, showers or pools.

more posts of interest:

• Skin Rash – Part 1
• Eczema – Simplified Guide To Eczema
• What You Should Know About Eczema
• Atopic Dermatitis, and Other Types of Eczema
• A Short Classification of Eczema

Contact dermatitis is a physical reaction of the skin to certain allergens or substances that potently cause allergies or reactions.

The skin infection is brought about by the effects on the skin of certain irritants.

There are basically four kinds or classifications of contact dermatitis that are usually diagnosed by doctors and dermatologists. These are irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), photocontact dermatitis (PCD) and contact urticaria.

Those types or classification of contact dermatitis can be hardly identified and distinguished by ordinary people, but the nature and cause of the skin infection can be determined through them.

A trivial fact about contact dermatitis is that in the United States, most recorded and diagnosed cases occur more in adults than children and the elderly.

Causes of contact dermatitis

Various allergens or allergy-causing substances can be cited for the onset of contact dermatitis. But reported cases of such skin infection points out to several factors or things that trigger the reaction.

The most common sources of contact dermatitis allergens are soaps and perfumes. It is because the use of such substances is somehow inevitable that make the problem hard to contain.

Contact dermatitis can also be caused by your skins reaction to drool, to detergents, to several allergy-causing foods and to lotions especially those with harsh ingredients.

Some plants are also identified to produce enzymes that may lead to the onset of contact dermatitis. Among these plants are poison ivy.

There are also about 3,000 chemicals that are identified to cause contact dermatitis. Among them are those that are based on common metals like mercury, chrome and nickel.

Some cosmetics can also irritate the skin and trigger the appearance of contact dermatitis manifestation in the skin. Permanent hair dyes, eye shadows, lipstick, clothing dyes, sunscreens and nail polishes are the identified cosmetic lines that cause such skin infection.

Manifestations of contact dermatitis

Several symptoms are pointed to the onset of contact dermatitis. However, it should be noted that for different individuals, the symptoms may vary. To be sure, further advice and check up from a dermatologist should be obtained.

Contact dermatitis occurs when there is swelling or mild redness in the skin. The appearance of the infected spot could clearly not be mistaken for common insect bites.

There is also blistering in the affected skin area, as well as itching. It is surely contact dermatitis when there is a temporary thickening or scaling in the infected skin portion.

Treatment and prevention

To treat contact dermatitis, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology advises people diagnosed that have the skin infection to do the following simple, yet effective remedies.

- Wash thoroughly the infected skin part with soap and ample water. Immediately do this at the initial appearance of symptoms.

- Throw away or carefully wash all clothing and objects that have come into contact or touched plants or chemicals that contain contact dermatitis allergens.

- Relieve and soothe skin inflammation or the infected part with a cold compress especially if the blisters break or crack.

- If the symptoms show severity, do not hesitate to consult a physician or dermatologist.

Baths using lukewarm water are also known to help soothe and rapidly control the skin infection.

As for the prevention, the best way is to avoid all identified allergens.

more posts of interest:

• What To Do When Infected With Contact Dermatitis – Part 1
• Are You A Victim Of Occupational Eczema?
• Eczema – Simplified Guide To Eczema
• What is the Right Treatment for Contact Dermatitis?
• Contact Dermatitis Treatment

Skin Problem- Eczema

Eczema is a kind of Skin Inflammation. Inflammation of skin is called dermatitis. All kinds of dermatitis are classified under the common term eczema. Though Atopic Dermatitis is commonly used as a synonym of eczema, there are many other dermatitis conditions that are included in the diseases known as eczema. Let us take a quick look.

Skin Problem- Atopic Dermatitis

The most common eczema is known as Atopic dermatitis. It is a genetic problem that causes red rashes with blisters that itch. Atopic dermatitis is triggered by allergens. Those who suffer from this problem have to identify the allergen that trigger Atopic dermatitis in them and stop using or eating those products. Once Atopic dermatitis flares up, it may need treatment with antibiotics and steroids.

Skin Problem- Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Irritant Contact Dermatitis is caused due to contact with an irritant. The contact need not be for a very brief period. Prolonged contact can cause this dermatitis in many people though the material in contact is as neutral as water. Not everyone gets this dermatitis with every product. You may get it, but your friend may not.

Skin Problem- Allergic Contact Dermatitis

This kind of dermatitis is caused by allergens that come in contact with skin and cause inflammation. Nickel and latex are common examples. Poison Ivy is another common allergen. Again as with irritant Contact Dermatitis, you may be allergic, your friend need not be.

Whenever you get a skin rash for which you are able to think about a reason, think about eczema and contact your doctor.

This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to be a medical advise and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this article.

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• Skin Rash | Skin Rashes | Skin Rash Types | Skin Rash Cures
• Eczema Test Your Knowledge About Atopic Dermatitis
• Eczema Treatment: Take Care to Prevent Itching With Moisturisers
• Skin Rash – Part 1
• Eczema- Test Your Knowledge About Atopic Dermatitis

Prior to selecting a product to treat your rash it is important to determine what type of rash you might be experiencing and what may have caused it. Rash, otherwise known as dermatitis, can be caused by several factors. The most common types of rash experienced include: atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, hand dermatitis, and chapped skin. An allergic reaction to medications often starts in the abdominal area and spreads over the back and then hits the arms, legs, and face. You can develop an allergic drug reaction immediately after the first dose or even up to 7 days or more later.

Atopic dermatitis is often a clinical manifestation of an alleric reaction or disease. It often is characterized by itching, red and raised vesicles, severely dry skin, and some oozing can occur. Atopic dermatitis is not contagious and can be due to soaps, pollens, chemicals, molds, dust, temperature changes, and even emotional changes. This is different than contact dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis is most often caused by contact with an irritant. The best example of this is contact with poison ivy or poison oak. It can also occur when you switch laundry detergents (i.e. many people have issues with detergents containing bleach). Contact dermatitis exhibits itchy skin, hives (red, raised wheals as in the case of poison ivy), blisters, ulcers, and dry, thick fissured skin. It may also show as an unusual pattern of lesions that have sharp margins and angles or in straight lines.

Non-drug treatments include: avoidance-stay away from what you think may cause the rash; Avoid things that may enhance the reaction such as tight clothing, hot temperatures, and humidity; bathe/shower daily if possible; for oozing lesions you can apply lukewarm water compresses for 20 minutes up to 4-6 times daily; and don’t scratch!

There are several over-the-counter drug measures that may be used. For a whole body rash a bath in a colloidal oatmeal bath (Aveeno) or even a baking soda bath will help to decrease itching and redness. Hydrocortisone cream can be used for open or oozing lesions. Do not use ointment on these types of lesions because the ointment will prevent the oozing from going anywhere and it may cause an infection. Ointment can be used on dry, scaly, itchy skin. Hydrocortisone comes in 0.5% and 1% ointments and creams. Start with the 0.5% first and apply up to 3 times daily for no more than 7 days. If the rash continues it is time to consult a physician or nurse. Oral medications include antihistamines. Loratadine (Claritin or Alavert) is a non-drowsy antihistamine. One tablet of 10mg taken once daily can help to alleviate some of the itching symptoms. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can also be taken, but does cause drowsiness and urinary retension (especially in older males).

The most important thing to remember is that if the rash is extensive or is accompanied by shortness of breath, throat swelling, or chest pain it is important to get to a physician right away or dial 911. Otherwise, if the rash continues for longer than 10 days it is time to set up an appointment.

Reference: The Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, 12th Edition.

more posts of interest:

• Skin Rash – Part 1
• Skin Rash | Skin Rashes | Skin Rash Types | Skin Rash Cures
• Eczema – Simplified Guide To Eczema
• Eczema: Symptoms and treatment
• What You Should Know About Eczema