Eczema is a major dermatological disease. Although it is not a life-threatening disease, it is easily recurring and itchy, and it has a serious impact on the lives of patients and their families. One of the questions that patients often ask is “Can eczema be cured”. The current level of medicine is not yet able to cure eczema, but it is possible to control the rash and ensure a good quality of life. One of the secrets is “moisturizing and emollient”. 1. Why do people with atopic dermatitis/eczema need to “moisturize”? Although it is called “eczema”, most people with eczema have dry skin and a weak skin barrier. Look at the following pictures, various types of eczema, growing in different parts of the eczema will exist dry skin performance: 2, why eczema patients are prone to dry skin problems? There are some eczema patients who are born with dry skin! For example, atopic dermatitis, the most common of eczema-like diseases. As early as a few decades ago, doctors observed that most patients with atopic dermatitis often showed dry skin, so “dry skin” was listed as a major criterion in the diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis. However, at that time, we did not know that there was a direct link between dry skin and the development of atopic dermatitis. In recent years, it has been found that about 30%-50% of patients with atopic dermatitis have mutations in the gene of a protein (filoprotein) in the epidermis, and the mutations cause a decrease in the content of filoprotein in the epidermis, which in turn leads to structural damage of the stratum corneum and abnormal content of lipids in the stratum corneum, which is the most important moisture barrier in the outer layer of the skin, so the skin’s ability to retain water decreases and dryness, flaking and even itching occur. symptoms. In addition to dry skin all over the body, people with the filoprotein mutation also have palmaris (increased and disorganized skin texture on the palms and soles of the feet), ichthyotic flaking of the skin on the extremities (ichthyosis), and peripapillary keratosis (also called “chicken skin”). However, there are some patients who do not have mutations in the filoprotein gene, so why do they also have dry skin problems? The answer is simple: modern lifestyle is to blame. In recent decades, the use of water for personal cleansing has increased significantly, and various cleansing products have emerged in large quantities, which have destroyed the normal sebum film and pH value of the skin while washing away the dirt on the skin surface; the use of various air-conditioning and heating equipment in the indoor environment has created a comfortable living and working environment, but at the same time, it also causes the air humidity to decrease, thus aggravating the loss of skin moisture. Industrial development brings environmental damage, the thinning of the ozone layer leads to increased ultraviolet radiation, PM2.5 particles in atmospheric pollution and so on, all of which will cause skin barrier damage, and the skin’s ability to retain water will be reduced. Therefore whether it is natural dry skin, or dry skin caused by lifestyle and environmental factors, is one of the important reasons for the aggravation or flare-up of eczema, moisturizing and emollient is the root of eczema prevention eczema recurrence. Six benefits of using moisturizing emollients for eczema patients Some patients with mild atopic dermatitis/eczema can get complete relief from eczema by using only adequate amounts of moisturizing emollients. For patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis/eczema, the use of adequate moisturizing emollients can reduce the use of topical anti-inflammatory medications (such as the much talked about hormone creams); intolerable itching is a common symptom in patients with atopic dermatitis/eczema, in addition to medications, moisturizing emollients are also an effective way to relieve itching; eczema is prone to recurrence and is distressing, studies have found that regular long-term use of moisturizing The study found that regular long-term use of moisturizing emollients can effectively reduce eczema recurrence. Atopic dermatitis is an eczema associated with genetic allergies, and regular use of moisturizers after birth can significantly reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis/eczema in babies raised by allergic parents; long-term use of moisturizers in eczema patients can keep the skin moisturized and smooth, improving its dry, coarse appearance.