Eczema, often also called dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition. The most common type is atopic eczema, which manifests itself primarily as a dry, itchy rash.
Atopic eczema is most often seen in infants and children, and many children grow out of it. It also occasionally occurs in adults. Eczema is not dangerous or contagious, but it can cause discomfort and some distress, including social stress in children and employment difficulties in adults.
Etiology
Atopic eczema is an immune system disorder, and the exact cause is unknown. It may have a genetic predisposition and is associated with both allergies and asthma. Its sudden onset is usually caused by certain environmental factors around the body, such as certain fabrics, chemicals, perfumes, pets, dust, smoke, food, and stress.
Symptoms
Eczema symptoms are usually a rash that is extremely itchy and causes the skin to become red, swollen, flaky, burning, or form small blisters. If it continues to develop, the blisters will ooze and crust over. Eczema usually starts and heals relatively quickly. It can start suddenly with a rash of severe itching that worsens. Over time, the skin becomes thickened and continues to itch.
Treatment
Eczema cannot be cured and there are no specific medications, but its symptoms can be managed. The discomfort and rash of your child’s eczema flare-ups can cause family stress. The goal of treatment is to prevent flare-ups and, if they do occur, to prevent infection. Treatment includes avoiding environmental triggers whenever possible, skin care, and medication.
1. Moisturizing is very important, including during the inter-episode period, as follows.
(1) Apply a thick lotion or cream (e.g. Vaseline) to the skin;
(2) Do not use soap and use other substitutes;
(3) Use warm water for bathing or showering;
(4) Avoid wearing rough, irritating clothing such as wool;
(5) Avoid cold and dry air.
2, can use skin creams or ointments containing corticosteroids. Such medications can also be taken orally or injected in severe eczema outbreaks, but stopping them usually leads to a more severe rebound. Corticosteroids have more obvious side effects.
3. Topical immunomodulators can be used in children over 2 years of age to help control inflammation of the skin and reduce the immune response, and have fewer side effects than corticosteroids. However, the risk of long-term use of the drug is not clear, such as skin cancer.
4.Antihistamines can reduce the immune response especially night itching.
5.Immunosuppressants can be used to treat those very severe cases and can only be used for a short time due to serious side effects.
6.UV phototherapy can be used alone or in combination with complementary osteoporosis for children over 12 years old.
7. Antibiotics may be used if there is an infection.