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Eczema and Skin Conditions
We’ve all heard about eczema. Do we really know what eczema is? And why so many young children are suffering with it?
Definition...
Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a group of skin conditions that can affect all age groups. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, while in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. Although it sometimes look very unpleasant, eczema is not contagious.
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If you have a child or grandchild who suffers
with eczema consider the benefits of simply switching to soaps that
are chemical free.
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The causes of eczema are numerous and depend upon the particular type of eczema that a person has. Atopic eczema is believed to be a hereditary condition, genetically linked. It is proposed that people with atopic eczema are sensitive to allergens in the environment which are harmless to others. In atopy there is an excessive reaction by the immune system producing inflamed, irritated and sore skin.
Other types of eczema are caused by irritants such as chemicals and detergents, allergens such as nickel, and yeast growths. In later years eczema can be caused by a blood circulatory problem in the legs. The causes of certain types of eczema remain to be explained, though links with environmental factors and stress are being explored.
Treatments:
Moisturizing is the most important self-care treatment one can undertake in atopic eczema. The skin is severely dried out by the dermatitis; keeping the area moistened can promote healing and retain the skin’s natural moisture. The use of products that tend to dry out the skin or that remove the natural oils from the skin should be discontinued.
The first and primary recommendation is that people suffering from eczema shouldn’t use detergents of any kind unless absolutely necessary. Current medical thought is that people wash too much and that eczema sufferers should use cleansers only when water is not sufficient to remove dirt from skin.
Most recommendations use the terms “detergents” and “soaps” interchangeably and tell eczema sufferers to avoid both. However, detergents and soaps are not the same and are not equally problematic to eczema sufferers. Detergents increase the permeability of skin membranes in a way that soaps and water alone do not. Sodium lauryl sulfate, the most common household detergent, has been shown to increase penetration of the skin by other substances.
The use of detergents in recent decades has increased dramatically, while the use of soaps began to decline when detergents were invented, and leveled off to a constant in the 1960’s.
Unfortunately there is no one agreed-upon best kind of cleanser for eczema sufferers. Different clinical tests, sponsored by different personal product companies, not surprisingly tout various brands as the most skin friendly – based on specific properties of various products and different underlying assumptions as to what really determines skin friendliness. The terms “hypoallergenic” and “doctor tested” are not regulated and no research has been done to show that products labeled “hypoallergenic” are in fact less problematic than any others.
Dermatological recommendations in choosing a soap generally include:
1) Avoid harsh detergents or drying soaps and use unscented soap.
2) Recommendations how to use soap when one must:
• Use soap sparingly.
• Avoid using washcloths, sponges, or loofahs.
• Use soap only on areas where it is necessary.
• Soap up only at the very end of your bath.
• Use a fragrance-free barrier type moisturizer before drying off.
• Use care when selecting lotion, soap, or fragrance, avoiding suspected allergens. Ask your doctor for
recommendations.
• Never rub your skin dry, or else your skin’s oil/moisture will be on the towel and not your body.
If you have a child or grandchild who suffers with eczema consider the benefits of simply switching to soaps that are chemical free. These soaps are available and taking the time to find and use them for personal care and household cleaning can make a big difference.
References:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detergent
www.medicinenet.com/eczema/article.htm
www.Eczema.org
For more information, please contact Rita or Steve at Nature Rich® :
775-331-6490 or www.phyourbody.com.
