Symptoms of Eczema
Eczema is a common skin condition that can cause bothersome symptoms. Eczema can occur at any age.
What Does Eczema Look Like?
Eczema can look different from each person. Symptoms of eczema include:
- Dark colored patches of skin
- Small, raised bumps
- Rough or thickened areas of skin
- Scaly or cracked skin
- Swollen skin from scratching
What is The Main Cause of Eczema?
Eczema is thought to be related to a gene variation that interferes with your body’s ability to protect your skin. As a result, your skin can be affected by allergies, environmental factors, and irritations including harsh soaps and detergents, sweating, certain foods, and over washing.
Your risk of getting eczema also increases if you or your family has had eczema, allergies, hay fever, or asthma.
Usually, the first sign of eczema is intense itching, following by the appearance of red bumps. The more you scratch your skin, the worse it usually gets.
How Do I Get Rid of Eczema Fast?
Some home remedies can sometimes be effective in treating eczema. These can include:
- Moisturizing twice a day
- Identifying and avoiding triggers like irritating soaps
- Taking shorter baths or showers
- Using gentle soaps
If your eczema persists, your dermatologist may suggest one or more of the following:
- Corticosteroid cream or ointment: To repair the skin and control itching
- Antibiotics: To treat an infection
- Oral Corticosteroids: To fight inflammation
- Laser Therapy: Utilizes controlled amounts of natural sunlight, artificial ultraviolet (UVA) or narrowband ultraviolet (UVB)
Does Eczema Ever Go Away?
It’s very common for your eczema to flare up and go away for a period of time before occurring again. For some, it can go away especially as you get older. For others, it may last a lifetime.
What Foods Trigger Eczema?
Eczema can sometimes be triggered by certain foods, which may include:
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Soy products
- Wheat
If you’d like to test to see if a specific food causes eczema flares ups, temporarily eliminate it from your diet to see if it has any effect.
What Triggers Eczema Flare-Ups?
Eczema triggers can vary from each person and may include:
- Irritants: Soaps, detergents, shampoo, etc.
- Allergens: Pets, pollen, and mold
- Microbes: Certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi
- Temperature Extremes: Very hot or dry temperatures or high/low humidity
- Certain Foods: Dairy products, eggs, nuts, and seeds
- Hormonal Changes in Women: Including during pregnancy and menstruation
- Stress: Doesn’t directly cause eczema but can make it get worse
What Helps Eczema Flare-Ups?
Eczema flare-ups can be treated by avoiding your triggers, trying other home remedies, and talking to your dermatologist about steps to take to help manage your symptoms.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of eczema, make an appointment today with Dermatology Consultants of Short Hills in northern New Jersey. We offer the latest treatments to help control your symptoms.
