In medical dictionaries, the definition of eczema is as follows: "A general term applied to a variety of dermatitis characterized by an allergic reaction to one or more substances that may be present in the skin. The substances can be allergenic or nonallergenic; the reaction is also sometimes associated with immunological factors and environmental antigens." The definition of eczema provided by a medical dictionary is also inclusive of vesicular myiasis. Myiasis generally affects the lower leg and ankle areas. It is a chronic, often recurrent disease affecting people in all ages.
Eczema mostly affects children below the age of five. At the age of five, most children have at least one red, dry, itchy rash on the bottom of their foot. The dry area usually turns into scaly, cracking skin with the appearance of an atrophic lesion. It is important to note that this definition of eczema includes not just the presence of atrophic lesion, but also includes the fact that at any age, a child can experience itching, inflammation, redness, oozing or bleeding from the affected area.
Eczema can be triggered by many things. Allergens such as dust, pollens, molds, animal dander, cosmetics, preservatives, tight clothing, cosmetics, fragrances and hormones can trigger eczema in children. Another major cause of dermatitis is the use of certain medications such as corticosteroids, oral contraceptives and lithium. People with a family history of allergic conditions such as hay fever or asthma are at an increased risk of developing eczema. Family members, including children, who suffer from atopic dermatitis are also at risk.
The precise etiology of this condition is not known, although it is believed that it is a genetic condition. There are no clear genetic links to familial hand eczema, although about half of the families that have had this disease have a history of susceptibility to atopy. There has been some speculation that the disease might be an inherited trait. Other causes include allergic exposure to environmental substances such as smoke, mold and cosmetics, food allergies, exercise, cosmetics, preservatives, certain medications and yeast infections.
Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is a chronic form of systemic Lupus erythematosus, is characterized by symptoms such as itchiness, redness, thickening, rash, and muscle weakness. It is important to note that even though SLE is not considered a true eczema disorder, it is often misdiagnosed and reported to be so. In addition, it often takes months or years for the symptoms to manifest. Another interesting condition closely related to SLE is vesicular eczema, which results from exposure to a bacterium that causes soreness, swelling, burning and cracking of the skin. Vespelix, an ointment used to treat SLE, has also been shown to help treat chronic acral dermatitis.
Discoid eczema is the most common form of this disease. This condition affects approximately one in five people of all ages and is characterized by flaps of skin that are characterized by persistent redness and itchiness. Eczema of the scalp, known as seborrheic eczema, is characterized by patches of dry skin that are surrounded by a greasy layer of scalp hair. Cystic fibrosis, a genetic skin disorder characterized by a pooling of fluids under the skin, can also result in discoid eczema and other similar conditions.
Detergents can cause dermatitis. Certain types of detergents, such as phosphates and nitrates, can cause the skin to become irritated or inflamed. It is not uncommon for cases of detergent-induced dermatitis to appear after using certain branded products that contain these ingredients. While detergents can irritate eczematous skin, they have been found to be effective in combating the symptoms of dermatitis, especially where the ailment is located on the scalp.
Contact sensitivity is another interesting characteristic that can be found in a case of eczema. Individuals who have this affliction find that they develop blisters or welts on their fingers, regardless of what is actually being rubbed. The blisters may appear as red pimple bumps, but they may also develop into white blisters with an urge to curl up into a ball. People with contact sensitivity sometimes find themselves picking at the blister to try and get rid of it, but this action actually aggravates the condition. Eczema sufferers who pick at the lesions found around their fingertips have been found to suffer from more intense outbreaks than those who avoid picking. The disease is defined by itching, irritation, inflammation and the presence of a rash.