WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Eczema, known medically as atopic (a-TOP-ik) dermatitis
(DER-muh-TIE-tis), is a long-term skin irritation. It can come
and go for months or even years, and often accompanies other
allergic problems such as asthma or hay fever. There is no cure
for the problem, but the symptoms can be managed. The disease
will not spread from person to person.
Causes
The cause of eczema is unknown.
It tends to affect people with a family history of atopic
dermatitis or other allergic problems. It can be brought on by
stress, food, or other irritants. Certain chemicals and fabrics
may also trigger the problem.
Signs/Symptoms
In young children, the problem
surfaces as a red, itchy, oozing, crusted rash on the face,
scalp, diaper area, arms, and legs. In older children and
adults the rashes may appear as dry, red, scaly patches on the
eyelids, neck, and wrists, and in the folds of the elbows and
knees, neck, hands, feet, genital area (between the legs), and
around the rectum.
Care
Medicine may be used to relieve
the itching.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
To relieve itching and rash use the medication your
doctor prescribed exactly as directed. Over-the-counter
steroid creams may prove helpful, but check with your
doctor before using any nonprescription
medications.
-
To relieve the problem in young children, take the
following steps:
-
Give the child short baths or showers (10 minutes)
in warm water. You may add nonperfumed bath oil to the
bath water. It is best to avoid soap; if necessary, use a
nondrying soap. Do not use any soap on the rash itself.
NEVER use bubble bath.
-
Immediately after a bath or shower, when the skin
is still damp, apply a moisturizing cream to the entire
body. This will seal in moisture and help prevent
dryness.
-
Keep your child's fingernails cut short. Wash the
youngster's hands often. Because scratching makes the
rash and itching worse, you may need to put soft gloves
or mittens on the child at night.
-
Dress the child in clothes made of cotton or cotton
blends. Avoid wool and synthetic fibers. Don't dress your
child too warmly.
-
Avoid feeding the youngster cow's milk, peanut
butter, eggs, wheat or other foods that may cause
flare-ups.
-
Keep the child away from anyone that has fever
blisters. The virus that produces fever blisters can
cause a serious skin infection in children with
eczema.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
Itching interferes with sleep.
-
The rash gets worse or is not better after 7 days of
treatment.
-
The rash develops pus or soft yellow
scabs
-
A high temperature develops.
-
The rash flares up after contact with someone who has
fever blisters.
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