Eczema: what it is, causes, types and treatment

There are many different skin diseases that differ in clinical manifestations. One of the common ailments is eczema. Every 6th child and every 10th adult faces it. Chronic disease in humans is manifested by unpleasant symptoms. However, you can get rid of them. A quick cure is possible in cases where the specialist makes the correct diagnosis and promptly prescribes the appropriate treatment. So eczema - what is it? How can one get rid of this disease and avoid its exacerbations in the future?

What is this disease?

In medicine, the term "eczema" is used to refer to the inflammatory process that occurs on the surface layers of the skin. The name of this disease originates in the Greek language. It has the word "eczeo", which in translation means "boil." This value perfectly characterizes the features of eczema (with a disease, vesicles appear on the skin that quickly open).

What is eczema? What it is? Mankind has known the answers to these questions since ancient times. The term "eczema" began to be used by our ancestors around the 2nd century BC. e. This word denoted various skin diseases that occur in acute form. Only in the first half of the last century, eczema was identified by researchers as a separate nosological unit.

Causes of occurrence

When answering the question "Eczema - what is it?" It is worth noting that this disease is polyetiological. This means that the disease can occur for various reasons:

• an important role in the onset and development of the disease is played by exogenous factors (food, drugs, fungal and bacterial agents, chemicals);
• in some patients, the appearance of eczema is associated with exposure to endogenous factors (chronic infections).

Very often, the disease is diagnosed at a young age. Basically, it occurs in those children who have exudative diathesis (a hereditary predisposition of the body to allergies to various irritants). Adults are not safe from the development of eczema.

Types and stages of the disease

There is no universally accepted classification of the disease. The following main types of skin eczema are mentioned in the medical literature:

• true (endogenous);
• seborrheic;
• microbial;
• children’s;
• professional.

For each type of disease, several stages are inherent:

1. Erythematous. Eczema (photo “The initial stage of the disease” can be seen below) is manifested by inflammation that occurs in the form of spots. Gradually they merge with each other.
2. Papular. Small nodules appear on the affected skin with clear boundaries and are painted in a bright red color.
3. Vesicular. The surfaces of the existing nodules are covered with vesicles filled with serous contents.
4. Stage weeping. Bubbles on the skin open. From the resulting point erosion, fluid accumulated during the inflammatory process begins to stand out.
5. Crusty. The liquid on the skin dries up. As a result, crusts of a yellowish tint appear. Under them, the upper layer of the skin is restored.
6. Peeling stage (dry eczema). The flakes and crusts on the surface of the skin begin to gradually disappear.

How does the disease progress?

Each type of eczema is characterized by a specific clinical picture. With a true variety of the disease, the inflammatory process is detected on the face and limbs. The lesions do not have clear boundaries. Some patients complain of a feeling of cold.

Seborrheic eczema - what is it? This type of disease appears, as a rule, in people during puberty. Signs characteristic of eczema are observed in areas where there are sebaceous glands (lesions occur on the scalp, face, neck, shoulder blades, etc.). The disease is accompanied by severe itching.

Microbial eczema occurs in places where there are fistulas, trophic ulcers, infected wounds. First, inflammation begins around the already affected areas of the skin. As the disease progresses, healthy skin integrates into the process. The lesions are round, large. Their borders are exfoliating epidermis.

The disease in children is manifested by symptoms of true, seborrheic and microbial eczema. Most often, the ailment occurs in babies in the first year of life. Children sleep poorly, constantly cry due to itching. Pronounced signs such as swelling, hyperemia, weeping and layering of crusts.

Occupational skin eczema occurs in employees and workers in contact with various chemicals. Lesions appear in exposed areas of the skin. Symptoms quickly disappear when eliminated exposure to chemicals.

Diagnosis of eczema

Diagnosis of the disease begins with a history. The specialist finds out when the patient had the first signs, how eczema appeared (the initial stage), whether the patient has intolerance to any products, whether there were allergic reactions before, or whether provoking factors could affect the body.

After collecting an anamnesis, laboratory tests are prescribed:

• clinical urine analysis;
• biochemical and clinical blood tests;
• determination by the enzyme immunoassay of the level of total immunoglobulin E in blood serum.

The listed studies are required. Additionally, a bacteriological study of skin microflora can be prescribed. Sometimes the results of all diagnostic procedures performed indicate the need to contact other specialists:

• to the gastroenterologist (for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases);
• general practitioner (in the presence of various chronic diseases);
• allergist (for allergy testing);
• neuropsychiatrist (for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system).

Drug treatment

The general treatment is chosen by the doctor individually for each particular case, taking into account endogenous and exogenous factors, due to which the disease developed:

1. Antihistamines are prescribed (Diprazin, Suprastin, Diazolin, Tavegil, Claritin, etc.). They help to eliminate the manifestations of allergies.
2. With edematous syndrome, experts recommend the use of diuretics (for example, "Furosemide").
3. In order to exert a regulatory effect on the immune system, Diutsifon, Methyluracil, Timolin, Pyrogenal, etc. are prescribed.
4. In microbial eczema, antibiotics are indicated (Azithromycin, Ampicillin, Gentamicin, Cefazolin, Linkomycin, etc.).
5. In children with this disease, often specialists find dysbiosis, gastrointestinal enzymes. In this regard, doctors prescribe Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin, Bactisubtil, Bifikol for small patients.

With eczema, treatment can be external. It is prescribed depending on the nature of the inflammatory process, the stage of eczema. In acute course, glucocorticosteroid preparations are recommended: very strong, strong and medium strength. To reduce the severity of inflammation, weak and medium strength drugs are used (for example, aerosols such as Triamcinolone, Oxycyclozole).

Pastes begin to be used when the acute phenomena subside. Recommended products containing ichthyol, sulfur, birch tar, naphthalan oil. The resolution of the inflammatory process that occurs on the skin serves as an indication for the appointment of ointments.

Aniline dyes (diamond green alcohol solution, methylene blue 1-3% aqueous or alcohol solution) can also be recommended by a doctor. They have disinfectant properties, contribute to faster formation and rejection of crusts.

Non-drug treatment

Eczema on the hands: what else to treat ? It is worth noting that the use of drugs is not the only prescription of doctors. In the treatment of the disease, an important role belongs to nutrition. Patients are recommended milk-vegetable diet. A positive effect on the body is exerted by:

• cereals;
• vegetables and fruits;
• Apple juice;
• compotes.

It is recommended to exclude citrus fruits, eggs, meat broths, fatty fish, poultry, nuts, tomatoes, legumes, seafood, mushrooms, mayonnaise and seasonings from the menu. Coffee, cocoa, red wines, carbonated drinks should also be discarded.

With extensive skin lesions, water procedures are undesirable. However, for some patients, experts recommend taking therapeutic baths with herbal decoctions (for example, from chamomile, oak bark). Particular attention should be paid to clothing used. People with eczema should not wear woolen, flannel, synthetic things that increase skin irritation.

Additional expert advice when prescribing treatment for patients are:

• the exclusion of contact with substances and products that can cause an allergic reaction;
• full sleep, the duration of which should be at least 8 hours;
• restriction of stressful situations;
• passing physiotherapeutic treatment (ultraviolet therapy).

Traditional medicine recipes

Some sick people turn to traditional healers for help and ask them how eczema is treated at home. Doctors give the following recipes for inflammatory processes on the skin surface:

1. Prepare gruel from fresh cabbage. Mix it with chicken egg protein. Put the finished mixture under dressings 1 or 2 times a day.
2. Take fresh cabbage leaves. Boil them in milk and mix with bran. From the prepared means make poultices 1 or 2 times a day. A positive effect is noticeable in the wetting stage.
3. If eczema is detected on the hands, how to treat it? Folk healers are advised to prepare a special broth. You need to take twigs of birch, covered with leaves. Put them in a container and boil. In the resulting not too hot broth with branches, lower your hands. Keep them in the liquid for half an hour. During the day, you can still do 1 or 2 treatments.
4. Children suffering from wet eczema can be prepared with walnuts. To do this, take the named ingredient (in shell) in an amount of 3 pieces. Put the walnuts in the oven and do not remove from there until they turn dark brown. After cooking and cooling, grind, adding 1 tsp. fish oil. The finished mixture can lubricate the skin twice a day.
5. This recipe is again the answer to the question if you have eczema on your hands: what to treat? In case of inflammation on the upper extremities caused by the negative influence of detergents, a solution must be prepared (add 1 tsp of soda in 1 liter of cool water). Put your hands in it for 15-20 minutes, and then dip them in warmed sunflower or olive oil. After the procedure, it is not recommended to wash and wipe the skin. This can be done in half an hour.

To treat eczema, you can prepare a special ointment. It is made on the basis of the root of the clefthoof, dried grass of the fireweed, chamomile flowers and leaves of burdock. The steps for preparing a remedy for eczema are as follows:

• the listed ingredients (each taken 20 g) are immersed in a container with 4 glasses of water and put on fire;
• the product is boiled for 25 minutes;
• then add 1 tbsp. to the container l butter, 1 cup of strong broth of hay dust, but they are not removed from the fire (can be put in a water bath);
• the prepared broth is filtered and mixed with an equal amount of glycerin.

Treatment effectiveness

With a correctly diagnosed and timely started therapy, an improvement in the condition of a sick person occurs in about 1 week or a little earlier. The inflammatory process in the affected areas of the skin begins to subside. New spots and nodules no longer appear. Old elements gradually regress. Sick people who have eczema on their fingers, limbs, and other parts of the body stop complaining of constant itching.

Recovery occurs in 20–25 days. However, it is worth noting that eczema is a chronic disease with frequent relapses. Prevention is necessary to prevent exacerbations. When all the recommended measures are followed, the period of remission can last for several years or even for life.

Eczema Prevention

Diseases are easier to prevent than to treat. This is also true for eczema. An important preventive measure is proper skin care. The fact is that an integral process that occurs in the human body is the secretion of sweat. With its evaporation, metabolic products remain on the skin. Fatty grease secreted by the sebaceous glands joins them. The dirt deposited on the skin creates ideal conditions for the growth and development of pathogens.

Regular skin cleansing eliminates the development of the inflammatory process. For hygienic purposes, it is enough to wash the body 1-2 times a week using toilet soap and washcloths. Laundry soap can not be used, because it can cause eczema. Reviews of it indicate that after using it, dryness and irritation of the skin occur.

Showering twice a week is also recommended. Areas subject to the greatest pollution (face, hands, axillary hollows, external genitals, legs) should be washed every day with soap. Facial care deserves special attention. Oily skin should be wiped with degreasing alcohol solutions of salicylic acid (1-2%), tincture of calendula (1 tbsp. Per 1 glass of water). You can purchase special cosmetics. Dry skin owners are advised to use nourishing creams.

Another preventive measure is wearing clothes that do not cause discomfort. It is best to purchase items made from cotton. This material has excellent properties. It absorbs sweat secreted from the body, dries quickly and provides air to the skin cells.

Other preventive measures include:

• exclusion of contact with allergens;
• nutrition adjustment, diet;
• the use of neutral detergents;
• the use of gloves when working with various chemicals.

The disease "eczema" can occur in any person, because it is not rare and, according to statistics, makes up about 30% of all skin diseases. The disease is diagnosed with the same frequency in both women and men. Eczema does not lead to death, but in some cases it proceeds in a very serious form, causing disability. In order not to encounter a disease, you need to follow the recommendations for prevention. If symptoms of eczema appear, you should seek help from specialists.