Eczema is one of the most common skin diseases. About 40% of patients registered with a dermatologist suffer from this disease. The disease is divided into several types. The true origin of eczema can only be determined by a doctor. Proper and timely treatment will help to cope with the problem as quickly as possible.
What is eczema?
Chronic inflammation of the upper layers of the skin is commonly called eczema. The disease can manifest itself in various forms. Allocate professional, seborrheic, microbial, allergic eczema. All these ailments differ from each other in manifestations and complications. Any individual case requires an individual approach. Sometimes the treatment of the disease can take place only in a hospital setting.
Eczema on the arms and legs can be characterized by extensive rashes, weeping lesions, or even bleeding. The psychological discomfort of the patient also in most cases accompanies the disease. This is due to the fact that rashes are most often localized in open areas of the body.
The disease is also characterized by cyclicality. After a little healing, a period of exacerbation usually begins. Therefore, before treating eczema on the hands at home, it is worth consulting with a specialist. Improper therapy can cause irreparable harm to health.
Why does this ailment arise?
Many experts today attribute eczema to the group of idiopathic diseases. The exact cause of its occurrence is still unknown. This problem has been studied by the luminaries of medical science since ancient times. Scientists still managed to identify a number of factors that to one degree or another affect the development of a certain type of eczema.
The least studied today is idiopathic eczema on the hands. How and how to treat the disease can be quite difficult to decide. It all depends on the manifestation of certain symptoms. Some experts believe that the ailment in this form occurs due to excessive emotional and psychological stress of the patient. Depressive states and neuroses in the first place can cause eczema. The risk group also includes people who suffer from diseases of the thyroid gland, digestive organs and diabetes mellitus.
Atopic eczema
People with a high propensity for allergic reactions are at risk. The first manifestations of the disease can be seen after contact with plant pollen, animal hair or cleaning products (shampoo, dishwashing gel, detergent).
Problems can arise in patients with a hereditary predisposition to such atopic diseases as bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, asthmatic bronchitis, etc. To prevent the development of eczema, patients at risk should regularly visit a dermatologist and try not to contact with objects causing allergies.
Microbial and seborrheic eczema
This type of eczema occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to the skin of pathogenic bacteria or fungal microorganisms. Most often, the patient may initially notice a rash on his arms or legs. Untimely treatment of skin lesions in the future will lead to the development of eczema.
Seborrheic eczema, symptoms whose treatment is similar to its microbial form, deserves special attention. The disease develops due to the presence of Malassezia furfur on the skin . This form of the disease is characterized by the need for long-term treatment. The fungus is quite difficult to remove from the body. Skin lesions heal only a little, after which eczema develops again.
Other types of eczema
A rare, but still sometimes encountered ailment, is considered professional eczema in the hands. Symptoms, treatment of the disease depend on the patient's stay at a particular production. Skin lesions develop due to exposure to certain chemicals. This can be formaldehyde, nickel, gasoline, a variety of paints and varnishes.
Occupational eczema can be quite dangerous. The problem is that it initially appears at the point of contact with the chemical. If you do not start treatment in a timely manner, the disease can spread to other areas of the skin.
Children's eczema is another variety of this skin ailment. The disease can develop due to excessive consumption of certain foods by the baby. The reaction most often appears on chocolate, honey and dairy products. Eczema in children can be localized on the forehead, chin and cheeks. On the hands, skin lesions in babies are rare.
Provocative factors
There are a number of factors that can give impetus to the development of the disease in children and adults. First of all, this is malnutrition. The lack of a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals in the daily diet can lead to a decrease in immunity. As a result, the risk of developing eczema increases several times.
Patients prone to allergic reactions to the skin need to monitor the work of the kidneys. Violation of the normal functioning of this organ can provoke the development of skin disease. In this case, before treating eczema on the hands, it is necessary to normalize the work of internal organs. Therapy should be complete and comprehensive.
The risk group includes patients affected by worms. The vital products of these organisms can cause intoxication, which will provoke the development of skin disease. Patients with dysbiosis and intestinal disorders should also pay attention to their health. These unpleasant symptoms can indicate the presence of parasites in the body. A simple laboratory analysis will help to identify them.
Symptomatology
Symptoms of the disease depend on its type. So, idiopathic eczema is characterized by symmetrical rashes, which can be erythematous or vesiculate. The patient may experience severe itching. In no case can you comb the lesions. Such effects can provoke the spread of the disease to other parts of the body.
Atopic eczema is characterized by redness on the skin. As the disease develops, bubble rashes can appear that open and cause weeping. The patient's skin becomes dry and begins to peel off. During an exacerbation of a person’s disease, severe itching can disturb.
The most severe symptoms are microbial eczema on the hands. Treatment, ointments, drugs, non-native remedies will be offered by the doctor only after an accurate diagnosis and identification of the cause of the disease. Initial symptoms may be similar to the atopic form of the disease. Incorrect or untimely treatment can lead to the appearance of pustular skin lesions, characterized by severe pain and fever. Itching with this type of eczema in most cases is absent.
How to treat eczema on the hands?
The principles of treatment of the disease depend on the forms of its manifestation and symptoms. In some cases, the usual local treatment is sufficient. But microbial eczema cannot be eliminated without the use of antibiotics. In this case, the doctor can prescribe medications only after a series of tests.
With allergic eczema, it is first necessary to find out what the patient has a reaction to. Treatment should be comprehensive. It is necessary not only to limit contact with the allergen, but also to provide the patient with peace and proper nutrition. Decisive in this case is the correct selection of ointments to eliminate the consequences of the disease.
Eczema Ointment Treatment
Special drugs with corticosteroids are considered the most effective for combating this ailment. Hormones with anti-inflammatory action contribute to the speedy restoration of the skin and prevent the further development of the disease.
The best ointment for eczema on the hands, according to many dermatologists, is Advantan. The medicine is available in various forms. The most convenient to use is a greasy cream. It is quickly absorbed and removes such manifestations of eczema as redness and itching. Wet areas dry quickly and begin to peel off. "Advantan" should be applied to the affected area of the skin no more than once a day. There are practically no contraindications to the use of the drug. If necessary, the course of therapy can last several months.
Only a doctor can prescribe the right treatment for eczema on the hands. Symptoms and causes should be clarified first. An integrated approach will allow you to quickly get rid of the problem and prevent the development of the disease in the future. Treatment with ointments can also be supplemented with folk remedies.
General drug treatment
Severe eczema can not always be eliminated with ointment alone. If local treatment does not give positive results, the doctor may prescribe additional drugs for internal use. Immunosuppressants can have a good effect. These are drugs that suppress immunity. A doctor may prescribe such drugs as Diprospan, Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone. Medications can be taken in the form of tablets or intramuscular injections. Before treating eczema on the hands, the doctor must determine the tolerance of the drug to the patient. If the disease is mild, therapy can take place at home.
Immunosuppressants have a fairly strong addictive effect. Therefore, the course of treatment should not be long. Before treating eczema on the hands at home, you must definitely visit a dermatologist. After all, only systemic complex therapy will give results.
Folk remedies to help
In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies can also be used. A positive effect is characterized by baths with sea salt. The procedure is carried out twice a day. Special salt is available at the pharmacy. For one liter of boiled water, 10 teaspoons of salt will be enough.
With the help of special herbs, eczema on the hands can also be cured faster. Treatment, causes, folk remedies will tell a specialist. In addition, many recipes for an unpleasant illness are passed on from generation to generation. For example, simple chamomile has an excellent healing and antiseptic effect. With a ready-made broth, you can wipe the affected areas of the skin or make baths.
Another great remedy for eczema is burdock root. A tablespoon of crushed roots is poured with 300 ml of boiling water. After 15 minutes, the infusion can already be applied. A distinctive feature of this treatment is the internal use. In combination with other techniques, burdock root gives very good results. It can also be used for prophylaxis for people suffering from chronic eczema.
Prevention
How to treat eczema on the hands at home, everyone can find out from a dermatologist. But the disease is much easier to prevent than to deal with it. This is especially true for those who suffer from a chronic form of the disease. It should be remembered that the rapid development of the disease contribute to ultraviolet rays. Therefore, with the first symptoms, a bandage should be applied to the affected areas.
If eczema appears on the hands, it is necessary to avoid contact of the affected areas with soap. Hot water can also contribute to the development of the disease. You can clean your hands with the help of special antibacterial agents.