Histologically, there are three stages of eczema: acute, subacute, and chronic. An eczematous disease may start at any stage and evolve into another.
People with mild eczema may only have small areas of dry skin that are occasionally itchy. In more severe cases, atopic eczema can cause widespread inflamed skin all over the body and constant itching. Inflamed skin can become red on lighter skin, and darker brown, purple or grey on darker skin.
People with severe eczema (or severe atopic dermatitis) may experience periods of intense skin itching or burning sensation. They may even feel like they are being poked with needles. Those with the most severe forms may experience these symptoms daily.
Potential eczema triggers include skin irritants, foods, inhaled allergens, climate, environmental factors, hormones, and stress (NICE, 2007).
The rash will also be dry during the healing stage rather than blistered and oozing like it was during the acute stage.
Keeping your skin's moisture intact is one of the most important things you can do to help control your eczema or atopic dermatitis. Moisturizers and lotions help protect the outermost layer of skin known as the stratum corneum or skin barrier.
Foods to Avoid if You Have Eczema
Certain foods, including nuts, milk, and wheat, can trigger the release of inflammation-causing T cells and immunoglobulin-E. Other foods that commonly cause eczema flare ups include eggs, dairy, soy, citrus, tomatoes, gluten, and even some spices such as cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Foods to Avoid for Eczema:
Added artificial sugars, trans-fats, processed meat, red meat, refined carbs, and dairy all cause inflammation in the body. Foods containing nickel. Nickel is an ingredient known to encourage symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema.
In addition to food allergies, eczema has been associated with quite a few nutritional deficiencies too and it's been revealed that eczema patients are more predisposed to zinc-deficiency as well as low levels of vitamin A & D.
Eczema tends to reach a peak of intensity between the ages of two and four years old, although in a few cases symptoms will continue into the teen years and beyond. During this time, it most commonly affects the skin inside the elbows and behind the knees.
Vegetables and fruits that are high in inflammation-fighting flavonoids: Apples, broccoli, cherries, blueberries, spinach, and kale. Flavonoids have been found to help improve the overall health of a person's skin and fight problems such as inflammation (which is associated with eczema).
food allergies – such as allergies to cows' milk, eggs, peanuts, soya or wheat. certain materials worn next to the skin – such as wool and synthetic fabrics. hormonal changes – women may find their symptoms get worse in the days before their period or during pregnancy. skin infections.
An effective, intensive treatment for severe eczema involves applying a corticosteroid ointment and sealing in the medication with a wrap of wet gauze topped with a layer of dry gauze.
Bacterial skin infections
As atopic eczema can cause your skin to become cracked and broken, there's a risk of the skin becoming infected with bacteria. The risk is higher if you scratch your eczema or do not use your treatments correctly. Signs of a bacterial infection can include: fluid oozing from the skin.
There are other skin conditions that can resemble eczema or psoriasis, including ringworm, athlete's foot, scabies, herpes and contact dermatitis. Unlike psoriasis and eczema, some of these conditions are highly contagious.
Drinking alcohol often dries out the skin, as well as dilating the blood vessels, meaning eczema becomes more red, itchier and uncomfortable.
Potassium-High Foods
Food items such as bananas, avocados and sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, which is another inflammation-fighting component that can help reduce the symptoms of eczema.
If you can, use ointments (which tend to be more effective than creams or lotions) if you have very dry skin. Ointments such as emulsifying ointment are greasier and harder to apply, but good for very dry or scaly areas and tend not to sting. Creams that can be effective include aqueous cream and sorbolene cream.
Drinking plenty of water is a basic way of keeping your body healthy and hydrated. However, drinking lots of water, by itself, will not cure eczema. Some research suggests drinking soft water may be better for eczema sufferers that drinking hard water.
The most effective way to treat dry skin is to give it the moisture it needs. Proper bathing and moisturizing are important for this reason — especially if you have eczema. The best way to replace moisture in the skin is to soak in a bath or take a shower and then moisturize immediately afterward.